From the Flight Deck

Happy New Year, Shoreline friends! A great year it was, and a great year 2026 will be. Please join in as we take a look back at many highlights of 2025. You can read the full stories by following the links.

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Shoreline adds new Pilatus PC-12 NGX turboprop to its fleet

The addition of a new 2024 Pilatus PC-12 NGX turboprop aircraft to its managed fleet put Shoreline Aviation, the fixed base operator of Marshfield Municipal Airport on Massachusetts’ historic South Shore, in an even more admirable position. Shoreline added a stablemate for its PC-12 NG, a workhorse turboprop aircraft already partnering with the company’s fleet of Citation 560XL series and Falcon 2000LX jets. The NGX was subsequently added to Shoreline’s charter certificate.

Shoreline Aviation President Keith Douglass, right, takes delivery of the new Pilatus PC-12 NGX from Mike Kenny, of ProStar Aviation of Londonderry, N.H.

“This is a great New England airplane,” says Shoreline Aviation President Keith Douglass. “It has tremendous short-field capability, so it can land at most local airfields. We love its versatility, its safety record, and the economics of running it. It’s a favorite among business people for its efficiency, affordability, and range. And people going skiing or hunting can get into places other planes can’t.”

The NGX’s primary base is at Norwood Memorial Airport in Southeastern Massachusetts.

You can read more about the NGX here.

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Sea turtle rescue season wraps for Shoreline

A decade flew by with Shoreline staffers aiding volunteer pilots, the New England Aquarium, and NOAA Fisheries transport rescued sea turtles to rehab facilities. Here on the Cape Cod end of the Gulf of Maine we see an immediate impact of a water warming trend, with sea turtles roaming farther and farther north in search of food, which they find plentiful in the relatively shallow Gulf. But, as we’ve reported, these creatures often find themselves stuck here when they try to head back south in the fall. How? They tend to follow the coastline, which often gets them caught in Cape Cod Bay by the Cape’s long curve. They become “cold stunned” by the increasingly cold water and can no longer move on their own, washing onto the beachy shore, where they are rescued by volunteers.

Kate Sampson is a Sea Turtle Stranding and Disentanglement Coordinator with NOAA Fisheries. Sea turtles are protected under the Endangered Species Act, and her mission is to reduce mortality.

NOAA Sea Turtle Stranding and Disentanglement Coordinator Kate Sampson helps direct a sea turtle loading onto a plane. Photo courtesy of Kate Sampson

“Thank you so much for a wonderful cold-stunned sea turtle season,” she wrote to the Shoreline crew at the conclusion of the 2024-2025 stranding season. “We really appreciate your help. Your team is always willing to dive in and help with whatever is needed – loading turtles, fueling quickly, moving planes into the hangar, lending the crew car. You’re generous with your time, always friendly, and just generally a joy to work with. There is a reason why Marshfield Airport is our favorite airport for sea turtle transports!”

Sampson told Shoreliners that 421 turtles were transported this season to long-term rehab out of state – 72 by ground and 349 via flight, coordinated with transport organization Turtles Fly Too. Rehabilitating turtles went to 22 receiving facilities in 11 states, and 10 turtles were transported to Florida for release.

Of 15 Massachusetts flights, nine went from Marshfield, the others mostly from Norwood Memorial Airport. Shoreline Aviation staffers help load turtles onto volunteer planes, and Shoreline offers volunteer pilots ample fuel discounts and eliminates tie-down fees, as well as freeing up warm hangar space for loading on cold days.

The 25-26 turtle rescue season began in October. Read about that here.

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Flight instructor joins the Shoreline team

A new flight instructor joined Shoreline’s team early in 2025. Ben Diamond teaches up-and-coming pilots as one of the company’s FAA certified flight instructors.

When Ben was 16 his dad took him on an introductory plane flight at Norwood Memorial Airport (KOWD). “I was so enamored, I didn’t even know what to ask. I didn’t know what I didn’t know,” Ben said. “From then on I wanted to know more about it; I had to start learning.”

Ben Diamond

The Mansfield resident trained for his private pilot’s license – which he earned at 21 in 2018 – at Bridgewater State University’s Division of Aviation Science. He earned his certification as a flight instructor in May 2023. To do that he needed his private pilot certificate as well as a commercial certificate and successfully complete Flight Instructor Airplane and Fundamentals of Instruction written exams.

You can read Ben’s story here.

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Shoreline ownership celebrates 37 years

Want to know the secret of Shoreline Aviation’s success? They keep it simple.

