Podcast: New Enstrom Owner Strikes An Enthusiastic Note

Enstrom 480B
Gemini Sparkle

Key Takeaways:

  • Chuck Surack, founder of Sweetwater Sound, purchased Enstrom Helicopter.
  • Surack's business philosophy centers on exceptional customer satisfaction, exemplified by including candy with every online order.
  • Surack's passion for aviation developed early, starting with helping his father with his Aeronca Chief.
  • He aims to significantly improve Enstrom Helicopter's market position.
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In this podcast, AVweb senior editor Mark Phelps talks with Chuck Surack, founder of musical instrument and equipment retailer Sweetwater Sound and new owner of Enstrom Helicopter. Surack’s business style includes a healthy helping of customer satisfaction, to the point where he includes a small bag of (Sweet?) candy with each online order, no matter how small.

In a telephone conversation with AVweb (excuse the “non-studio-quality” audio), Surack traces his rise to success in the music industry, paralleled by his appreciation and enthusiasm for aviation. From siphoning gas from 55-gallon drums to fuel his Dad’s Aeronca Chief in southern Ohio; to shedding tears on his first solo rotorcraft flight; to his commitment—and concrete plan—to revitalize Enstrom in the marketplace, Surack displays his confidence and enthusiasm in executing his ambition to reinstall Enstrom as a serious player in the light-helicopter market.

Mark Phelps

Mark Phelps is a senior editor at AVweb. He is an instrument rated private pilot and former owner of a Grumman American AA1B and a V-tail Bonanza.
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