In this episode, we’re recapping year one of Own the Jet—the biggest themes, lessons, and takeaways so far. We’ve covered everything from interiors, financing, MROs, and FBOs to wing flex, smarter tax planning, and decoding aviation’s alphabet soup. And we’re just getting started! 

Expect more trips, more industry experts, and more practical advice to help you buy, staff, and operate the right aircraft for your mission.

Guests (in order):

Roger Woolsey — https://www.millionair.com

Mark Masluch — https://www.bombardier.com

Preston Holland — https://prestigefinance.com/

Rebecca Fre-Hiwet — https://www.corpangelnetwork.org

KJ McCarter — https://www.aviationtaxconsultants.com/

David Zipkin — https://www.flytradewind.com

Sarah Mespelt Larranaga — https://sarahlarranaga.com/

Adam Slepian — https://www.ottoaero.com

Stephen Maiden — https://www.weststaraviation.com

Nada Ragland — https://aerolawcenter.com/

Lisa Stewart — https://www.campsystems.com

Matt Walter — https://www.guardianjet.com

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Produced by: https://www.savagemedia.com

In this episode, Linda Frankl of ADK Consulting & Executive Search explains how relationship-driven recruiting builds winning aviation teams. We dig into confidential executive searches, why culture fit beats a perfect resume, and what great Directors of Aviation actually do. 

Linda shares how ADK evaluates leaders beyond the resume, including self-recorded candidate videos, real-world decision making, and communication under pressure. We cover airports, FBOs, and corporate flight departments, the talent squeeze from the airlines, and why AI can assist checklists but cannot replace leadership, compliance, or judgment. 

You will also hear how ADK’s network opens doors in a small industry and what to prepare before you hire.

Learn more about ADK: https://adkexecutivesearch.com/

Brought by: https://www.aspenaerogroup.com/

Produced by: https://www.savagemedia.com/

In this episode of Own the Jet, Sarah Larranaga, aviation designer and engineer, lifts the curtain on bespoke jet interiors and exteriors for brands, celebrities, and business leaders. 

Sarah explains how safety and certification drive every decision, how to work with OEMs and completion centers, and why weight and range are the real currencies of design. From pink leather seat details to steam showers and display credenzas, Sarah shows what is possible, what is smart, and where to compromise.

You will hear stories from high-profile projects, including Paris Hilton’s aircraft and campaigns for global brands, plus what is next with a WWE Bombardier 6500. 

Whether you want a subtle refresh or a full tear-down rebuild, this conversation will help you buy right, scope clearly, and design an aircraft that works for your mission.

Connect with Sarah Larranaga: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarah-mespelt-larranaga-08904b6b/

Brought by: https://www.aspenaerogroup.com/
Produced by: https://www.savagemedia.com/

In this episode of Own the Jet, Matt Walter, Managing Partner at Guardian Jet, explains how a consultative brokerage helps buyers make smarter decisions from day one. He covers when to move from charter or fractional to whole ownership.

Matt lays out how to vet a broker in an unregulated market, the value of acting as your acquisition agent, and the tradeoffs between the “best deal” and the “best airplane.”  

Whether you are a first-time buyer or leading a flight department, this conversation shows how the right guidance turns a complex purchase into a confident investment.

To learn more about Guardian Jet, visit https://www.guardianjet.com

Brought by: https://www.aspenaerogroup.com
Produced by: https://www.savagemedia.com/

In this episode of Own the Jet, Stephen Maiden, CEO of West Star Aviation, shares how a top independent MRO keeps business aircraft safe, reliable, and flying.

Stephen breaks down pre-purchase inspections, annual and major inspection cycles, and why minimizing downtime matters. He explains West Star’s one-stop capabilities for airframe maintenance, interiors, avionics upgrades, and complex modifications.

Whether you are an owner, a flight department leader, or new to jet ownership, this conversation shows how choosing the right maintenance partner protects safety, uptime, and long-term aircraft value.

