BLTA, Conrad "Connie" Kalitta Air, Connection
Post# of 41413
Nomination and election of Conrad Kalitta, CEO of Kalitta Air, to serve as a Director on the Board of Directors of Baltia Airlines (BLTA).
BLTA started the FAA Certification with the New York Flight Standards District Office. NY F.D.S.O. was slow due to lacking personnel, time and desire to perform. So, in December 2012, probably at the advice and urging of Connie Kalitta, BLTA switched to East Michigan F.D.S.O.
Among the reasons for moving the certification to EMI FSDO were operational considerations. Baltia’s aircraft storage, maintenance is performed at Kalitta Maintenance facility in Oscoda, Michigan, and Baltia trained its crewmembers and dispatchers at Kalitta Air facilities at Willow Run Airport. Both of these major activities are under the East Michigan FSDO’s oversight.
Conrad Kalitta has been working with / assisting / advising Baltia for several years now. Connie Kalitta has been through and knows the FAA Cetrification Process. Conrad "Connie" Kalitta is the CEO of Kalitta Air and a retired American drag racing driver, once known as "The Bounty Hunter". Kalitta has a lifetime of experience in the airline industry that goes back to 1967 when he began transporting parts for the automotive business with a twin engine Cessna 310 that he piloted himself. Over the years, Kalitta grew from a one airplane operation into a substantial airline conglomerate. Kalitta Air began service in November 2000 with three Boeing 747 aircraft and the fleet has grew to 22 B747 freighters.
As some one here posted a couple years ago, Connie Kalitta is a mover and a shaker. Everyone at Willow Run Airport knows who Connie Kalitta is. When I visited BLTA Willow Run Offices I saw Kalitta offices in several locations.
Kalitta Charters is run by his son Doug Kalitta, with about 41 various aircrafts.
http://www.kalittaair.com/about-kalitta/
http://www.kalittaair.com/#modern-organic-thai
http://www.kalittacharters.com/the-kalitta-companies/