Ironbird Podcast

Recorded live from NBAA in partnership with Flyhouse

Private aviation is entering a new era — one driven by integration, scale, and service.

In this live NBAA session, Flyhouse CEO Jack Lambert and Sun Air Jets CEO Brian Counsil join host Dan Harris to discuss the landmark acquisition that’s redefining what an aviation company can be.

They unpack the full-circle vision behind the deal — combining charter, FBO, and maintenance into one ecosystem — and share the lessons learned from months of negotiations, culture alignment, and strategic planning.

More than a business move, this is about reimagining how small operators grow, compete, and serve in an industry where 90% of players have fewer than 10 aircraft.

✦ Why Flyhouse’s “build the house” vision goes beyond charter

✦ How Sun Air Jets’ legacy and people shaped the acquisition

✦ The strategy behind vertical integration — from hangar to app

✦ What smaller operators should know before selling or scaling

✦ Lessons from a 10-month acquisition process

✦ Why culture and people determine the real success of a merger

Whether you’re an operator looking to grow or a founder considering an exit, this episode shows how partnerships — when done right — can reshape the entire business aviation ecosystem.

🔧 Sponsored by

Charter Flight Support — The only coverage that protects you when a mechanical issue grounds your jet. charterflightsupport.com

Video Valet — 1.2M+ movies, shows, and magazines without Wi-Fi. Mention Iron Bird for a free custom iPad setup. videovalet.io

✈️ The Iron Bird Podcast brings you the voices shaping private aviation today — from boardrooms to hangars, where strategy meets sky.

Listen to every episode at flyironbird.com

How Curt Marker Balances Jets, Real Estate, and Reputation

Guest: Curt Marker, Pilot & Real Estate Investor

Host: Dan Harris, IronBird Partners Podcast

Not every pilot sticks to the cockpit.

In this episode, Dan Harris sits down with Curt Marker — a third-generation pilot, experienced Gulfstream captain, and thriving real estate investor — to talk about what it really means to build a sustainable and flexible aviation career.

Curt shares how he’s managed to fly for both airlines and private jet owners, all while growing a portfolio of investments and building a reputation as one of the most personable, service-driven pilots in the business. From funding his own type ratings to navigating the jump from G3s to G600s, this conversation is part flight path, part masterclass in long-game thinking.

Inside this episode:

✦ Why flying is only 10% of the job — and what actually builds loyalty

✦ What owners should really ask when hiring a pilot

✦ How Curt funded his own $100K+ type ratings — and why it paid off

✦ The difference between being a good pilot and being a great partner

✦ How personal branding and presentation affect pilot opportunity

✦ Smart ways pilots can network, upskill, and earn trust in a tight market

Whether you’re an aircraft owner looking to hire better crew — or a pilot thinking bigger than flight hours — Curt’s story will give you something to fly with.

🔧 Sponsored by:

Charter Flight Support — The only solution that protects owners when mechanical issues strike. charterflightsupport.com

Video Valet — Custom inflight iPads preloaded with movies, magazines, and entertainment. Mention Iron Bird for a free setup. videovalet.io

✈️ The Iron Bird Podcast is where aviation’s sharpest minds share what really matters — behind the scenes, in the air, and on the ramp.

Catch every episode at: flyironbird.com

What happens when your private jet client knows more than your sales team?

In this episode, Dan Harris speaks with Kimberly Herrell, CEO of Schubach Aviation, about what it takes to stay relevant in a market where clients are getting smarter, younger, and more values-driven. From building trust with first-time charter clients to keeping high-frequency fliers loyal, Kimberly shares real-world lessons from decades of running one of California’s most respected boutique charter companies.

She opens up about inheriting a legacy, modernizing the brand, and the unique pressures of operating in a city like San Diego — where tech, lifestyle, and luxury expectations are always in the air.

Inside this episode:

✦ Why Schubach focuses on loyalty over scale

✦ How younger clients are reshaping private aviation expectations

✦ What first-time flyers actually want — and how to earn their trust

✦ The hidden risks of brokering trips with unknown operators

✦ How Kimberly navigated legacy, succession, and brand evolution

✦ Why "boutique" doesn’t mean small — it means intentional

If you care about reputation, retention, and delivering luxury that lasts — this conversation will hit home.

