The Corporate Jet Investor Podcast

Dan Drohan, founder and CEO of Solaris, shares his remarkable journey from aviation enthusiast to building a leading aircraft management company. In this episode, he discusses Solaris' unique entrepreneurial culture, the challenges of scaling a business in the aviation industry, and his personal evolution as a leader. Listen here for insider insights into the private aviation sector and discover what it takes to build a thriving business from the ground up. Thank you Dan!

In this episode, we are joined by Jason Middleton, CEO and founder of Silver Air Private Jets. A former elite triathlete turned pilot, Middleton brings an "all-in" mentality to aviation. He shares how Silver Air survived the 2008 financial crisis through relentless focus, and why he prioritises specialisation over vertical integration. Middleton is a vocal critic of unregulated charter brokers, advocating for operator-level safety standards. He launched Flight Club to give clients transparency and control, a move driving over $100m in annual revenue. During Covid, he kept all staff on payroll, reinforcing his people-first culture. Middleton also emphasises stepping away from the office – whether surfing or hunting – to solve problems creatively. The conversation touches on leadership lessons, regulatory challenges, global operational risks, the importance of staying connected to the flight deck as a hands-on CEO and much more besides.

In this episode, Stephen McCullough, Executive Vice President of Engineering, Product Development and Bombardier Defence, shares his deep passion for aviation and the sheer thrill of bringing groundbreaking aircraft like the record-breaking Global 8000 to life. With over 36 years at Bombardier, Stephen offers a rare insider’s look into the high-stakes world of elite aircraft development - from pushing the boundaries of speed and performance to delivering unforgettable customer experiences. Driven by relentless engineering excellence and bold innovation, he’s one of the key minds behind some of the most exciting advancements in modern business aviation. Sharp, insightful, and genuinely enthusiastic about the future of flight, Stephen is exactly the kind of leader who makes us excited about where business aviation is heading next.

Welcome to another CJI Town Hall. This edition, kindly sponsored by Textron Aviation, will be exploring how customers should go about choosing the right aircraft for their respective missions. We have a great line up of speakers including: Duncan van de Velde, Vice President Aircraft Sales, Textron Aviation Bob Gibbs, VP Special Missions Global Sales, Textron Aviation Dave Connor, CEO, RVL Group Kindly Sponsored by Textron Aviation

In this episode, Dan Kilkary, Founder of The Aviation Office, discusses his journey from working in his family's aviation business to launching his own advisory firm. He shares insights on the evolving aircraft brokerage industry, the importance of senior-level expertise, and how he aims to provide a more personalised, high-touch experience for aircraft owners.

This week, we are joined by Jeff Reis, Advisor at My Flight. Jeff Reis, a 35-year veteran of business aviation, discusses how AI and automation can be applied in practice to enhance operations and the customer experience, without replacing the human touch that is essential in the industry. He shares insights on optimising websites for AI-driven search, using AI to improve pricing and availability, and integrating technology seamlessly into business processes. The conversation covers: The evolution of aviation technologyBalancing automation with human expertisePractical AI strategiesThe importance of subject matter expertisePreparing for AI-powered disruptionReal-world examples Thank you, Jeff!

Corporate Jet Investor Town Hall: Navigating Tariff Opportunities and Risks Following a Supreme Court ruling that invalidated the Trump administration's AIIPA tariffs, new Section 122 tariffs have been introduced with a notable exemption for civil aircraft imports. This creates a temporary window for aircraft buyers and sellers to operate in a zero-tariff environment. However, legal experts caution that uncertainty remains around potential future tariffs under Section 301 and Section 232 investigations. Industry participants are advised to strengthen contracts with tariff reimposition clauses and refund allocation provisions, while ensuring compliance processes are robust. The situation remains fluid, but the current aircraft exemption offers a strategic opportunity for the sector. Did Trump get Trumped...?

Bombardier's Remarkable Turnaround: Inside the Brand Transformation Join us as Ève Laurier, Head of Marketing Communications at Bombardier, reveals how the company transformed its brand and communications strategy over the past 5 years. Discover the secrets behind re-engaging stakeholders, delivering consistent luxury experiences, and navigating the evolving private aviation industry. From sustainability initiatives to digital marketing innovation, this candid conversation offers valuable insights into leadership, company culture, and strategic marketing. Whether you're in aviation or interested in brand transformation, you'll find lessons applicable to your own business journey

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In this episode we are joined by Philip Kingsley-Dobson, co-founder of UK-based electric aviation charging infrastructure specialist Aerovolt. Aerovolt has just launched a carbon credit programme designed to support operators in reducing reported flight emissions, it is calling Electric Book & Claim. Kingsley-Dobson discusses the programme, the reasoning behind its introduction, why business aviation has a role to play in the rollout of electric flight and much more besides.

