Integrity and Intensity: How to Address the Inefficiencies of Part 135
Part 135 aviation has been plagued with inefficiency from the very start and there are numerous things that tank the productivity and profitability of operators. There is a way AI and blockchain technology can be leveraged to optimize every aspect of the business, without losing the human element. But it’s not just about using tech […]
Progress, Not Punishment: How to Make Business Aviation Safer
We don’t like to talk about it often, but when it comes to safety, business aviation doesn’t have the perfect record. Anytime an accident happens, it affects the entire industry. A rising tide of safety keeps more planes in the air and makes the whole industry better. Raising the bar of safety can feel like […]
The Only Way to Make Money in the Charter Business
Operating airplanes is a TOUGH business! Complicated machines, delicate financing structures, ever changing asset values, and other complexities that can tank even the best run operations. This is why it’s impossible to democratize business aviation. Because owning a business jet company is sexy, it is easy to become overly emotional and focus on what makes […]
Down to the Studs: How to Transform a 60-Year Old Company
Repositioning a 60-year-old distribution company – during COVID no less – is a Herculean effort. Considering that VSE Corporation’s market cap has gone from $300 million to $1.2 billion since 2019, the mission has been successful. For the CEO tasked with this turnaround, there’s one key ingredient to this success – present leadership. In this […]
Up in the Air (Longer): Why the Aviation Aftermarket is White Hot Right Now
What happens when the aviation industry faces the gargantuan task of catching up to a constrained supply chain? The opportunity shifts. Everyone has accepted the reality that manufacturing is highly limited and that planes have to fly longer, so the aftermarket is white hot. If you own IP and you’re driving the aftermarket, you’ll be […]
Honest Organizations Achieve More..Here’s How to Create One
The most conflict-ridden, unproductive and ineffective organizations have one thing in common – a severe lack of honesty. Getting the unsaid said is critical – it’s common sense, but it’s certainly not easy. Very often, people have valuable thoughts about the organization, but they are afraid to bring them up. Whether it’s issues or ideas, […]
Everyone’s Got a Headache: The Biggest Challenges in Aviation Right Now
Before the pandemic much of the industry ran on cruise control. Unfortunately, covid and the post-covid era exposed a lot of underlying weaknesses. From raw materials shortages to labor and production, everyone has a headache and there’s not enough aspirin to go around. Before new solutions can be found the real challenge is stabilizing the […]
Get the Unsaid Said: The Secret to a High-Achieving Organization
What separates the companies knocking it out of the ballpark and those running in place? Oftentimes it’s just simple communication. Lack of achievement isn’t just a function of what people do, it’s what’s they don’t say…. But really need to! The best leaders recognize the need for open communication and prioritize it, even when it’s […]
Behaviors, Not Buzzwords: The Secret to a Culture of Excellence
There are two ways to build company culture: The first is intentional and proactive. The second is by winging it with the hopes that nothing goes wrong, which never happens. Culture is more than a set of words that hang on the wall. It is a collection of behaviors that permeate so deeply that people […]
“Three Acquisitions & An Appetite For More:” The Ultimate Entrepreneurial Opportunity
They are considered “too small”! That is, until there’s an issue with a critical component they supply. Then they become the backbone of the industry. Small suppliers play a big role in aerospace. With the addition of some “scale,” TLC, and robust business systems, there is also ample opportunity for growth. And this is exact […]