Charter flight is the core of Shoreline’s business model, but its other services are also hugely important. The company manages fuel sales, hangar space, tie-downs and other services. They handle aircraft sales, acquisitions, and management. And the company’s maintenance department is renowned for its excellence, including being one of only two authorized Piper aircraft service centers in New England.

KGHG admin/terminal building

In 1988 two young men from the South Shore purchased the then struggling company, founded in 1981. And then the future happened. One partner, Ed Novak, handled the maintenance department. Senior partner Keith Douglass took on the rest. And the rest, as they say, is history.

So, what’s so simple about Shoreline’s success? You can read about it here.

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Shoreline’s Ben Garman assumes leadership hat at MAMA

To understand the significance of Ben Garman’s new role with the Massachusetts Airport Management Association is to understand the significance of MAMA. The organization, representing all 38 public use airports in the state, was founded in 1972 to promote and protect the interests of the general aviation community in Massachusetts. Its mission is “To promote general aviation by fostering a healthy state airport system.”

Ben approaches the mission from his experience of 12 years with Shoreline. Ben worked as a line service technician starting in 2013, when he began his studies at Bridgewater State University. He graduated cum laude in 2018 and went full time with Shoreline. His skills, knowledge and effort were rewarded three years ago when he was named Assistant Airport Manager.

And last spring Ben was appointed co-chair of MAMA’s Emerging Leaders Committee.

Marshfield Airport Assistant Manager Ben Garman updates the MAMA membership at its quarterly meeting in April. Photo courtesy of David Dinneen

“The Emerging Leaders Committee was formed in 2022 to continue development of MAMA by establishing a pipeline that engages professionals under 35 or with 10 years or less experience in the aviation industry,” Ben said. “Its core goal is to strengthen the commitment of the next generation of MAMA leaders to step into leadership roles.”

Read more of Ben’s story here.

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Shoreline Aviation hosts attendees at MBAA Aviation Day

The Massachusetts Business Aviation Association’s mission is to inform, educate, and advocate on topics that impact the state’s business and general aviation industry. More than 300 members, including a Shoreline Aviation team manning an informative booth, led by company President Keith Douglass, came together in March to mingle, share insight, and foster endearing and enduring relationships during the organization’s 12th annual Aviation Day.

The boisterous event filled fixed base operator Jet Aviation’s hangar at Hanscom Field in Bedford. Passed platters of delicious hors d’oeuvres, tables topped with delectable dishes, and a couple of well stocked open bars fueled the festivities. So did the jets that attendees got to explore, such as the splashy Dassault Falcon 8X, the pristine Cessna Citation Longitude, and the two-fisted Pilatus PC-24.

Patrick Olson discusses business with an Aviation Day attendee, as Shoreline staffers man the booth.

“One thing that many people don’t know about MBAA is that we have a scholarship program, and annually we give out between $15,000 and $20,000 to students who are from Massachusetts and studying aviation at their respective colleges around the country,” said MBAA President Dave Richter. “Over the course of our program we’ve given out over $125,000 to those students,

Shoreline reps fielded questions and offered company insights to visitors throughout the evening.

You can read more here.

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Shoreline sponsors, plays in Boys & Girls Club of Marshfield Golf Classic

Shoreline Aviation fielded a feisty foursome to swing away in the Boys & Girls Club of Marshfield’s 11th annual Golf Classic. Shoreline President Keith Douglass, Pilot Mike James, Charter Operations Manager Patrick Olson, and Line Service Technician Steve Dery lathered on the lotion before zipping off in their carts for the shotgun start at Marshfield Country Club. It’s not their first time chipping for the cause.

Shoreline Aviation foursome Keith Douglass, left, Patrick Olson, Mike James, and Steve Dery prepare to head out to the course for the Boys & Girls Club of Marshfield 11th annual Golf Classic.

Funds raised target at-risk kids, food insecurity, homelessness, kids fighting battles with illness, and families in transition time. To hit this year’s $110,000 goal, Golf Classic organizers needed 144 golfers. They also needed sponsors.

“Thank you, Shoreline Aviation!” exclaimed Boys & Girls Club CEO Jim Bunnell. “They’ve been a sponsor and supporter of the Boys & Girls Club every year since I’ve been involved – over eight years.”

Read more about this event here.

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Restored signs recall impact of George Harlow at KGHG

Marshfield Airport has come a long way since Joseph and Helen Ford built it out in the late 1940s. They created a sod runway 2,500 feet long and opened for business in 1948. Jump ahead 77 years and look at the impact made by one George D. Harlow.

George Harlow served on the Marshfield Airport Commission for 45 years, from 1964 until his death in 2009 at age 86. The town purchased the airport in 1965, paved the runway in 1968 and again in 1983, and in 2001 renovated a barn on the property into what is now the airport terminal and administration building.

