Doss Aviation Opens Facility To Public – KRTN Enchanted Air Radio

By Marty Mayfield

KRTN Multi-Media

Mark Lester, Doss Aviation CEO, welcomed an appreciative crowd to the former National Guard Armory and current Raton Headquarters of Doss on Tuesday, August 16 located on the Crews Field Airport property south of Raton for an open house.

Lt Governor John Sanchez who was instrumental in helping bring Doss Aviation to Raton welcomed Doss to the area and indicated this is an important step in returning businesses to rural New Mexico. Sanchez went to say that he is thrilled to build a culture and tradition of aviation in our state. He noted that the small communities are losing to many young people and we need to stop that.

Sanchez told KRTN after the short ceremony that the wide open skies of New Mexico are a good draw for other aviation companies to locate to New Mexico and Doss Aviation is just the start. Sanchez indicated that he had been in Oshkosh to promote New Mexico to companies there and is working to help promote New Mexico as a place to do business.

Lester told the assembled crowd including Raton Mayor Sandy Mantz and other civic and business leaders, they are now in operation and will be training pilots at the facility in the near future.

Hal Ellis, chief pilot, for Doss Aviation also spoke and said he was asked by Lester since Doss has saturated the skies in Colorado where do we go? Ellis said New Mexico since he has flown in New Mexico for a long time.

The FAA has certified Doss to teach two classes in New Mexico of which included private pilot’s license.

One of the first student pilots will be Teresa Blaisure who was present when Ellis told her that she will receive a fully paid scholarship by Doss Aviation as their first student pilot in New Mexico.

With that Lester offered tours of the facility and many moved to the hangar bay to watch as Blaisure took her first ride on the flight simulator.

Mark Lester COO of Doss Aviation welcomed visitors to the facility for a small ceremony and tour Tuesday afternoon.

Lt Governor John Sanchez officially welcomed Mark Lester and Doss Aviation to Raton as a first step to returning business to rural New Mexico

Hal Ellis one of the instructors at Doss told the crowd about the training they will be doing at the facility soon.

Doss Aviation presented Teresa Blaisure with a flight bag as their first private pilot's license student and informed her that she would receive a scholarship that would pay in full her training for her license courtesy of Doss Aviation. — Doss Aviation presented Teresa Blaisure with a flight bag as their first private pilot’s license student and informed her that she would receive a scholarship that would pay in full her training for her license courtesy of Doss Aviation.

2 Comments

Marcia Patty August 19, 2016

Congratulations to Teresa, that’s awesome. Congrats to Raton as well, what a great program.
Richard Gregory August 18, 2016

Congats to all who made this happen.

I grew up in Raton and have never understood why other small businesses have never located in Raton.
Raton is very different now and much less vibrant than when I lived there in the late 40’s and 50’s. I hope that the start-up by Doss will begin a revitalization of this great setting and community.

There is clean air, adequate water, available housing, etc. Why has no one noticed?

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