As reported by associate and personal pilot Richard Smith in the Miami Herald on August 12, 1997, over the next decade, Fine grows his airline by purchasing inexpensive ($250,000) old DC-8 cargo planes. These do not meet federal noise abatement standards or other points, so Fine repairs them and puts “hush kits” on them, and sells or, more commonly, wet-leases them for a profit.
Indeed, it will later be charged that, on numerous occasions, Agro not only charters its aircraft and crews to South American cargo operations, but also makes their clients’ business decisions as a kind of shadow management. Under these arrangements (which amount to the registration of U. S.-owned aircraft in foreign countries), all the leasing airlines need do to collect income is lend the use of their licenses. Fine also undertakes cargo contract service flights with aircraft of his own.
During the early 1980s, son Barry, a graduate of the University of Florida law school, joins his father’s business. In 1985, the fleet includes 1 Douglas DC-8-33F and 2 Boeing KC-97G Stratofreighters. During these years and later, Agro is subject to FAA investigations. The government is concerned that the company’s leasing arrangements with several Latin American airlines amount to a skirting of U. S. regulations for the establishment, maintenance, and, most importantly, safety inspection of charter operations.
In July 1987, one of the KC-97Gs, transporting a load of prize jumping horses for a Mexican equestrian team, crashes just after takeoff from Mexico City Airport onto a busy highway. A total of 54 people are killed, along with all the horses. Investigators will later report that the over-loaded aircraft was employing the wrong grade of fuel. It will also note that loading documents have been filled out in Miami even before the consignment is received in Mexico. The company’s questionable leasing practices with South American carriers end after this tragedy.
In 1988-1990, the fleet is increased to 4 DC-8Fs. Meanwhile, in 1989, the Fines purchase Portland Meadows racetrack in Oregon. After two losing seasons, they declare it bankrupt in 1991.
Also in 1991, the company refuses to testify before a U. S. Congressional committee investigating the charter industry. The Fines protest that their concern is not an airline and does not control foreign carriers. Still, the DOT develops information that Agro is improperly providing freighter crews to third parties. Agro agrees to pay a $100,000 fine and halt the practice.
In 1992, the Fines sell Agro Air International to Dominican-based interests. In its place, they establish a new carrier, Fine Air.
AGRO AIR INTERNATIONAL DOMINICANA: P. O. Box 524236, Miami, Florida 33152, United States; Phone 1 (305) 9424910; Fax 1 (305) 871-3379; Year Founded 1992. Agro Air is established in 1992, with headquarters in Santo Domingo and principal base at Miami, to operate all-cargo charters between the two cities and to other ad hoc destinations in the Caribbean and South America. It is successor organization to Agro Air International, which has been sold by J. Frank Fine who has transferred his interests to Miami and started Fine Air.
Revenue operations commence and continue with a fleet that includes 1 Boeing 720, 2 Douglas DC-8-54Fs, and 2 ex-USAF Boeing KC-97G Stratofreighters.
Flights continue during the remainder of the decade. During these years, the company completely renews its fleet, replacing its previous aircraft with 1 Lockheed L-1011 TriStar 500F and 3 DC-8-60Fs. Customers include Aerochago Airlines, S. A., ALAS de Transport Inter-nacional, S. A., and BWIA West Indies Airways, Ltd.
AGROLET: Czechoslovakia (1951-1969). Agrolet is established at Prague’s Ruzyne Airport in 1951 as an associate of the state carrier CSA (Czechoslovak Airlines). Aerial agricultural work is inaugurated with Antonov An-2s and other small aircraft on behalf of farmers throughout the nation.
After expanding through a number of organizational changes over the next 15 years, Agrolet transfers its base of operations to Ivanka Airport in Bratislava in 1965. Operations continue for this hub until July 1, 1969, when the carrier is reformed into the independent SlovAir.
AGSA (AVIACION GENERAL, S. A.): Panama (1948-1961). This air taxi is formed at Santiago in 1948 to offer on-demand and charter flights to destinations inland of that town. Employing Piper aircraft, the company also contracts to transport native Indian laborers from San Blas coastal villages to Colon.
Operations remain unchanged until they cease in 1961.
World History
