Central Coast Jet Center

What Central Coast Jet Center does

Central Coast Jet Center (CCJC) is a family-owned Fixed Base Operator (FBO) headquartered at Santa Maria Airport (SMX) in California, founded in 2003 by the Kunkle family, a three-generation aviation lineage anchored by decorated WWII P-38 aviator James W. Kunkle. The company's core product is an integrated FBO offering that includes jet fuel (Jet A) and Avgas 100LL (full-service and self-serve), short-term ramp rental and long-term hangar rental, professional ground support (towing, AC/DC GPU, air start, nitrogen/oxygen, lavatory, potable water, cabin cleaning, cargo handling, passenger stairs), aircraft management, and concierge coordination with on-airport Radisson lodging and Avis/Hertz ground transport.

The underlying infrastructure is the platform: 215,000 square feet of ramp space stressed to 400,000 lbs, 26,600 square feet of combined office and hangar facilities including a 17,000 sq ft hangar sized for Gulfstream G-650 class aircraft, and an 8,004-foot ILS runway (RWY 12) with quick taxi times and no SFO/LAX-area ATC delays. CCJC also operates as a US Forest Service Airtanker Base with three retardant reloading pits expandable to four, able to accommodate VLATs for wildfire suppression, and is contracted under the US Government DESC fuel program supporting military operations up to and including C-17s and U-2 high-altitude missions.

CCJC makes money through five revenue streams: (1) transaction-based fuel sales across contract programs with AvFuel, UVAir, World Fuel Services, AEG Fuels, and US Government DESC; (2) subscription-based hangar and ramp storage ranging from nightly rentals to multi-year leases; (3) transaction-based ground support services; (4) professional services for aircraft management and custom facility build-out; and (5) professional concierge and catering coordination. Its customer base spans private and corporate jet operators (Gulfstream, Boeing 767 BBJ), charter operators (Allegiant, Sun Country, Northern Air Cargo), trans-Pacific ferry flights to Hawaii, Guam, and Australia, the US military, the US Forest Service, medical evacuation operators (Reach EC135), and airtanker firefighting operators (10 Tanker DC-10). The company uses an enterprise field-sales motion primarily through on-site FBO relationships, online reservations via FlightBridge, and NBAA-driven industry visibility, operating as the closest mainland US FBO to Hawaii and marketing itself as the West Coast's premier trans-Pacific tech stop.

Name

Central Coast Jet Center

Legal name

Central Coast Jet Center

Website

https://centralcoastjetcenter.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2003

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Family-owned Fixed Base Operator at Santa Maria Airport (SMX) providing jet fuel, hangar storage, ground support, and concierge services to corporate/private jets, trans-Pacific tech-stop flights to Hawaii, US military, and Forest Service airtanker operations.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Aviation Ground Services

NAICS

Airport Operations (48811), Other Airport Operations (488119)

SIC

Airports, Flying Fields & Airport Terminal Services (4581)

akta.pro primary industry

Private Aviation Terminals & FBO Services (THABAFAH)

Keywords

• Fixed base operations
• Aviation fuel services
• Aircraft ground support
• Corporate hangar storage
• Trans-pacific tech stops

Headquarters

HQ city

Santa Maria

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Infrastructure, Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Fuel Sales: Full-service jet fuel (Jet A) and Avgas 100LL (both full-service and self-serve) sold to aircraft operators. Multiple refuelers available for large corporate and military aircraft.
2. Hangar and Ramp Storage: Short-term ramp rental (overnight stays) and long-term hangar rentals. 17,000 sq ft corporate hangar available for Gulfstream G-650 size aircraft. Nightly rates up to multiple year leases.
3. Ground Support Services: Professional towing, AC/DC ground power units, air start cart, nitrogen/oxygen services, lavatory service, potable water, cabin cleaning, passenger stairs, and cargo handling.
4. Aircraft Management: Design and build corporate facilities for customer needs, long-term hangar facilities
5. Concierge and Catering Services: Catering coordination with local providers, hotel arrangements, rental car coordination through Avis and Hertz
6. Contract Fuel Program: Contract fuel through AvFuel, UVAir, World Fuel, AEG Fuels, and US Government DESC programs

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Central Coast Jet Center operates a Fixed Base Operation (FBO) at Santa Maria Airport (SMX) in California, providing aviation ground services to private, corporate, charter, military, and government aircraft operators. Core services include Jet A and Avgas 100LL fueling, hangar and ramp storage, professional ground handling, concierge coordination, catering, and specialized military and airtanker base support. The company positions itself as the closest mainland FBO to the Hawaiian Islands, serving as a primary tech stop for trans-Pacific flights.

