We have stopped here at nearly every one of our sixteen crossings of the United States coast-to-coast. They are very focused on customer service and even stepping out of a little four-seater piston single we were treated like we were going to drop ten grand on jet fuel. They loaned us a crew car to run to dinner and pick out a hotel and then drove us over to the hotel. The plane was fueled and pulled up in the morning as requested. The past few years the ramp had gotten very rough and we were happy to see this year that it was brand new concrete.

I just wanted to let all my friends at Cutter Aviation know that I am retiring from professional flying. Appropriately, I finished my last flight, arriving at Cutter in an Eclipse the night of February 2, 2019.

I have been a licensed pilot for 64 years and have flown in the military and as a professional pilot for 59 years, and now it’s time that I spend a little more time with my wife of 59 years. It’s been a “great ride,” because I love flying, and because of all the great people I have known and worked with in aviation.

In particular, I want you and all the employees at Cutter to know how much I appreciate your professionalism and friendship. Please pass on my personal thanks for their making my time in aviation in Albuquerque most enjoyable. As the saying goes, they have made “the worst day of flying better than the best day of real work.”

While I’m retiring from professional flying, I will not be gone. You will still see me around the airport in my Mooney!

Arrived mid day in my Bonanza BE36. Was meet by staff and marshaled into a parking spot in from of the entrance door. They brought a baggage cart and water. I took on 40 gallons (a bit high priced at $6.14) but no other charges (with 20 gallons or more). Got a ride to a hotel right away in a nice cool van. Next morning the plane was waiting right out front ready to go. Very pleased. Will use next time.

So I flew into Cutter in my more-than-humble 1947 Ercoupe and parked next to a Lear. Yikes! But you know what? The staff treated me like a king! They literally brought out the red carpet (but then didn't know where to put it because Ercoupes don't have obvious doors if you've never seen one before). It was a hot day, and my teenage son appreciated being handed a bottle of cold water right off the bat. The linemen--and linewoman--were helpful and friendly, as was the front desk staff both in the evening and the following morning. It didn't faze anyone that I only needed a few gallons of gas, and they found hangar space for me for the night, including locating a cord for my pre-heater. The next morning my plane was on the line and ready for me right at the requested time. The facilities are very good, with every thing you could want, with fast Internet and comfy chairs; but I found it was the Cutter people who really made the difference. They were extraordinary.

Cutter in ABQ is a real class act. I recently flew my Piper Archer into ABQ for a fuel stop along my planned route but ended up spending the night due to bad wx. Cutter literally rolled out the red carpet for us. I was treated like I taxied onto the ramp in a Gulfstream. They gave us rides to a restaurant and hotel and had the plane ready and fueled for our morning departure as well as cleaned our dirty windshield without asking. A special word to Ben, Seth and Chelsea on the line for going WAY above and beyond to serve us.