Aviation Growth Podcast

In EP#015 we got a visit from Neil Everett Capano, the Founder of YonderWest Aero, LLC. Neil has an extensive background in aircraft operations and spent time at Delta Airlines, ACI Jet, Satcom Direct, and Gama Aviation before starting YonderWest Aero in 2018. YonderWest Aero helps small flight departments manage crew and passenger expectations with creative aircraft scheduling solutions and the native knowledge required for safe operations. They provide cost-effective solutions for corporate aircraft operators that don’t need full-time assistance and are looking to reduce flight crew workload as well as vendor/supplier administration.

In our conversation, we touch on Neil’s path to starting his own business, some of the major obstacles schedulers & dispatchers face in today’s environment, creating custom aircraft management solutions for owners/operators, and more.

To connect with Neil on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/neileverettcapano/

To learn more about YonderWest Aero: https://www.yonderwest.aero/

In this episode we link up with Andy Nixon, the Co-Founder & President of MRO Insider, an app that connects business aircraft operators and providers of AOG, scheduled maintenance, detailing, parts and GSE rental. Andy is also a co-host of the Jet Blast Podcast (along with Nathan Winkle & Lee Brewster) and was recently named one of NBAA’s top 40-under-40.

We had a fun discussion with Andy and touched on:

To connect with Andy on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andy-nixon-4609b042/

To learn more about MRO Insider: https://mroinsider.com/

To follow MRO Insider on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/mroinsider/

In this episode, we sit down for a discussion with Jim Wiley, CEO, and Steve Tubbs, SVP of Operations, from X-1FBO, a fast-growing provider of integrated aviation software and hardware built to streamline the key functions of FBOs.

Jim has spent the last 25 years in the FBO business, on the flight line, and managing FBOs like Priester, Sheltair, Atlantic, Landmark, and most recently Signature. After seeing all of the broken, manual processes found in most FBOs, Jim set out to create a platform to solve them and co-founded X-1FBO in 2015. Over the last few years, Jim has led the key sales, business development, and product development initiatives for the business.

Steve Tubbs recently joined X1-FBO as the SVP of Operations as the business kicks off plans for the next phase of scaling. Steve spent the last 7 years at  Flightdocs / ATP as the VP of Operations and Client Services, is an Army Veteran, and an Embry Riddle Grad.

In this conversation, we cover the story of how X-1FBO got off the ground, the progression of aviation software, focus on “Old School Support”, and what the future of FBOs will look like in the next 5-10 years. Check it out! 

For more info on X-1FBO visit https://www.x1fbo.com/

Connect with Jim on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-wiley-0291992b/

Connect with Steve on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/steve-tubbs-87853a89/

Follow X-1FBO on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/x-1fbo-software/

In this episode of the Aviation Growth Podcast, we connect with Craig Picken, Founder of NorthStar Group, an executive search firm that specializes in filling leadership roles in the Aviation, Aerospace, and Space industries. Last year, NorthStar was named one of Forbes Best Search Firms of 2020. Craig’s career in aviation includes over 2,000 hours as a Naval Flight Officer, stints in sales roles at both Gulfstream Aircraft and Bombardier Business Aircraft, some time in commercial real estate development, and now over 13 years in executive search.

Craig discusses some of the trends he is seeing in the industry, including changes in the hiring of executives, the entry of young professionals into aviation, PE investment in aviation businesses, the consolidation of aircraft charter and management segment, and the development of electric aircraft.

To connect with Craig on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/craigpicken/

To learn more about NorthStar Group: https://northstaresg.com/  

To listen to Craig’s Podcast, The Aerospace Executive Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-aerospace-executive-podcast/id1353891134

In this episode, we link up with Ryan DeMoor from Satcom Direct. Ryan is an Embry Riddle Grad and also has an MBA in Economics. The first part of his career in aviation consisted of flying CRJs for Independence Air and then Lears and Citations at Northern Jet Management. Ryan then moved into a financial role at Northern Jet Management and spent 6 years at the Amway corporate flight department as a Senior Financial Analyst.

Today, Ryan manages the Aviation Tax and Financial Reporting Solutions business at Satcom Direct and is also a Co-Chair on the NBAA Tax Committee as well as an NBAA CAM (Certified Aviation Manager). In his role at SD, he provides guidance to aircraft owners and operators regarding tax laws, compliance and financial reporting.

Ryan stopped by the GHC Studio and had a great conversation with Greg on his career in aviation, some of the ins and outs of aviation tax, the progression of aviation software solutions, and the path to gaining CAM certification.