Product overview

Central Coast Jet Center is a family-owned Fixed Base Operation (FBO) at Santa Maria Airport offering a comprehensive suite of aviation services. The core FBO Services provide aircraft parking, fueling, and ground support, supplemented by specialized offerings including Hawaii Service for trans-Pacific tech stops, Concierge Services for ground transportation and accommodations, Aircraft Storage with a 17,000 sq. ft. hangar for Gulfstream G-650 class aircraft, Fuel Services with contract options through major providers, Ground Support for aircraft handling, Catering Services, Special Operations for military and airtanker support, and Pilot Amenities including flight planning facilities and crew lounges.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Fixed Base Operation (FBO) Services Core aviation ground services including aircraft parking on 215,000+ sq ft of ramp space, fueling, ground handling, hangar rental, and passenger amenities at Santa Maria Airport (SMX) for corporate, private, charter, and government aircraft operators.
• Hawaii Tech Stop Service Tech stop services for aircraft traveling between the US mainland and Hawaii, leveraging the company's position as the closest mainland FBO to the Hawaiian Islands with an 8,004-foot ILS runway suitable for trans-Pacific ferry and charter flights.
• Aircraft Storage Corporate hangar facilities including a 17,000 sq ft hangar capable of housing Gulfstream G-650 size aircraft. Offers nightly ramp rentals through multi-year hangar lease options for aircraft owners and operators.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 215,000 square feet of ramp space available
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers9 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature6 records

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core and supporting.

• AvFuelcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerContract fuel provider partnership allowing CCJC to accept AvFuel contracts and branded fuel programs for aircraft fueling operations
• UVAircoreGTM or Marketing PartnerContract fuel provider for fuel sales at the FBO location
• World Fuel Services (WFS)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerContract fuel provider for aviation fuel operations
• AEG FuelscoreGTM or Marketing PartnerContract fuel provider for corporate and government fuel programs
• US Government (DESC)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerUS Government Defense Energy Support Center fuel contract for military and government aircraft operations
• NBAAcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerNational Business Aviation Association membership for industry visibility, networking, and standards alignment
• FlightBridgecoreTechnology or IntegrationOnline reservation platform powering the company's service request and booking system
• RadissoncoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorOn-airport hotel partnership providing convenient accommodation for flight crews and passengers
• AvissupportingChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRental car partner arranging vehicles for arriving passengers with plane-side delivery available
• HertzsupportingChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRental car partner for passenger ground transportation with coordinated delivery service
• Airbase1supportingTechnology or IntegrationWebsite development and digital services provider for the company's online presence

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Atlantic Aviation: Major US FBO chain operating numerous facilities along the West Coast, offering fuel, ground handling, hangar, and concierge services to private and corporate aviation. Closest direct competitor in scale and service mix to CCJC.
• TAC Air: US FBO chain operating across multiple states with fuel, hangar, and ground support services for business and general aviation. Comparable FBO business model serving similar private/corporate customer base.
• Sheltair Aviation: US FBO chain with multiple Florida and other locations offering fuel, hangar, ground support, and concierge services. Comparable full-service FBO business model, though primarily East Coast footprint.
• Jet Aviation: Global business aviation services company operating FBOs across the US and Europe with a focus on premium FBO services, fueling, and aircraft management. Directly comparable service model and customer base to CCJC.
• Million Air: International FBO network with California locations providing fuel, hangar, and ground support to corporate and charter operators. Comparable FBO service offering with a focus on premium customer experience similar to CCJC.
• ACI Jet: West Coast FBO chain with multiple California locations offering fueling, ground handling, hangar, and concierge services to private and corporate aviation. Directly comparable in geography, service mix, and customer profile.
• Signature Flight Support: Largest global FBO network with multiple West Coast locations providing fuel, hangar, and ground services to corporate, charter, and military aviation. Directly comparable business model to CCJC but at vastly greater scale.
• Clay Lacy Aviation: West Coast-based FBO and charter operator with facilities in Southern California, providing fueling, hangar, FBO, and aircraft management services. Comparable FBO business with overlapping West Coast corporate aviation customer base.
• TAG FBO: Network of independent FBOs providing fuel, hangar, and ground handling services with focus on consistent service standards across member locations. Comparable FBO service offering with similar customer segments.

Others

• AvFuel: Major aviation fuel supplier and contract fuel network operator serving FBOs including CCJC. Listed as a key CCJC partner, and serves as an ecosystem enabler/supplier to the broader FBO industry.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/centralcoastjetcenter
• Instagraminstagram.com/centralcoastjetcenter
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/central-coast-jet-ctr

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Central Coast Jet Center