🔧 Sponsored by:

Charter Flight Support — Backstop coverage when mechanicals delay your mission. charterflightsupport.com

Video Valet — Inflight entertainment with no Wi-Fi required. Mention Iron Bird and receive a complimentary iPad setup. videovalet.io

✈️ The Iron Bird Podcast brings together the voices shaping private aviation today — for the clients, owners, and operators who care about doing it right.

Catch all episodes at: flyironbird.com

Guest: Casey Miller, Founder & President, Latitude 33 Aviation

Host: Dan Harris, Iron Bird Partners Podcast

Some people enter aviation through spreadsheets. Casey Miller was raised in the cockpit.

In this episode, Dan Harris talks with Latitude 33’s founder and president, Casey Miller — a pilot, entrepreneur, and operator who turned a side hustle into one of the most respected charter and management companies in the western U.S.

Casey shares how he went from flying freight out of El Paso for $18,000 a year to managing a fleet of 35 aircraft across the West Coast — all without outside capital, acquisition shortcuts, or hypergrowth tactics. The conversation pulls back the curtain on what slow, intentional success really looks like in private aviation.

In this episode:

✦ Why Latitude 33 has never taken on debt — and why that matters

✦ The difference between managing aircraft and managing expectations

✦ When growing too fast puts your certificate (and culture) at risk

✦ Why Casey avoids brokering trips he can’t personally vouch for

✦ The tech bottlenecks holding the industry back (and how AI might help)

✦ How pilot pools, owner expectations, and safety culture intersect

✦ The bonus depreciation wave — and what it really means for charter

Whether you're an aircraft owner, a charter client, or building your own operation — this is a real-world playbook on how to grow in aviation without compromising what matters.

🔧 Sponsored by:

• Charter Flight Support — The only backup coverage that protects you when a mechanical stops your trip. charterflightsupport.com

• Video Valet — Elevate your inflight experience with 1.2M+ movies and magazines—no Wi-Fi required. Mention Iron Bird to get a free custom iPad. videovalet.io

✈️ The Iron Bird Partners Podcast brings high-level conversations from inside the cockpit, boardroom, and hangar.

Explore more episodes at: flyironbird.com

You’ve vetted the aircraft. You’ve seen the badge. You think you're covered.

But what if the biggest threat to your safety isn’t mechanical — it’s organizational?

In this episode, Dan sits down with Al Mann, Director of Safety at Flyhouse and former VP of Safety at Wheels Up, to break open the hidden flaws in how private aviation defines — and often misrepresents — safety.

Al doesn’t just manage risk. He challenges the way operators, clients, and even regulators think about it. From the illusion of audit-based reassurance to why “safety is our top priority” is often just a marketing line, this conversation lifts the curtain on an industry overdue for change.

Inside the episode:

✦ What FAA’s Part 5 SMS really means for private flyers and owners

✦ Why most audits fail to capture actual risk — and what to ask instead

✦ The myth that smaller operators can’t afford real safety programs

✦ What makes a culture of safety (hint: it’s not a checklist)

✦ The question every charter client should be asking — and the answer that separates safe from scary

If you own an aircraft, manage one, or fly on someone else’s dime — this is the episode you can’t afford to miss.

🔧 Sponsored by:

Charter Flight Support — Private aviation’s only coverage that protects you from mechanical delays. charterflightsupport.com

Video Valet — 1.2M+ shows, films, and magazines without the Wi-Fi struggle. Mention Iron Bird to get one custom iPad free. videovalet.io

✈️ The Iron Bird Podcast is your back-pocket guide to flying smarter. For charter clients, aircraft owners, and crew who care about what happens behind the cockpit door.

Catch the next flight: flyironbird.com

Service might wow your guests. But safety? That’s what saves them.

