FORT LAUDERDALE, FL – (October 31, 2011) – VPAA Co. dba/Gulfstream International Airlines (“Gulfstream”) has named Edward D. Knapp Director of Security responsible for overseeing all safety measures for the carrier’s fleet of 21 aircraft. An accomplished airline and government executive, Mr. Knapp possesses more than three decades of experience and a wealth of aviation knowledge encompassing flight certifications, airline operations and management, flight services, crew policies and procedures.
Before joining Gulfstream, Mr. Knapp held multiple roles at Connecticut Flight Academy/Connecticut Air Taxi, including General Manager, Chief Instructor, Chief Pilot and Federal Aviation Authority (FAA) liaison. Prior to that, he spent eight years as Assistant Federal Security Director for Inspection at the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) responsible for developing and overseeing the Connecticut Regulatory/Enforcement Department, supervising the activities of 14 inspectors, maintaining airport security plans, and managing compliance at flight schools, air carriers, airports, railroads and other transportation modes within the state.
“We are pleased to welcome the caliber of talent an aviation industry professional like Edward Knapp brings to Gulfstream,” said Darrell Richardson, CEO of Gulfstream International Airlines. “Not only does he bring a strong track record of success in building great airlines, but he also has direct experience in integrating Saab 340 and Beechcraft 1900 aircraft into one combined fleet, much as we’ve set out to do in the coming months. His addition brings further depth to our team.”
Gulfstream is a new regional carrier launched in May 2011 by Victory Park Capital, a Chicago-based investment firm that acquired select assets of the previous Gulfstream International Airlines, which filed for bankruptcy in November 2010. Under the new ownership structure, Gulfstream has bolstered its management team, and is enhancing operations with the acquisition of six Saab 340BPlus aircraft, which will replace several Beechcraft 1900 planes on a staggered schedule over the next nine months.
In 1990, Mr. Knapp was responsible for integrating 20 Saab 340s aircraft into Business Express’ Beechcraft 1900 fleet in 90 days, serving as an Instructor, Check Airman and FAA Pilot Examiner on both aircraft types.
Mr. Knapp began his aviation career in 1980 at Business Express (Bridgeport, CT). The first employee of the original company (Atlantic Air), Mr. Knapp built the airline from one employee and one aircraft into a full-fledged carrier with nearly 100 aircraft and thousands of employees over the course of 13 years. Mr. Knapp has also held senior positions with Shuttle America, Express One International, and CityLink Airlines. He attended Northeastern and Nova Universities during the 1990s where he studied Business, and Embry Riddle during the 1990s and 2000s where he studied Professional Aeronautics.
About Gulfstream International Airlines Officially known as VPAA Co. dba/Gulfstream International Airlines, Gulfstream (IATA: 3M) is a U.S. airline operating 100+ daily scheduled flights to/from 29 gateways in Florida, The Bahamas, Montana, Ohio, New York, Pennsylvania and West Virginia. The company is owned by Victory Park Capital, a Chicago-based investment firm that launched Gulfstream in May 2011 following the acquisition of select assets from the former Gulfstream International Airlines, which filed for bankruptcy in November 2010.
Gulfstream is headquartered in Fort Lauderdale, FL and operates under a principal code share and alliance agreement with Continental Airlines, United Airlines and Copa Airlines. The Gulfstream fleet is comprised of 21 Beechcraft 1900D aircraft (maximum seating capacity: 19 passengers), each powered by reliable, fuel-efficient jet-turbine engines.
For more information on Gulfstream, please visit www.gulfstreamair.com.