To connect with Ryan on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryan-demoor-cam-mba/

To learn more about Satcom Direct - https://www.satcomdirect.com/

To learn more about the NBAA CAM Program - https://nbaa.org/professional-development/cam/

To learn more about the NBAA Tax Committee - https://nbaa.org/about/leadership/standing-committees/nbaa-tax-committee/

In this episode, we link up with Martin Lidgard (CEO & Founder) and Krister Genmark (VP of Sales) at Web Manuals. Web Manuals provides a document management platform that significantly streamlines the editing, compliance, review, and distribution of manuals and documents for aviation professionals. They currently serve over 400 customers worldwide including charter, commercial, corporate, drone, and eVTOL flight operations. Greg stopped by their new office in Downtown San Diego and had a great conversation with Martin and Krister. They talked about the progression of their business, growing a bootstrapped multi-national company, the future of technology in aviation, and some of the keys to building a true company culture. You definitely want to listen in!

For more info on their products and services, check out the video and links below:

To learn more about Web Manuals, visit www.webmanuals.aero

To follow Web Manuals on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/webmanuals/

To connect with Martin on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/martinlidgard/

To connect with Krister on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristergenmark/

In this episode of the Aviation Growth Podcast, we are joined by Tyler Holt, the President of AvSky Jets and Rocky Mountain Air Parts. After a just a few years working as an aircraft broker in SWFL, Tyler set out to start his own brokerage firm and created AvSky Jets. Last year, Tyler also entered into the aircraft parts business with the acquisition  of Rocky Mountain Air Parts.

Tyler stopped by the GHC studio for a chat with Greg, where they discussed Tyler’s journey into entrepreneurship - some of the major obstacles he faced, his determination to see success, his growth of a strong team, and how he came to acquire an aircraft parts business.

The podcast is available on Apple, Spotify, and anywhere else you listen to podcasts. The video episode is available on Vimeo and YouTube.

To connect with Tyler on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/tyler-holt-56ba41131/

To learn more about AvSky Jets - https://avskyjets.com/

To follow AvSky Jets on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/avsky-jets/about/

To connect with Greg on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregpheine/

In this episode of the Aviation Growth Podcast, Greg sits down with Rhiannon Silvashy,  who recently joined Portside as a Senior Sales Director. Portside provides flight departments and aircraft management companies with a SaaS platform that helps with reporting, expenses, budgeting, owner approvals, and more, by integrating with a number of different platforms that already exist in most flight departments.

Before joining Portside, Rhiannon worked alongside Greg at Flightdocs (now ATP) for the last decade and was a major factor in the company’s continued growth and success during the time. Greg and Rhiannon discuss her journey at Flightdocs, her philosophy for a successful career in “sales”, and the future of technology in business aviation.

The episode can be watched on YouTube or Vimeo and the podcast is also available on Apple, Spotify, and anywhere else you may listen to podcasts.

To connect with Rhiannon on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/rhiannon-silvashy-49917124/

To learn more about Portside - https://portside.co/

To connect with Greg on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregpheine/

In EP 007, we are joined by Douglas Fajardo, CEO/CXO of Xennial Digital and Sean Gallagan, CEO/Founder of Aviation Workforce Solutions. Xennial Digital is a Virtual Reality / Augmented Reality (XR) company that focuses on immersive learning for enterprise and educational clients. Aviation Workforce Solutions provides consulting services that focus on solving the many challenges of the aviation workforce.

Doug and Sean have come together to bring XR solutions to the aviation industry, by providing immersive training and educational courses around aircraft maintenance and operations. They stopped by the GHC studio and discussed some of the problems the aviation workforce is facing today, and how they are building technology to make aviation education more accessible, scalable, and affordable. Greg was even able to throw on the Oculus headset and get into the cockpit of a virtual 737 for a troubleshooting session. We’re really excited about this new technology and what it is going to deliver to the industry.

To learn more about Xennial Digital: https://www.xennialdigital.com/

To learn more about Aviation Workforce Solutions: https://aviationworkforcesolutions.com/

To connect with Doug: https://www.linkedin.com/in/douglasfajardo/

To connect with Sean: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drseangallagan/

To connect with Greg: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregpheine/

In EP #006, we connect with Cat Wren, the Chief Experience Officer (CXO) at Business Jet Center, an award-winning FBO at Dallas Love Field. Cat has had an exciting career in aviation, starting on the flight line and quickly progressing into an executive role where she manages many aspects of the FBO business.

Cat and Greg discuss how she got started in aviation, her approach to building strong customer relationships, the future growth of their business, recruiting new talent, and how they are continuously supporting their community through a number of charities.

To connect with Cat on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/catclay/

To learn more about Business Jet Center: https://www.businessjetcenter.com/

To connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregpheine/