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Plane truth, Cont. from p. 25
probably have made more money than he
made in this business.”
“we had some good years when we were
putting out 40 planes a year but the money
we made those years we put back into the
business. I should have taken it out and sold
the business at that time.”
krotje was planning to step back from full
time involvement in his businesses starting
April 1 of this year. he is transferring the
ownership and operations to his business
partner nick otterback. krotje will stay
involved on as a part timer providing technical
support for aircraft owners. “I enjoy working
with guys who are building their own
“I am honored to represent the airplanes, advising them, helping them solve
people of the 62nd district some of their technical problems.”
of Tennessee.” krotje has one more jabiru to sell.

rep.pat.marsh@capitol.tn.gov A sideline aircraft

In 2002, before coming to shelbyville,
Bedford and parts of
Lincoln County krotje, his son, and otterback, got together and
designed their own aircraft to “complement”
615-741-6824 the jabiru. “we wanted a sleek, sexy airplane.”
www.marshfortennessee.com with the development of the plane the group
PAT MARSH, STATE REPRESENTATIVEAT MARSH, STATE REPRESENTATIVE
P formed a new company – Arion Aircraft.
the resulting plane was named the Arion
lightning.
(that company is housed in a hangar right
Award Winning Hotel 3 Years In A Rowward Winning Hotel 3 Years In A Row
A next to jabiru north America at shelbyville
Airport.)
krotje compared the lightning and the
jabiru in automotive terms. “the jabiru is a
very utilitarian airplane,” he said. “If they were
cars the jabiru would be a be a volvo station
BY CHOICE HOTELS wagon and the Arion lightning would be a
mazda miata.” Arion’s first lightning flew in
1607 N. Main Street 2006 and so far the company has sold 200.
Shelbyville, TN 37160 All Rooms Newly Remodeled
(Next to Legends) • King Suites with Hot Tub Jacuzzi Air time?
931.680.1030 • Free Hot Breakfast • Free Wi Fi & Hardware
• 42” Flat Screen TV w/ HBO • Guest Laundry when asked if he spends much time
flying, krotje’s response was not surprising
for anyone who has ever been friends with a
pilot. “not enough. “Although when I retire
One of North America’s Premier processors and that might change.” he’s currently working
recyclers of scrap metal is now part of your community. on the plane he plans to fly in retirement – a
kit plane from Italy called a savannah. It will
be powered by a four-cylinder jabiru engine.
he describes it as a “fun little airplane.”
“It will fly 100 mph if you want to go that
Processing & Trading Co. fast,” he said. “It’s a local sightseeing airplane.
I like to fly at either sunrise or sunset. with
Providing recycling services this airplane I can fly up toward bell buckle
for our community and promoting a cleaner environment. and chase the train up the tracks and fly up
We look forward to serving Bedford County and surrounding areas.
between the hills up there. or, I can go out
106 CEDAR KING ROAD, SHELBYVILLE • 931-536-7171 here and fly 100 feet off the ground and follow
the Duck river as it winds around.” H
28 Salute