Throughout the three-day course of the 2023 NBAA BACE, held at the Las Vegas Convention Center, Pro Star played a role in some significant updates for business aviation. While I was not personally present this year, Pro Star had both of its regional sales managers, as well as the general manager, in attendance. Despite the smaller than normal attendance contingency in Las Vegas, it still had one of its most, if not the most, productive conventions yet.

In April of this year, I discussed the reservations I had with certain unanswered questions relating to the Starlink system designed for Business Aviation. In the months following, we have seen updates that have clarified some of my concerns. No update, however, has been quite as massive as the announcement made earlier this month. Both Starlink Aviation and Nextant Aerospace have been approved by the FAA to install their connectivity solution on all Gulfstream G650 aircraft.

Pro Star Aviation just accomplished its biggest milestone yet: 25 years in business. I recently sat down with Managing Partner Kevin Harriman and Director of Sales and Marketing Jeff Shaw, both of whom have been there since the start. We reflected on Pro Star’s first quarter century in aviation, as well as what is in store for the future of the company.

Last month, I spoke with general manager Sean Peterson to discuss our progress as the Northeast Embraer service center. I continued my conversation with Sean to discuss some of the accomplishments the service center has achieved, as well as where we stand with some key inspections and pre-purchase evaluations. Additionally, I wanted to know what steps the service center is taking to prepare for further growth in the months and years to come.

The start of the new calendar year marks an important change for Pro Star Aviation. Clark Gordon, former Director of Sales and Marketing, has retired. For twelve dedicated years, Clark helped to steer our ship and grow our business into what it is today. Clark is now stepping down, leaving behind a 40+ year journey within the aviation industry. Despite his impressive career, Clark was not always in Sales. In fact, he began like many members of our management team: on the line.

Last month, we concluded that the old adage for spending money on your aging aircraft no longer applies. When the demand for new aircraft dramatically outweighs the supply, it makes sense to modify your current aircraft beyond the once-golden standard of 25% of its value.

As we explored in Part One, the cultural consciousness of aviation was at an all-time high during the 1950s and 60s. However, this could not last forever.

As we explored in Part One, the cultural consciousness of aviation was at an all-time high during the 1950s and 60s. However, this could not last forever.

On business aircraft, there are three things that must be functional before you can begin your flight. The internet, the engines, and the pilots…and the last two are optional. Of course, this is a comedic exaggeration, really there are many more things that are necessities. The joke here being, however, that in-flight connectivity is truly becoming the most important element of business aviation. If it were possible for an aircraft owner to fly a plane without a pilot, they probably would do that rather than attempt to fly without the internet. It is particularly important for airplane owners today to be aware of where their connectivity is coming from, as the world of In-Flight Connectivity (IFC) is in a state of major flux.

In July of 2021, Pro Star became an Embraer authorized service center. Since then, we have served as the main OEM approved maintenance facility in the Northeast U.S. As the two-year anniversary as an Embraer service center rapidly approaches, I sat down with general manager, Sean Peterson, to see where we stand as we mark this milestone.