In this powerhouse episode of the Ironbird Podcast, host Daniel Harris sits down with Amanda Piper, a corporate flight attendant, aircare FACTS instructor, and former head of cabin, to explore the unseen but critical elements of flying private. Amanda shares how real leadership happens in the galley—under pressure, behind the scenes, and in moments that passengers never see.

From duct tape solutions to mid-air emergencies, Amanda walks us through her path from Microsoft analyst to one of the most respected voices in cabin safety. This one is a must-listen for anyone serious about elevating private aviation—from owners and operators to aspiring flight crew.

✅ What’s inside this episode?

• Amanda’s path from data analytics to private aviation (and why she walked away from the corporate ladder)
• What truly separates good cabin crew from great ones
• The safety gaps owners and operators overlook—and why it’s risky
• Why luxury starts with preparation, not plating
• FACTS training insights: emergency gear, CRM, AED use, and sim drills
• Amanda’s advice for new flight attendants, and how she’s building the future of safety from the inside

👉 Learn more about aviation leadership, safety training, and industry standards at www.flyironbird.com

🎙 Special Thanks to Our Sponsors:

Charter Flight Support (CFS) – The only coverage in private aviation that protects you when a jet breaks down. From financial recovery to backup aircraft sourcing, CFS ensures your reputation stays intact. Learn more at www.charterflightsupport.com

Video Valet – Entertainment that matches the aircraft experience. With 1.2M+ movies, shows, and articles delivered via fully customized iPads—no Wi-Fi required—Video Valet transforms time in the sky. Mention Ironbird at www.videovalet.com for a complimentary personalized iPad.

Cabo may look like a developed luxury destination—but according to Barrie Livingstone, it's still in its early stages of transformation. In this studio episode of the Ironbird Podcast, host Daniel Harris sits down with Barrie to discuss the hidden dynamics behind Cabo’s explosive growth, the rise of legacy properties, and how high-net-worth travelers are building generational homes at the edge of the Baja Peninsula.

✅ What’s inside this episode?

• Why Cabo feels like the “Aspen of Mexico”—and why that’s just the beginning
• The difference between Cabo San Lucas and San José del Cabo (and why it matters)
• What defines a legacy property—and how families are buying for the next generation
• The top luxury neighborhoods: Palmilla, Querencia, Chileno, Maravilla, and more
• What makes real estate in Cabo unique—and why privacy, climate, and lifestyle matter
• Why developers are racing to build—and how the lack of infrastructure is still a challenge

Whether you’re a real estate investor, a jetsetter looking for a second home, or just fascinated by the evolution of luxury destinations, this episode offers an unfiltered look at the movement shaping modern Cabo.

👉 Explore aviation strategy and private travel insights at www.flyironbird.com.

🎙 Special Thanks to Our Sponsors:

Charter Flight Support (CFS) – The AOG-oholics keeping private aviation on track. Get coverage when a jet breaks, access expert aircraft recovery, and sign up for The Fix, the industry’s go-to newsletter for charter rates, fleet data, and trending aircraft. Visit www.charterflightsupport.com.

Video Valet – The ultimate in-flight experience. With over 1.2M titles available offline on custom iPads, Video Valet ensures your passengers never lose touch with their entertainment. Mention 'Ironbird' to receive a complimentary personalized iPad at www.videovalet.com.

What if your dog could fly private—in the cabin, with gourmet snacks, massage, and a concierge team trained just for them?

In this episode of the Ironbird Podcast, host Daniel Harris sits down with Ryan Rudolph, Senior Manager at Bark Air, the world’s first private jet experience designed entirely around dogs. From on-board bone broth to international dog-friendly concierge services, Bark Air isn’t just a novelty—it’s rewriting the rules of luxury travel for pets and their people.

✅ What’s inside this episode?

• How Bark Inc. scaled from dog toys to dog flights (and why it's working)

• What it really takes to build and run a private airline inside a public company

• The logistics of flying 100+ lb dogs from New York to Paris

• How Bark Air balances AOGs, European regulations, and route planning

• Data-driven insights into customer demand and dog-friendly flight stacking

• Bark’s plans for tech, FBO partnerships, and future destinations

If you’re an aviation entrepreneur, animal lover, or just curious about what innovation looks like in the skies, this episode will surprise you—in the best way.

