OWN THE JET

Buying an aircraft is a milestone. Successfully owning one is a journey. In this episode of Own The Jet , Derik Savage and Jason Spoor sit down with Joe Barber, Chief Commercial Officer at Clay Lacy Aviation, to discuss everything that happens after the purchase. From aircraft management and charter revenue to maintenance, FBO services, and assembling the right advisory team, Joe explains why succ...

Emergencies in private aviation are rare. Being prepared for them isn't. In this episode of Own The Jet , Brian Hayvaz, Vice President of Operations at Aircare International, explains how pilots, flight attendants, and passengers train for the moments they hope they'll never experience. From aircraft fires and medical emergencies to cabin evacuations and survival training, Brian shares how realist...

Most people know Boeing and Airbus build airplanes. Few realize those aircraft often leave the factory as empty shells. In this episode of Own The Jet, Derik Savage and Jason Spoor sit down with Adam White, CEO of Comlux America, and Ben Williamson, Vice President of Sales, to explore one of aviation's best-kept secrets: the industry responsible for transforming commercial aircraft into custom pri...

In this episode of Own The Jet, Kaye Gitibin, CEO of Go Rentals, shares how he and his brother built a company with just seven cars and a vision to deliver a level of service the rental car industry had never seen before. Today, Go Rentals is the only major car rental company focused exclusively on private aviation, luxury hotels, and high-net-worth travelers. Kaye explains how understanding clien...

Most people think aircraft detailing is only about appearance. In this episode of Own The Jet, Dustin Zeitler, founder of RealClean Aircraft Detailing, explains why it’s really about protecting a multi-million dollar asset. With more than 20 years in aviation, Dustin breaks down the operational side of aircraft care, from corrosion prevention and paint revitalization to interior restoration, fleet...

In this episode of Own The Jet , Phil Jordan, Chairman of GLADA, breaks down the reality of aircraft brokerage, where there’s no licensing requirement, and the difference between a good deal and a bad one often comes down to experience, transparency, and relationships. We cover what to look for in a broker, common red flags, and why timing and market awareness play a critical role in every transac...

In this episode of Own The Jet, Bryan Duhl joins us to break down how helicopters fit into the world of private aviation, and where they provide a unique advantage. From access and logistics to real-world use cases, Bryan shares how helicopters are used to move clients efficiently and effectively in ways traditional aircraft can’t. The conversation explores how helicopters integrate into broader t...

n this episode of Own the Jet, John Owen, CEO of Airshare, joins us to break down the realities of entering private aviation through fractional ownership, jet cards, and aircraft management. With decades of experience building one of the industry’s most versatile aviation platforms, John shares how buyers can approach ownership decisions with clarity and avoid long-term financial commitments that...

In this episode of Own the Jet , Ryan DeMoor of MySky joins us to discuss one of the most overlooked aspects of private aviation: understanding and managing the true cost of operating an aircraft. Drawing on billions of dollars in validated operating data, Ryan explains how cost transparency has historically been difficult for jet owners and why better data is changing the way owners, operators, a...

In this episode of Own the Jet , Aspen Aero Group President Jason Spoor answers one of the most common questions prospective aircraft owners ask: what jet should I buy? Rather than starting with a specific aircraft, Jason walks through the thinking behind the decision and how experienced advisors help buyers narrow the field. Using the example of a growing construction company owner traveling acro...

In this special on-location episode of Own the Jet , we visit the West Michigan Aviation Academy (WMAA) at the Gerald R. Ford International Airport. WMAA CEO Nicole Gasper and Dean George Pavey join us to discuss their unique public charter high school model that prepares students for the high-stakes demands of the aviation industry. George shares how his background as a Marine pilot informs their...

Join us on this step-by-step mini-series, How To Buy A Jet. In Part 1, host Derik Savage sits down with Jason Spoor, Founder & President, Aspen Aero Group, to help you decide if ownership makes sense.  You’ll learn how to match your travel mission to the right path: charter, jet card, fractional, or whole ownership, while weighing budgets, operating costs, availability, optics, financing, and...

In this episode, Aspen Aero Group founder and president Jason Spoor steps from co-host to guest to share how a lifetime in aviation shapes smarter jet ownership. He traces his path from earning an A&P and flying professionally to leading corporate flight departments and advising buyers as a broker. You’ll get practical guidance on entering private aviation, whether charter, fractional, or whol...

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 air...

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 decisio...

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 sh...

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...

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 modific...

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...

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 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 pati...

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...

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-qualif...

In this episode of Own the Jet, we sit down with Nada Ragland, Partner at Aero Law Center, to explore the critical role aviation law plays in aircraft transactions and ownership. Nada shares real-world experiences from cross-border deals and explains how legal missteps can stall or even derail transactions. From tariffs and international regulations to contract structures and closing protections,...

In this episode of Own the Jet, Roger Woolsey, CEO of Million Air, joins us to share his perspective on the world of private aviation from the helm of one of the industry’s most prestigious FBO networks. Roger reveals how Million Air elevates the private flying experience beyond fueling and hangar space, delivering unmatched luxury for aircraft owners where service, privacy, and comfort are essent...