Albatross Air, Inc.
Because "A" comes first in the phonebook.
Recognizing a growing need for aviation service in southern West Virginia, Tim Kearns saw his business idea take flight in 1985. At first, Albatross Air strictly provided maintenance. Now, in addition to maintenance, the company offers charter service, flight instruction, pilot service and aircraft management.
In a December 2007 article for National Geographic, Carl Safina observed, "An albatross is the grandest living flying machine on Earth." But Tim Kearns, who remains the company president, simply chose the name since "A" came first in the phonebook. Employees found humor in the name after Walt Disney Pictures released The Rescuers Down Under (1990). In this animated film, John Candy provided the voice for Wilbur, an albatross who ran his own company—Albatross Air.
In its beginning, Albatross Air employed one maintenance technician. Shop space increased dramatically in 1998 when the company moved into the old terminal building at Raleigh County Memorial Airport. An additional hangar enlarged the company's square footage again in 2007. Sandwiched between these acquisitions, Albatross Air entered its first arrangement of aircraft management. And as the family-owned business grew, the family owning the business grew, as well. To date, the company has employed all but one of Tim's immediate family, and through the second generation, Albatross Air continues to expand.
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