Ironbird Podcast

Episodios disponibles

5 de 32

Where Maintenance Meets Safety: Culture, Communication, and the Real Risk
Safety is not a department. It is an enterprise system.In this live panel, Dan Harris sits down with Al Mann, Rob Cox, and Michael Parrish to map what safety really looks like when pilots, maintenance, leadership, and systems work as one. From getting mechanics to buy in, to digitizing squawks, to choosing when to keep work in-house vs. moving to a 145, the group shares practical ways to reduce risk without losing speed.You’ll hear how culture turns reporting into improvement, why frequent safety briefs beat annual trainings, and how AI and better data can push predictive maintenance from guesswork to planning.Inside this episode✦ Why “safety” works best as a whole-enterprise management system✦ Turning broker and pilot knowledge into structured data that prevents surprises✦ Getting shop-floor buy-in: frequent briefs, open reporting, visible follow-through✦ Where auto-pricing and automation fail without fee data, schedules, and accuracy✦ In-house vs. 145: risk, tooling, training, and when scale makes the call✦ How to vet an MRO: ask what they are truly expert in (watch for “everything”)✦ Digital squawks, photos, and video that shorten troubleshooting time✦ Predictive maintenance: moving tribal knowledge into usable datasets✦ Scaling from 4 to 30 aircraft without losing safety culture✦ Acting like a larger operator: Part 5 readiness, SOPs, promotion, and retrainingWhether you run a two-aircraft certificate or a national fleet, this is a framework for building a safety culture that actually shows up in daily decisions.🔧 Sponsored byCharter Flight Support — Coverage that protects your mission when a mechanical stops your aircraft, plus help sourcing quality backup lift fast. charterflightsupport.comVideo Valet — Up to 1.2M movies, shows, and magazines onboard with no Wi-Fi needed. Mention Iron Bird for one free custom iPad. videovalet.io✈️ The Iron Bird Podcast brings real conversations from the cockpit, boardroom, and hangar to the people who care about doing private aviation right.Catch every episode at flyironbird.com.
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⁠Tech vs. Touch: What Private Jet Flyers Still Expect
Digitization is changing how private aviation sells, books, and delivers service. The hard part is doing it without losing the human touch. In this live NBAA conversation, FlyHouse’s Jason Firestone and Roddie Hoyle sit down with Portia Jensen-Corsetti of Portside to map the real work behind click-to-book, from cleaner data and schedule visibility to pricing logic and operator buy-in.They walk through what truly blocks automation today, where AI and APIs help, and why operators still need a named human on every trip to handle exceptions, AOG moments, and concierge-level requests. The goal is a seamless marketplace that lifts small operators too, not just the majors.Inside this episode✦ Keeping “client intimacy” while moving bookings into an app✦ Broker knowledge turned into front-end guardrails that prevent seat and luggage surprises✦ Back-end reality for operators: seat maps, lav seats, pets, and other gotchas that must be structured as data✦ Why auto-pricing stalls: FBO fee files, special event fees, and inconsistent inputs✦ A practical automation path: filter spam RFPs, pre-build quotes, and let humans verify and send✦ Schedule truth vs optimism: crew medicals, maintenance slips, and dentist-appointment conflicts✦ Implementation that sticks: internal champions, retraining cycles, and security comfort with cloud systems✦ Why UX and brand will decide which apps win once everyone has one✦ The DoorDash lesson: service recovery and ease of transaction keep users on platform✦ How marketplaces can spotlight mom-and-pop operators and create new demandWhether you run a two-aircraft certificate or a national fleet, this is a blueprint for scaling with tech while staying personal where it counts.Sponsored By:Charter Flight Support — Coverage that protects your mission when a mechanical stops your aircraft and helps you source backup lift fast. charterflightsupport.comVideo Valet — Up to 1.2M movies, shows, and magazines onboard with no Wi-Fi needed. Mention Iron Bird to get one custom iPad free. videovalet.io✈️ The Iron Bird Podcast brings real conversations from the cockpit, boardroom, and hangar to the people who care about doing private aviation right.Catch every episode at flyironbird.com.
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Private Jet Trends 2025: What the Data Is Really Saying
Private Jet Trends 2025: What the Data Is Really SayingLive from NBAA Las Vegas, Dan Harris sits down with two of the most data-driven minds in private aviation: Doug Gollan of Private Jet Card Comparisons and Richard Koe of WINGX. Together, they bridge the gap between customer sentiment and actual flight data to explore what’s really happening in the charter, fractional, and jet card market.This isn’t just a conversation about numbers — it’s a reality check on perceptions, pricing, and where demand is heading. From AI in aviation ops to the comeback of light jets, from Florida’s dominance to Texas’s breakout year — this episode is packed with insights that will challenge what you think you know about today’s jet landscape.Whether you’re an operator, an owner, a broker, or a buyer — this episode is your market radar.Why media headlines about flying demand don’t match the numbersThe real impact of AI in aviation — and what’s still hypeHow jet card pricing is evolving (and why it feels like the Grand Bazaar)Where private flying is actually growing in the U.S. (Texas is booming)What matters most to jet card buyers in 2025 — and how to win themHow WINGX is connecting corporate flight activity to stock performanceWhether fractional is eating charter’s lunch — or just expanding the tableCharter Flight Support – Get peace of mind when a mechanical threatens your trip. Financial and operational backup: charterflightsupport.comVideo Valet – Fully loaded iPads with inflight entertainment, no Wi-Fi needed. Mention Iron Bird to get one free: videovalet.io✈️ The Iron Bird Podcast brings you honest, data-driven conversations with the people shaping the private aviation industry.🎧 Listen now at: flyironbird.com/private_jet_podcast🧠 What You’ll Learn🔧 Sponsored By
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Inside the Biggest Aviation Acquisition of the Year: Flyhouse x Sun Air Jets
Recorded live from NBAA in partnership with FlyhousePrivate 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 mergerWhether 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 byCharter Flight Support — The only coverage that protects you when a mechanical issue grounds your jet. charterflightsupport.comVideo 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
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Curt Marker: Insights from 10,000 hours
How Curt Marker Balances Jets, Real Estate, and ReputationGuest: Curt Marker, Pilot & Real Estate InvestorHost: Dan Harris, IronBird Partners PodcastNot 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 marketWhether 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.comVideo 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
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