Moiz Sunwalla, the 22-year-old founder of Dubai-based private jet charter company Velari Jets. Moiz discusses how he aims to redefine luxury travel by providing a more personalised, high-touch service for ultra-high-net-worth clients. Moiz shares insights on the evolving private aviation industry and his vision for Velari Jets to be a trusted, niche player that builds deep client relationships, rather than chasing volume like larger firms. As a young entrepreneur, Moiz emphasises the importance of protecting reputation and using time efficiently in this industry.

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In the first Corporate Jet Investor Podcast episode of 2026, we hear from Aoife O'Sullivan on her background and how she got into aviation law, initially wanting to be a horse trainer before becoming a lawyer. Aoife is an internationally recognised aviation lawyer with expertise across private, corporate, and commercial aviation. She advises a global client base, primarily high-net-worth individuals and leads strategic advocacy efforts to promote and protect the interests of business and general aviation in the UK and internationally. Aoife explains the day-to-day work of an aviation lawyer, including the importance of face-to-face meetings, dealing with complex international transactions, and the increasing regulatory requirements around anti-money laundering and KYC. We discuss Aoife's role as the chair of the British Business and General Aviation Association, discussing the challenges the UK market has faced post-Brexit and her optimism about its future potential. Listen to the advice Aoife gives to the younger generations, interested in entering the business aviation industry, emphasising the need for a strong team and the diverse career opportunities available. Thank you Aoife for coming on the CJI Podcast and sharing your insights!

CJI Town Hall | Picking your dream team: It's not about price, it's about value Speakers include: Jay Mesinger, CEO & President, Mesinger Jet Sales Chad Anderson, CEO, Jetcraft Mike Dwyer, Owner, Guardian Jet Mike Minchow, President, Duncan Aviation 2026 will bring to light a series of new series of Town Halls sponsored by Mesinger Jet sales and broadcast on the CJI Town Hall Network focusing on the fallacy of Price vs. Value/Cost. "Quality is remembered long after price is forgotten” - Charles Rolls the aviation and automotive pioneer. Sponsored by Mesinger Jet Sales

Jamie Walker, executive chairman of Jetlink, recently returned to a more active role after a 2-year break. Jetlink focuses on a local market approach, with private terminals or partnerships in over 20 locations. They have found success in acquiring and integrating smaller local charter operators. However, they have struggled with illegal charter competition in some markets. Walker emphasises Jetlink's commitment to safety and quality, and their plans to continue growing their domestic footprint through organic expansion and strategic partnerships.

Speakers: Claudio D'Amico, Vice President of Strategic Market Engagement, Business Aviation, Viasat Michael Schrage, Research Fellow, MIT Sloan School of Management In-flight connectivity providers have traditionally competed on peak network speed, even though the moments that truly define value — such as joining a board meeting without the connection dropping or watching crucial sporting moments without buffering — remain invisible to this single metric. This town hall will explore new research by Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Sloan School that calls for a radical change in how business aviation in-flight connectivity is measured. It states the industry must move beyond measuring speed alone to focus on a broader range of metrics and translate the findings into simple measurements that passengers can instantly understand. Viasat has become the first provider to take action with the launch of a market-first concept for its premium JetXP in-flight broadband service. Designed with business aviation in mind, the new iQe (In-flight Quality of Experience) concept will redefine connectivity measurement by constantly monitoring a comprehensive range of network metrics and leveraging AI and advanced analytics to deliver a single, intuitive QoE score that instantly shows connectivity performance at a glance.

The challenges of attracting talent to the business aviation industry have not gone away. Especially for roles like pilots and mechanics. Neil believes there may be a shortage of talent but there is also a shortage of attracting talent. Retaining talent, especially mechanics, can be difficult due to compensation differences compared to commercial aviation. Providing career development opportunities and making employees feel valued are important. There are cultural differences between business aviation and commercial aviation that impact the type of candidates that thrive in each environment. Assessing cultural fit is crucial when hiring. Owners of private aircraft often rely heavily on their pilots' input when selecting aircraft models, showing the importance of the pilot-owner relationship in business aviation. Advice for those looking to enter business aviation includes being proactive, getting exposure to the industry, and being honest about the demands of the work. Thank you Neil for sharing your insights!

Join us this week with Mark Hardman, the founder of the business aviation company RightJet. Mark and Alasdair discuss the company's growth over the past 5 years, including expanding their showroom presence in the UAE and focusing on providing a full suite of services - from aircraft sales and charter to management. Mark shares his extensive background in the industry, having started in aviation 40 years ago at Stansted Airport. He talks about the evolution of business aviation, particularly in the Middle East market, and how RightJet differentiates itself through a focus on ethics, transparency, and delivering exceptional service. Thanks for joining us Mark!

"It's a relationship business" Ted Farid, Chairman at Jet HQ spoke to us this week about his 50+ year career in the business aviation industry. Ted touches upon the dramatic technological and global changes that the industry has undergone over his career, from the early days of Blackberries to today's ubiquitous connectivity. Evolution of aircraft design, shifting from engineer-focused to more customer-centric as business jets became viewed as "office in the air". Finally, Ted reflects on his favourite aircraft models and the most challenging periods, such as the 2008 downturn and COVID-19.