Air 1st has been in the Mitsubishi MU-2 business for nearly fifty years with a firmly established reputation throughout the world as a dealer specializing in MU-2 aircraft sales, moving more MU-2s annually than any other sales organization. In one year alone, Air 1st sold nearly one per week, totaling 50 MU-2 aircraft sales by year’s end. Air 1st has owned a large majority of the MU-2 fleet, owning several planes as many as five times. In addition to MU-2 sales, Air 1st also became known for having one of the largest MU-2 parts inventories, supporting individual and fleet operators worldwide.
From our modest beginnings in 1977 at Bush Field in Augusta, Georgia, Air 1st expanded and relocated to the Aiken Regional Airport in 1995 where we built our own hangar and offices, which established our professional operation that exists today.
In 1997, we purchased the fixed base operator at KAIK, which became Aiken Aviation and is a premier FBO in the region offering competitive fuel prices and discounts to our MU-2 customers.
In 1999, Carolina Turbine Support (CTS) was added as an FAA Part 145 Repair Station to meet the MU-2 industry need for quick and reliable component and accessory overhauls. In 2011 due to owner/operator demand, CTS became a Mitsubishi authorized MU-2 Service Center offering expanded maintenance, avionics, and parts inventory.
Air 1st and its affiliate companies have over 210,000 hours of MU-2 aircraft operation in the United States and Australia, giving us a unique knowledge of ownership and operation to the benefit or our prospective buyers and sellers.
Air 1st is a leader in the industry in establishing programs and partnerships to enhance the MU-2, including STC field testing for the 5-bladed composite MT-Propellers and creation of the Platinum Series complete MU-2 refurbishment program, the latter of which has put the Mitsubishi MU-2 into the 1.5-1.6 million-dollar category on the market and has ultimately increased the overall retail and wholesale prices we enjoy today.
Our history and experience with the MU-2 has enabled Air 1st to be in a position to offer the most professional sales services available and offer customers the convenience of a one-stop shop with sales, maintenance, and fixed base operator services.
We offer a very easy sales situation for our clients desiring to sell or purchase an MU-2 as we coordinate all the logistics.
Dealer Services include:
- Marketing: valuation and advertising
- Sales and purchase negotiations; assistance with closing and escrow
- Hangar free of charge through the sales process
- Pilot Services on the field: demo, post-maintenance, acceptance flights
- Maintenance on the field: inspections, logbook and AD research, AMOC approvals
- FBO on the field with good fuel prices
- DAR/DER Services
- Local MU-2 Training Services
- Transportation to and from nearby commercial airports
Air 1st routinely takes in trade for resale a variety of single and twin-engine piston planes, other turboprops, and jet aircraft. We also have experience and resources to assist our former MU-2 customers desiring to enter into the jet aircraft market.
We are within 45 minutes of Columbia Metro Airport (KCAE) in South Carolina and Augusta Regional Airport at Bush Field (KAGS) in Georgia.
While contemplating your MU-2 purchase or sale, we hope you will consider Air 1st with our vast history and experience to assist you in the process.
