From the Flight Deck

Yet, also so hard to imagine that Thanksgiving is even upon us, right? The year has flown by (that was not an intended pun!). But seriously folks – and we know we say this every year – where the heck did the year go???

One reason time flew by so fast – we were incredibly busy working with multiple partners building up to our awesome event celebrating the commissioning of Marshfield Municipal Airport’s new electric aircraft and ground vehicle charging stations. And doubly, triply proud to say the only electric aircraft charging station in the entire state of Massachusetts!

And that was the second time we ramped up. Recall we had planned the event for June, and had lined up Senator Edward Markey as our special guest speaker. Unfortunately, the weather did not cooperate (as in, it rained for about two weeks straight). The surprise extra-special guest, BETA Technologies’ electric aircraft ALIA 250, couldn’t fly in and we had to scrub the event until the next day possible to have ALIA join us. And, unfortunately, Senator Markey couldn’t make it that day.

In addition to all the great press coverage the event received, we wrote eight stories for posting to our website – each one based on the eight speakers who talked about their chapters in the mission of aiding emissions reduction through advancing electric aviation. Transcribing eight speakers’ meaningful words and relaying their import and interconnections, accompanied by fabulous photos and video taken by BETA Technologies, was a whole lot of fun. Our story package is available right here for you to enjoy with a morning cup of your favorite hot beverage.

Speakers included:

• Colleen D’Alessandro, New England Region Regional Administrator of the FAA
• Keith Douglass, President and CEO of Shoreline
• Geoff Douglass, chief charger instigator
• Blain Newton, Chief Operating Officer of BETA Technologies
• Jeff DeCarlo, MassDOT Aeronautics Administrator
• Tilak Subrahmanian, Vice President of Energy Efficiency and Electric Mobility at Eversource
• State Sen. Patrick O’Connor, Senate Climate Control & Global Warming Committee
• Marshfield Town Administrator Michael Maresco

Shoreline Aviation’s electric charging station event crowd gather around ALIA 250.

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The story behind the story

For those who have no idea what we’re rambling about, here’s the shortish version.

In 2019, Geoff Douglass – Shoreline President Keith Douglass’s son and Shoreline employee – determined that it was imperative for aviation generally and Shoreline Aviation/Marshfield Municipal Airport specifically to do something to help curb greenhouse gas emissions in the industry and at the airport with its fragile environment. Electric aircraft were becoming more than a gleam of inspiration. And look at them emerging now – the long-term future of emissions-free flight looks seriously promising.

The folks at NASA’s Advanced Air Mobility program introduced Geoff to electric aviation pioneer BETA Technologies, formed in 2017 to design and build electric aircraft and charging stations. They quickly clicked. And Geoff ventured the idea that electric flight would be well served by local airports, instead of focusing on vertical takeoff sites in urban centers, as only some electric aircraft were eVTOL (electric vertical takeoff and landing) designs. The short version continuing, BETA agreed to install an electric aircraft charging station at Marshfield Municipal Airport, which Shoreline runs. But there was hitch. They needed more electric power to handle a heavy metal Level 3 charger.

Enter power company Eversource, who could run lines down the street to do that.

But another hitch – how would this power increase expense be paid? What could be the funding source?

Enter Massachusetts Department of Transportation’s Aeronautics Division.

Geoff spoke with the division’s director, Jeff DeCarlo, who emphasized to Eversource the significance of the coming wave of electric aircraft, especially in light of the governor’s stated objective for Massachusetts to become emissions-neutral by 2050. With the state championing this project, Eversource installed the additional electric infrastructure necessary to power the charging stations utilizing the Make Ready Program—the company’s EV charging rebate program. To validate including powering electric aircraft charging, Eversource and BETA teamed up to include roadside ground vehicle chargers, as well.

The charging station commissioning event – held on a gorgeous October day – was a fantastic success. BETA flew in its ALIA 250 electric aircraft the day before, and the Shoreline staff had the chance to talk to technicians and pilots and even just gawk at this incredible plane. And the day of was a treat for all – good talks, fun looks at an actual electric plane, and at the end the dramatic takeoff of ALIA 250 as it resumed its voyage south for eventual testing with the Air Force in Florida.

The thought that the future of aviation is here, now, ran strong throughout. As did the knowledge that Shoreline Aviation at Marshfield Municipal Airport has the only electric aircraft charging station in all of our great state of Massachusetts!

And now, the looming question: Where are the electric aircraft and when will they get here? As the saying goes – build it, and they will come.

All electric ALIA 250 receives her inaugural charge at Marshfield Municipal Airport.

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Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!

We are so grateful to have such a fantastic charter clientele – and for so many wonderful referrals! And for all the aircraft owners who entrust their gems with Shoreline to care for as if they were our own. We sincerely appreciate those folks who we’re privileged to assist with purchases and sales. We’re deeply grateful to our many operators who choose to house their aircraft at the airport. Likewise to the many fliers who trust our renown maintenance department to provide superb, professional care for their aircraft.

We’re deeply grateful for the town of Marshfield to continue to entrust Shoreline with its FBO services – 42 years and counting! We’re also grateful to so many new and old friends and industry connections – such as all the incredible professionals involved with the electric charging station installation and commissioning, including the FAA, BETA Technologies, MassDOT Aeronautics, Eversource, our legislative delegation, Marshfield Airport Commissioners and town officials, and many fans of KGHG and Shoreline.

We’re grateful for all the flight students who select Shoreline instructors to guide them through the schooling and training to assist them in joining the thousands of private pilots taking to the sky. And we are deeply grateful to our fabulous staff, without whom Shoreline could not exist. As Keith says, “A captain is only as good as his crew.” And he means it.

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Have you considered private charter flights for your business or family?

You likely already know many benefits of chartering flights. Such as, when chartering you get to travel where you want, when you want. You get to skip all the long lines at commercial airports, you get relaxed privacy aboard, and you get to meet, chat or just chill as you wish.

Shoreline’s Charter Team can take you to over 5,000 public access airports in the US and many more globally. That’s 10 times the locations commercial airlines can go to just in the States. Your time, your schedule, your way.

If you think this makes sense for you, please visit us online here, or call Shoreline Aviation at Marshfield Municipal Airport KGHG at 888.291.JETS or 781.834.4928 and chat with our Charter Team. And you can click here for a charter quote. It is not inexpensive. But you get what you pay for!

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Thanks for your connection with Shoreline Aviation! If you enjoyed this month’s newsletter, please feel free to pass it along to like-minded people. They’re welcome to sign up for our free newsletter on our website.

Wishing you a joyful holiday season!

Your friends at Shoreline

About Shoreline Aviation

Shoreline Aviation, Inc. has been offering premier aviation services for 42 years. An FAA Certified Air Carrier since 1981, Shoreline operates a versatile fleet of turboprop, light jet, midsize jet, and large cabin jet aircraft. The company is headquartered in Marshfield, MA, where it is the Fixed Base Operator (FBO) at Marshfield Municipal Airport. Shoreline also has an office at Palm Beach International Airport. The company offers aircraft management, sales and acquisitions, executive and personal charter services, FBO services, aircraft maintenance, airport management services, flight lessons, and more. To learn more about Shoreline Aviation, call 888.291.JETS (5387), visit www.shorelineaviation.net, or email info@shorelineaviation.net.

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