The Corporate Jet Investor Podcast

Johnny Foster returns for a second appearance to discuss a major milestone for OGARAJETS: the transition to an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP). 
After exploring private equity and other exit routes, Jonny chose the ESOP model to preserve the culture and legacy he and his father have built over 46 years. Some 30% of the company has now been transferred into a trust for employees, with more shares to follow over time.
 He also shares the team's emotional — and ultimately celebratory — reaction to the surprise announcement.
On the wider market, Johnny is bullish on late-model aircraft through 2030, while flagging older legacy platforms as the segment carrying the most risk. He also hints at future growth through acquisitions, made more attractive by the significant tax advantages the ESOP structure provides.
Thanks for coming back on again Johnny!

Sponsored by Mesinger Jet Sales 
In this Town Hall, we will piggyback on the last edition and take the value discussion to the Legal, Management, and Insurance areas of the transaction. In our January edition, we focused on the brokerage side of the transaction, welcoming Mike Dwyer from Guardian Jet and Chad Anderson from Jetcraft. We also delved into the maintenance side of the transaction, welcoming Mike Minchow from Duncan Aviation.
As we stressed in the last edition, the costs across the different segments of the transaction shape the final value. We will continue in this edition to provide the right questions to ask the providers and help you listen for the right answers.
Jay Mesinger is the CEO and Founder of Mesinger Jet Sales
Shawn McAteer, Director, Business Developmen at Jet Aviation
David Mayer, Aviation Attorney with Shackelford Law
Lance Toland, Founder at Lance Toland Associates Ltd

Dan Drohan, founder and CEO of Solairus, shares his remarkable journey from aviation enthusiast to building a leading aircraft management company. In this episode, he discusses Solairus' unique entrepreneurial culture, the challenges of scaling a business in the aviation industry, and his personal evolution as a leader. 
Listen here for insider insights into the private aviation sector and discover what it takes to build a thriving business from the ground up.
Thank you Dan!

In this episode, we are joined by Jason Middleton, CEO and founder of Silver Air Private Jets. A former elite triathlete turned pilot, Middleton brings an "all-in" mentality to aviation. He shares how Silver Air survived the 2008 financial crisis through relentless focus, and why he prioritises specialisation over vertical integration.
Middleton is a vocal critic of unregulated charter brokers, advocating for operator-level safety standards. He launched Flight Club to give clients transparency and control, a move driving over $100m in annual revenue. During Covid, he kept all staff on payroll, reinforcing his people-first culture. Middleton also emphasises stepping away from the office – whether surfing or hunting – to solve problems creatively.
The conversation touches on leadership lessons, regulatory challenges, global operational risks, the importance of staying connected to the flight deck as a hands-on CEO and much more besides.

Stephen McCullough, Executive Vice President of Engineering, Product Development and Bombardier Defence, shares his deep passion for aviation and the sheer thrill of bringing aircraft like the record-breaking Global 8000 to life.
With more than 36 years at Bombardier, Stephen offers a rare insider’s look into the high-stakes world of elite aircraft development - from pushing the boundaries of speed and performance to delivering unforgettable customer experiences. Driven by relentless engineering excellence and bold innovation, he’s one of the key minds behind some of the most exciting advancements in modern business aviation.
Sharp, insightful, and genuinely enthusiastic about the future of flight, Stephen is exactly the kind of leader who makes us excited about where business aviation is heading next.