👉 Learn more about aircraft strategy, charter risk, and private aviation planning at www.flyironbird.com

🎙 Special Thanks to Our Sponsors:

Charter Flight Support (CFS) – The only coverage in private aviation that protects you when a jet breaks down. CFS helps you recover fast, book smart, and keep your reputation intact. Sign up for The Fix newsletter at www.charterflightsupport.com.

Video Valet – The ultimate onboard experience. With up to 1.2M movies, shows, magazines, and news titles delivered on customized iPads—no Wi-Fi required—Video Valet keeps every passenger (and their family) entertained. Mention Ironbird at www.videovalet.com to get a complimentary personalized iPad with your order.

Behind every luxury jet experience lies a maze of contracts, options, and... gotchas. So how do high-net-worth travelers, charter clients, and operators avoid costly mistakes when it comes to jet cards, fractional ownership, and on-demand charter?

In this in-depth Ironbird Podcast episode, host Daniel Harris sits down with Doug Gollan, Founder of Private Jet Card Comparisons, live at NBAA in Las Vegas. Doug pulls back the curtain on private jet pricing strategies, the risks travelers overlook, and why even plane owners are signing up for jet cards in 2025.

✅ What’s inside this episode?

• The real differences between jet cards, fractional, and charter—and how to know what’s right for you
• Why contracts are filled with landmines (and how Doug’s database helps you avoid them)
• How operators and brokers price flights (and when they say yes just to say yes)
• What most first-time flyers and business owners get wrong when buying hours
• The shifting landscape of private jet demand post-COVID
• Red flags to spot in ‘too good to be true’ offers
• How Doug’s team is helping UHNW clients fly smarter with fewer surprises

Whether you're flying private for the first time or reviewing your next aircraft investment strategy, this episode is a must-listen for anyone who wants smarter, safer, and more seamless private travel.

👉 Learn more about aircraft strategy, charter risk, and private aviation planning at www.flyironbird.com

🎙 Special Thanks to Our Sponsors:

Charter Flight Support (CFS) – The only AOG support solution built specifically for the private jet industry. When a trip’s on the line, CFS gets your clients back in the air—fast. Sign up for The Fix, their free newsletter with exclusive data on rates, reliability, and recovery insights at www.charterflightsupport.com.

Video Valet – Elevate your inflight experience. With fully customized iPads and access to over 1.2 million entertainment options, Video Valet ensures every flight feels first-class. Mention Ironbird at www.videovalet.com to receive a complimentary iPad with your order.

Every private flight looks smooth—until it isn’t. A mechanical delay. A grounded jet. A last-minute scramble to recover the trip. What do you do next?

In this studio episode of the Ironbird Podcast, host Daniel Harris sits down with Josh Allen, CEO of Charter Flight Support, to talk about what really happens behind the scenes when a jet goes AOG—and how the right support system can save both your flight and your reputation.

✅ What’s inside this episode?

• What AOG (Aircraft on Ground) really means and how it affects brokers, operators, and owners

• How CFS support plans protect your business, your margin, and your mental health

• Real-world stats: Which aircraft types see the most mechanicals—and why

• The recovery process from first call to getting a replacement aircraft in the air

• Why operators and brokers alike are using CFS to provide fixed-rate peace of mind

Whether you're flying five times a year or managing five flights a day, this episode gives you the inside scoop on the data, support, and strategies that make private aviation run smoothly—even when it doesn’t.

👉 Learn more about private aviation strategy, aircraft advisory, and risk management at www.flyironbird.com.

🎙 Special Thanks to Our Sponsors:

Charter Flight Support (CFS) – The AOG-oholics redefining private aviation with industry-first AOG support solutions. Their Fix Newsletter shares exclusive intel on aircraft performance, average charter rates, and mechanical trends operators can’t ignore. Learn more and sign up at www.charterflightsupport.com.

Video Valet – The premium in-flight entertainment solution for private jets. Mention 'Ironbird' to receive a complimentary custom iPad with your purchase at www.videovalet.com.