I first met Jim Straube in the mid 80's, when I was tasked with reorganizing Hemmeter Aviation's new aquisition of the Maui Flight Center. This acquisition came just after acquiring General Aviation Services with both operating older aircraft servicing equipment. Jim Straube came by shortly after my arrival in Maui and expressed an interest in assisting with the refurbishing of the fuel trucks and other servicing vehicles. Everyone was impressed with Jim's efforts. So much so, other operators asked him to paint airplanes and helicopters. Jim may have started as an autobody guy but quickly became not the only the best aircraft painter in Hawaii but one of the best in the nation.
Hawaii Administrative Rules (HAR) Title 19 / Department of Transportation / Subtitle 2 / Airports Division
Chapter 14 Public Conduct at Public Airports
19-14-3 Conduct of the Public
(1) other controls and restrictions. no person shall, at, within or upon any public airport:
(8) Spray paint in the operational area, open area, or other site on any public airport
property which is not specifically designed or designated for such activity;
Straube Aircraft Services was always diligent on meeting rule and regulations and industry standards that were required for proper aircraft painting at the airports in the State of Hawaii. Painting of aircraft is highly regulated due to the properties of protective coatings.