To learn more about West Star Aviation, visit https://www.weststaraviation.com

Brought by: https://www.aspenaerogroup.com/
Produced by: https://www.savagemedia.com/

In this episode, we hit the NBAA-BACE static at Henderson Executive Airport to spotlight what matters to jet owners right now: comfort, efficiency, and future of aviation. Bombardier walks us through Global-series wing flex and updates on the Global 8000 and U.S. service expansion. Epic Aircraft talks about the carbon-fiber E1000AX with Starlink Wi-Fi and Garmin Emergency Autoland. OTTO Aerospace unveils the Phantom 3500 super-mid concept targeting big range with dramatically lower fuel burn. 

To learn more about the companies featured in this episode:

Bombardier — https://bombardier.com

Epic Aircraft — https://epicaircraft.com

OTTO Aerospace — https://ottoaerospace.com

Brought to you by: https://www.aspenaerogroup.com

Produced by: https://www.savagemedia.com

In this episode, we hit the NBAA-BACE show floor in Las Vegas to spotlight what matters to jet owners right now: speed, safety, connectivity, and support. Boom Supersonic shares how they’re pursuing faster, quieter, more comfortable travel. VisionSafe demonstrates the Emergency Vision Assurance System (EVAS), which provides a clear pocket of air so pilots can see their instruments and land safely in the event of cockpit smoke. Gogo Business Aviation explains multi-orbit and next-gen air-to-ground internet for streaming and work in flight.

We also talk MRO strategy with StandardAero (engines, avionics, interiors), fuel and family-run service with Cutter Aviation, and emergency training and telemedicine with AirCare International—practical essentials for every owner.

To learn more about the companies featured in this episode:
Boom Supersonic — https://boomsupersonic.com
VisionSafe (EVAS) — https://www.visionsafe.com
Gogo Business Aviation — https://www.gogoair.com
StandardAero — https://www.standardaero.com
Cutter Aviation — https://www.cutteraviation.com
AirCare International — https://www.aircareinternational.com

Brought to you by: https://www.aspenaerogroup.com
Produced by: https://www.savagemedia.com

In this episode of Own the Jet, Rebecca Fre-Hiwet from Corporate Angel Network talks about how private jet owners can turn empty seats into life-saving opportunities. She explains how Corporate Angel Network matches unused seats on corporate and private aircraft with cancer patients who need transportation to treatment.

Since 1981, the organization has completed nearly 70,000 flights, helping patients access world-class care while easing the burden of travel during their most difficult moments. Rebecca shares how simple it can be to participate and why generosity in aviation has a lasting impact on families.

To learn more about Corporate Angel Network, visit https://www.corpangelnetwork.org

Brought to you by: https://www.aspenaerogroup.com
Produced by: https://www.savagemedia.com

In this episode of Own the Jet, David Zipkin of Tradewind Aviation talks about why private flying is ultimately about saving time. He explains how a fleet of Pilatus PC-12s delivers efficiency, convenience, and access to destinations big jets can’t reach. From by-the-seat service on routes like Nantucket and St. Barts to the realities of ownership and charter offsets, David explains why it’s more important to choose an aircraft based on the mission you need it to fly rather than focusing on the model itself. By focusing first on the mission when making decisions, owners and flyers can choose the right aircraft for the job.

To learn more about Tradewind Aviation, visit https://www.flytradewind.com
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Produced by: https://www.savagemedia.com/

In this episode of Own the Jet, Jason Wardwell and Gregg Salser of Jet Pro Pilots explain the crewing decisions that make jet ownership safe and seamless. They outline their three engagement models—JetPro Trip (on-demand crewing as employer of record), JetPro Recruit (full-time placement with guarantees), and JetPro HR (a PEO-style solution with long-term crews and benefits)—and why captain-qualified pilots, insurance/FAA verification, and culture fit matter.

They share practical acquisition advice: evaluate training availability before chasing “bargain” airframes, plan crewing in parallel with the transaction, and use trial trips to confirm fit. You’ll also hear a memorable story about sourcing Russian-speaking pilots to support astronaut flights into Kazakhstan, and how their nationwide CrewTrack network solves niche requests.

Whether you lead a corporate flight department or you’re buying your first jet, this conversation shows how the right crewing partner protects safety, budget, and peace of mind.

To learn more about Jet Pro Pilots, visit https://www.jetpropilots.com

Brought to you by: https://www.aspenaerogroup.com/

Produced by: https://www.savagemedia.com/