Costa Air Service

Costa Air Service, based at Corning-Painted Post Airport (7N1), is an aviation business offering services such as aerial flight tours, flight lessons, aircraft maintenance and repairs, aerial surveys, banners, aircraft fuel, and aircraft storage.

Costa Air Service is an off-shoot of Costa Flying Service, the oldest flying service in New York State, also based at Corning-Painted Post Airport. Costa Flying Service was founded in 1930 by Joe Costa Sr., who was the first resident of Corning to get a pilot's license and later made aviation history when, in 1936, he attempted a transatlantic flight from the U.S. to Portugal in his Lockheed Vega. In 1993 the Empire State Aerosciences Museum honored him with the Aviation Pioneer Award in recognition of his outstanding contributions to the development and advancement of General Aviation. In 1994 the Rochester Flight Standards District Office of the Federal Aviation Administration honored him with a Lifetime Achievement Award, in recognition of his 65 years in aviation. Also in 1994, the U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Administration Administration, Eastern Region, gave him a Certificate of Appreciation in recognition of 65 years of distinction as an aviator.

Costa Air Service is owned and operated by Jim Doane, a pilot with over 40 years of flight experience. Jim holds many FAA certifications including CFI, CFII, MEI, MEII, CFIG, and ATP.