George worked on plans for a major safety improvement project – initiating in 2002 and culminating this year – until his passing.

The restored George D. Harlow Airfield sign greets visitors from the airport ramp.

It’s no wonder the town of Marshfield honored George by naming Marshfield Municipal Airport the George D. Harlow Airfield. And now the signs commemorating the designation 23 years ago have been restored to new. They are on stunning display at the airport’s terminal and administration building. One sign welcomes visitors from the parking lot. The principal sign welcomes guests approaching from the ramp, where aircraft drop off passengers flying in.

You can read more here.

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Shoreline lands experienced hands

Longtime aviation professionals Travis Barth and Peter Wood joined Shoreline Aviation this fall. Travis is working in charter sales and flight logistics. Peter is focusing on charter sales and aircraft management.

Travis is from the Midwest and lately a Duxbury, Massachusetts, resident. He earned a BS degree in Professional Aeronautics from Embry Riddle Aeronautical University, and shares his home with his wife (an advertising sales director), two sons, and two dogs. He also studied Aviation Technology at the University of Cincinnati. Travis holds a private pilot certificate with an instrument rating.

Travis Barth

“I began my career with a large aircraft management company,” he said. “Then I worked for a charter broker for a long time, but we didn’t control the product; it was rare to even talk to the pilots. I had to urge to get back with an aircraft operator.”

You can read more about Travis here.

Peter used to live in Massachusetts but had been living and working in Colorado for years. Wanting to return to the Bay State opened the door to his landing at Shoreline. An opening for his services in charter sales and aircraft management allowed the opportunity to return here to play out for him and his wife, who share two daughters and two grandchildren. The Woods quickly began looking at homes.

Peter Wood

“I’ve been doing this kind of work for 40 years,” Peter said. “I want to help grow the fleet, by working with different clientele and especially with folks in the area who are purchasing aircraft and need a management company. I show them the many benefits of working with Shoreline.”

You can read more about Peter here.

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These bonding ladies take to the air with Shoreline Aviation

Just over 10% of all American certified pilots are women. And only a little more than 5% of American commercial pilots are women. But a local group of female flight students just may give a bump to those numbers.

Cruise on over to Shoreline Aviation at Marshfield Airport and you could come across any of these close-knit ladies setting out in one of the company’s Piper Warrior training planes.

We’re talking about what Shoreline President Keith Douglass calls “this group of inspiring female pilots that are a big part of the Shoreline family.”

Isabella DiRusso, Andrea Hewett, Varvara Karenski, Helen Lin, and Abby Marinelli are in various stages of their training by Shoreline’s team of certified flight instructors, but they all share the passion and determination to fly. And they love the bonding they’ve made with each other along the way.

Varvara Karenski, left, Andrea Hewett, Isabella DiRusso, Abby Marinelli, and Helen Lin have become fast flying friends through Shoreline Aviation’s flight school.

These students were joined in their enthusiasm for a female focus on flight training by Alex Doyle, who recently joined Shoreline as a certified flight instructor.

“Working with a group of women passionate about aviation and supporting one another during training is incredibly rewarding,” she said. “Their energy, determination, and strong sense of community make for a truly inspiring environment, and it’s exciting to see them grow into confident, capable pilots together.”

You can read the ladies’ story here.

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KGHG’s ramp repave project wraps after five months

Probably the biggest story of 2025 left Marshfield Airport with a dazzling, beautifully reconstructed main ramp – as well as the far-flung east ramp (past the hangars) and its access road, after five fast months.

The planning of the airport’s safety improvement project began in 2002. A dozen years and dozens of hearings later, in 2014, and Phase 1 was done. That phase saw the 3,000-foot x 75-foot runway expanded to 3,900 feet x 100 feet, designed to allow aircraft to take off and land more safely.

And now the ramp reconstruction project ensures continued operational safety and environmental compliance, bringing the airport to current FAA standards.

Shoreline charter flights carry on despite the torn up main ramp.

The airport access road leads to the airport’s fuel farm, hangars, and the east ramp area, which was redone initially as part of this project phase. The east ramp has large white lettering of “MARSHFIELD” painted onto it, as before, so that pilots have no doubt where they are when approaching the airport. That and a giant white and blue compass rose make location clear.

You can read many progress reports and the wrap up here.

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These are some of Shoreline Aviation’s highlights for 2025. You can read all about them and more at Shoreline’s website Newsroom. And learn more about the expansive Shoreline mission at www.shorelineaviation.net.

Happy New Year, and here’s to a vigorous, exciting 2026!