On this week’s episode of The VIP Seat, Jessie and Preston take aim at some of the most viral – and most misleading – aviation headlines making the rounds right now. From a Disney heiress getting fact-checked on private jet traffic, to questions about solar flares and Airbus A320 flight control issues, to Amazon’s delivery drones tangling with power lines and cranes, this episode breaks down what’s real, what’s hype, and what actually matters for safety and consumers.​ A special thanks to our sponsor - REAL Jet! Check them out at www.realjet.com

You’ll hear:

• How FAA operations data undercuts the claim that “private jets are clogging U.S. air traffic,” and why business aviation is more than just big Gulfstreams for billionaires.​

• Why Snopes stepping in on a viral anti-private-jet claim matters for the industry’s reputation and public policy debates.​

• What the FAA’s new “ADSB for ground vehicles” surface safety tech is doing at major airports, and how it could reduce runway incursion risk.​

• What is actually known so far about the JetBlue A320 uncommanded pitch event, the software and hardware fixes Airbus is rolling out, and why “solar flare” headlines may be getting ahead of the data.​

• How Amazon’s MK30 delivery drones have recently tangled with wires and cranes, and what those incidents say about the current limits of see-and-avoid technology.​

• A spicy Mile High Madness segment on jet art at Art Basel, “bad guy” aircraft brokers, and why LinkedIn is getting bolder about calling out bad actors.​

If you care about business aviation, safety tech, and cutting through mainstream media noise, this episode is for you. Hit subscribe for more weekly private aviation news, analysis, and behind-the-scenes stories from The VIP Seat.

Welcome back to The VIP Seat: your top destination for private aviation and business aviation news.

This week was HUGE for the industry: tariff relief for Pilatus aircraft, major airport shutdown fights in Boulder and Cleveland, Sky Harbour's expansion at PDK, Textron sunsetting the Baron & Bonanza in favor of the Denali, FAA'S ATC overhaul updates, and spicy corporate espionage accusations between Joby and Archer in the eVTOL world.

Whether you're flying corporate jets, managing a flight department, working in private aviation, or just a business-aviation fanatic - this is the show for you.

The VIP Seat unpacks everything from hydrogen-powered helicopters to a Dulles people-mover slamming into a terminal. Jessie and Preston kick off the show addressing last week’s AI-generated newsletter chaos before diving into the newest NBAA Standard Operating Procedures and what standardized training could mean for Part 135 safety.

Then it’s into Mile High Madness, where Jessie finally solves a lifelong mystery: what the Airbus PTU (“the barking dog”) actually looks like. From there, the conversation shifts to hydrogen propulsion breakthroughs, including Unither’s fuel-cell Robinson R44 and why hydrogen may beat batteries for real-world range, noise reduction, and future operating costs.

The duo also unpacks the Dulles “mobile lounge” crash (one of sixteen accidents in the past decade) and wonders aloud why this relic still exists. And in M&A land, Freeman Holdings continues its buying spree, snapping up the sole FBO in Waco while quietly expanding both its Million Air franchises and its own Freeman Jet Center brand.

The episode wraps with a charge to listeners: keep spreading the love, bring a friend into the VIP Seat universe

On this Veterans Day edition of The VIP Seat, Jessie Naor is joined by guest co-host Tyler Flagg, Air Force veteran and founder of Flying Company, for a high-altitude look at the week’s biggest aviation stories.

From Archer Aviation’s bold $126M airport grab in Los Angeles to the FAA’s unprecedented private-jet restrictions during the government shutdown, Jessie and Tyler unpack what it all means for charter operators, pilots, and the future of eVTOL.

They dive into a troubling ASAP retaliation case (Link), fuel-supply risks that have California importing jet fuel from Russia via India, and the NTSB’s urgent alert over Learjet landing-gear failures.

Plus, a dose of Mile High Madness featuring an overworked (and very fictional) Newark air traffic controller who’s had enough: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DJ4lNk3AmuK/?hl=en

Whether you’re a pilot, operator, or aviation geek, this episode covers the turbulence behind the headlines—and why safety culture, transparency, and innovation still matter most.

🎖️ Special thanks to our veterans for their service.

