The Rocky Mountain Collegian

The Billiken AirExpress, the University's own 1976 King Air B100, is being shut down. Financial reasons, specifically the rising costs of aviation insurance and fuel, have been cited as the cause of the closure.

"There is hardly any way to contain those kinds of costs," said Alan Stolzer, Ph.D., associate dean for Parks College, of the insurance and fuel rates. "The program has been running at a deficit."

"Students and the captain maintained every aspect of the plane, making it as cost-effective as it could be," he said.

Billiken AirExpress began in November 1998. Since then, it has been used both as transportation for members of the SLU community and as an advanced training tool for professional pilot students.

"I've never seen an airplane put to use as well as this one was," said Tim Akey, chief pilot of the Billiken AirExpress. "Our plane was used two to three times more than the average corporate department would use a similar plane."

Trips have included medical and professional conferences, meetings and athletic scouting.

"We try to make their [SLU community members'] lives easier and their work more efficient," Akey said.

Akey has served as chief pilot since the program's inception, and two other alternative pilots, Stephen Belt and Jenny Zahn, also fly the King Air.

The Billiken AirExpress also participated in the Angel Flight Network, Akey said. About once a month, patients who could otherwise not afford to travel would be delivered to hospitals for treatment.

"Those trips were a lot of fun," Akey said.

Students also received professional pilot training, serving as co-pilots on the Billiken AirExpress. Through such experience, they were able to receive high-altitude and high-performance endorsements. Although such training is valuable, it is elective and students can graduate without it, Stolzer said.

"We are certainly examining different ways to get the advanced training," he said. Possible options include simulation or agreements with other flight organizations. "The department will be submitting a plan to the college for approval."

"The experience they got with me was real-world," Akey said. "If they do not get it, I think they will be at a disadvantage."

"We have certainly enjoyed providing this service," Stolzer said of the Billiken AirExpress. "It has been a good way for Parks to connect with the University."

"The University bought it [the plane] well and used it well," Akey said. "I think they're going to miss it."

The Billiken AirExpress will continue to fly until next Saturday.

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