Spotlight on Livingston Aviation

Livingston Aviation is a fixed base operator located in Waterloo, Iowa—the Heartland of America and home of the first gas-powered tractors. For more than 30 years they have provided expertise to the aviation industry as a full service FBO, Part 135 charter operator, flight training facility, and ground service provider.

Livingston Aviation is named after John Livingston, a legendary pilot, acrobatic flyer, and racer. Along with his brother, Aden “Bite” Livingston, he operated an airport near Waterloo in the 1930s and early 40s. A large collection of memorabilia from John’s air racing days are displayed, including a pilot certificate signed by Orville Wright and numerous trophies. 

The company’s maintenance division specializes in Bell 47 and Bell 206 helicopters in its fully equipped shop. With expert technicians and quick turn specialists, Livingston Aviation proudly declares, “No job is too big or small. We do it all!”

Ground services include hangar space for small aircraft up to mid-sized jets, catering, oxygen service, overnight accommodations, transportation, aircraft de-icing type 1, and a pilot lounge. And if you are looking to catch a couple winks, they even have a comfortable snooze room.

Well-known in the flight training community, Livingston Aviation offers recreational pilot through airline transport pilot (ATP) training. 

Livingston Aviation’s co-owner, Tim Newton, currently operates four helicopters for missions such as Lidar mapping, powerline survey, aerial application and flight training. 

After acquiring Van Horn Aviation 206B Version 2 main rotor blades in mid 2021, Tim commented, “We did not have any installation or tracking and balancing issues; everything went smoothly. I have personally flown them around 200 hours now and overall am pleased with them.” Tim further added, “They are smooth as glass in a hover and in cruise flight.”  

As an operator of VHA tail rotor blades for three years and now with the recent purchase of their main rotor blades, Tim adds, “While safety and performance are the most important criteria for us, the additional time life and reduced operating costs are an added bonus. I have operated the original Bell tail rotor blades as well as the other composite tail rotor blades that are available, and the Van Horn tail rotor blades are without a doubt the superior choice for both tail rotor authority and flyability.”