The aircraft maintenance company announced its new mascot based on local folklore at an event at Rider Jet Center's restaurant, The Grille at Runways.
South Mountain Aviation, an aircraft maintenance and avionics company, has announced a mascot for its brand: Smavy the Snallygaster. The new mascot was unveiled at an August 27 event held at The Grille at Runways, the restaurant based at Fixed-Based-Operator Rider Jet Center, where South Mountain Aviation resides.
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The Snallygaster is a mythical dragon-like creature said to inhabit the mountain ridge separating Washington and Frederick County, Maryland. In folklore, the Snallygaster is described as half-reptile, half-bird with a metallic beak lined with razor-sharp teeth. Smavy, South Mountain Aviation's adoption of the Snallygaster, is a friendlier version, using his dragon wings to be able to quickly service small jets near and far. He is equipped with his handy wrench for “on-the-go maintenance” and wears a traditional pilot cap and aviator sunglasses.
When German colonists started to settle in Western Maryland in the 1700s, stories of “monster sightings” in South Mountain swirled and the Snallygaster became part of the area's rich culture. The origin of the name is from the German words “schnelle geist” or “schneller geist,” which translates to “quick spirit” or “fast ghost.” Sighting rumors continued even into the 1900s, making the Snallygaster a very well-known part of the local history. To honor this history, South Mountain Aviation felt there was no better mascot to represent the company than the speedy, flying creature.
In less than two years since the company's founding, South Mountain Aviation has established a niche in servicing and maintaining a variety of small jets across the Mid-Atlantic, and is regarded as the industry's go-to for small jet maintenance. Jet maintenance and repairs are not widely offered in the Mid-Atlantic, causing corporate flight departments and small jet owners to travel farther and pay a higher cost for run-of-the-mill service. South Mountain Aviation's unique specialty in light and very light jets allows it to fulfill the need for small jet maintenance with timely service across Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, and beyond.
The company's rapid growth and quickly-built loyal customer base inspired the need for further brand recognition by introducing this friendly, and memorable mascot. Leading up to the unveiling, South Mountain Aviation teased big news on its Facebook page, indicating an announcement related to the Snallygaster lore. At the event at The Grille at Runways, South Mountain Aviation co-founders Ian Terry and Jayce Keefer, shared the company's success and the story of the Snallygaster, alongside Rider Jet Center President Ben Rider. Specialty cocktails were served and Smavy stickers and magnets were offered. Additional Smavy-branded items will be made available for sale at the Rider Jet Center gift shop soon.
“Our incredible maintenance team has helped us build such a positive reputation among pilots and small jet owners, and it's great to be recognized in the community for our hard work,” said Terry. “To continue the momentum and show South Mountain Aviation is ready for even more growth, we thought a fun but relevant mascot would be perfect to show our roots and dedication to serving the area.”
“South Mountain Aviation can travel anywhere for jet maintenance, but we still wanted to nod to our home in Hagerstown with the Snallygaster becoming part of our brand,” said Keefer. “Smavy is a clever and catchy way to remember the amazing team who worked on your aircraft, and we want to continue to be known as the company that will go above and beyond to make a customer feel appreciated.”
For more information about South Mountain Aviation, its services, and employment inquiries, visit southmountainaviation.com.
About South Mountain AviationSouth Mountain Aviation, founded in 2024, is the “go-to” aircraft maintenance and avionics company in the Mid-Atlantic. South Mountain Aviation services and maintains Gulfstreams, Globals, and Hawkers and Citation Jets. The company also sells, installs, maintains and repairs avionics systems for general aviation aircraft, including business jets, twin turboprops and single-engine piston airplanes. South Mountain Aviation is based at a hangar in Fixed-Based Operator (FBO) Rider Jet Center in Hagerstown, Maryland. To learn more, visit southmountainaviation.com.
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SOURCE South Mountain Aviation
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