💼 Guest: Tyler Flagg, CEO of the Flying Company

#BusinessAviation #PrivateJets #AviationSafety #VeteransDay #eVTOL #Learjet #TheVIPSeat #Archer #FAA #Shutdown

In one of the most candid conversations ever recorded on The VIP Seat, Flexjet’s Kenn Ricci joins Jessie Naor and Preston Holland to unpack the billion-dollar legal showdown with Honeywell — and what it means for every operator, owner, and investor in business aviation. From the origins of “power by the hour” engine programs to the hidden monopolies and financial risks they create, Ricci breaks down why he believes the system is broken and how Flexjet’s fight could rewrite the rules for the entire industry.

In this week’s episode of The VIP Seat, Jessie checks in from Haifa while Preston battles a rainy Tennessee morning as they unpack a major shake-up in Textron’s electric aviation division, the surprising grounding risks facing Hawker operators, and Sikorsky’s unveiling of an autonomous Black Hawk. From “ICE Barbie’s” $200 million Gulfstream controversy to Embraer’s record-breaking backlog, this episode dives deep into the stories shaping private and business aviation. Tune in for insights, headlines, and a few laughs from your favorite cockpit-side commentators.

Fresh from the NBAA-BACE show in Las Vegas, Jessie Naor and Preston Holland recap one of the most eventful weeks in private aviation — from Bill Papariella’s record-breaking $1.7B Bombardier order and the launch of a new KKR-backed fractional program to Verijet’s Chapter 7 filing and Van Allen’s acquisition of Essex Aviation. They dig into the latest market trends, rising fuel costs, and new Argus audit standards — all with their signature blend of sharp analysis and Mile High Madness humor. Whether you’re an operator, broker, or aviation enthusiast, this episode is your fast pass to everything shaping the business aviation landscape right now.

Fresh from the NBAA-BACE show in Las Vegas, Jessie Naor and Preston Holland unpack one of the biggest weeks in private aviation — from Bill Papariella’s $1.7 billion Bombardier order and the rise of a new KKR-backed fractional program to Verijet’s Chapter 7 filing and Van Allen’s acquisition of Essex Aviation. They break down market trends, fuel prices, and the latest Argus audit changes, with a dose of Mile High Madness humor and insider insights. Whether you’re an operator, broker, or aviation geek, this episode will get you up to speed on everything shaping the biz-av industry right now. 

This week on The VIP Seat, hosts Jessie Naor and Preston Holland dive into a packed lineup shaping the future of business aviation. From SyberJet’s surprise relaunch of the stretched SJ36 light jet to Hop-A-Jet’s lawsuit against GE and Bombardier following last year’s Challenger 604 accident, the team breaks down what these moves mean for operators and manufacturers alike. Plus, Jessie and Preston react to Gulfstream’s long-awaited G300 reveal, the Leviate-Vault Aviation acquisition, and the latest FAA NextGen audit showing how the program has missed the mark, to say the least.

Whether you fly, manage, or follow private aviation, this episode connects the dots between technology, regulation, and the people shaping the skies.

Jessie’s Links:Private Aviation Safety Alliance: www.FlyingPrivate.org LinkedIn: ⁠jessienaor ⁠Preston’s Links:Prestige Aircraft Finance:⁠https://prestigefinance.com/⁠Private Jet Insider (Newsletter):⁠ https://prestonholland.com⁠ LinkedIn: ⁠/prestonholland ⁠X (Formerly Known as Twitter): ⁠https://x.com/prestonholland6⁠

In this episode of The VIP Seat, Jessie Naor and Preston Holland dissect the biggest stories impacting private aviation today. We cover Flexjet's bold 300-aircraft order of Otto Aviation's innovative Phantom 3500 and explore Mexico's new regulations affecting charter flights. Additionally, we’ll discuss the recent shake-ups at the FAA under the DOT headquarters and how these changes may affect business aviation operations. Tune in for exclusive insights on illegal charter enforcement, new brokerage developments, and enjoy our fun segment, Mile High Madness, where we chat about the lighter side of aviation. Don't miss this essential listening for anyone involved in or interested in private jets and executive travel!

Jessie’s Links:Private Aviation Safety Alliance: www.FlyingPrivate.org LinkedIn: ⁠jessienaor  ⁠Preston’s Links:Prestige Aircraft Finance:⁠https://prestigefinance.com/⁠Private Jet Insider (Newsletter):⁠ https://prestonholland.com⁠ LinkedIn: ⁠/prestonholland  ⁠X (Formerly Known as Twitter): ⁠https://x.com/prestonholland6⁠