About Us

As the closet FBO to the Hawaiian Islands, Central Coast Jet Center (CCJC) is located at the Santa Maria, Calif. Public Airport (SMX).  The Kunkle family, comprising three generations of aviators, built the FBO in 2003.  Family patriarch James W. Kunkle is a highly decorated World War II P-38 aviator who was also one of the first to fly Air Force jets in the late 1940s.  He will be celebrating his 102nd birthday in October, and is still active in the aviation community.  Jet Center Founder, James W. Kunkle, who passed away in April 2022, had an aviation career that span 47 years and continues to be the guiding spirit behind the Central Coast Jet Center.  Chris Kunkle, third generation aviator, is President of the Jet Center.  He is a California State University Chico graduate, and served as Director of the award winning 2018, 2019 and 2022 Central Coast AirFest airshows at SMX. 

While operations have grown over the years, the quality of service, attention to detail, and the love of aviation that characterized the Jet Center in its early years, still defines it today, and will continue to define it into the future.  CCJC is proud to bring a small town, small business attitude while maintaining the most modern and up to date aviation standards and business practices in the industry.

The Central Coast Jet Center celebrated its 20th anniversary in 2023, and as of early 2024, became completely family owned.  We welcome you to one of the finest airports and FBOs on the West Coast.

CAELUM CERTE PATET