Sunset Aviation Established as JetDirect Aviation Light Jet and Turboprop Subsidiary

Nov 24, 2008 12:39 PM

JetDirect Aviation Holdings LLC announced that it has established Sunset Aviation Inc. as its light jet and turboprop management and charter-operating subsidiary with a primary geographic focus in California. Founded in 1992 as an aircraft charter, management, sales and acquisition consulting company in Novato, California, Sunset Aviation was acquired by JetDirect in 2007. Over the years, Sunset developed a particular focus on turboprop and light jet operation in response to market demand.

"Today Sunset is an established leader in that industry segment," Greg Campbell, JetDirect Aviation Holdings LLC chairman, said. "We will leverage Sunset's experience and expertise managing and operating more than 35 turboprop, light jet and VLJs under its air carrier certificate. This newly focused Sunset Aviation is today one of the nation's largest light jet Part 135 charter fleets."

Dan Drohan, Sunset's founder, will serve as Sunset president and CEO. Drohan's management team includes John King, Sunset's chief financial officer and Greg Petersen, the company's chief operating officer. King and Petersen were both with Sunset before the company was acquired by JetDirect and bring tremendous financial and operational depth and experience to the new venture.

"The Sunset operating model provides the economies of scale necessary for Sunset to compete effectively in the light jet and turboprop management charter markets throughout California," said Dave Weil, senior vice president of regional operations and administration for parent JetDirect Aviation.

"With 17 years' experience in this market space, we're now able to combine our expertise and regionally pooled resources with the national purchasing power of JetDirect and its other subsidiaries," Drohan said. "That enables Sunset to provide owners and charter clients with maximum safety and reliability, as well as cost-effective operations, in a tailored and personalized manner. We believe that provides Sunset with a unique competitive edge and outstanding potential for growth, particularly in this economy."

Sunset will continue to operate as an independent Part 135 air carrier with its operations and maintenance controlled from its Petaluma, Calif., headquarters, while accessing certain nonoperational business support, sales and marketing services from the JetDirect affiliates. "This product is a tremendous addition to the JetDirect line of service offerings," Drohan said. "The turboprop and light jet market represent a very important niche within the industry, and I am pleased with our parent company's recognition of our role within that niche."

The new Sunset fleet is comprised of King Airs, Citations, Beechjets, Learjets, Premiers, Hawkers and Eclipse aircraft currently operating from bases throughout California, as well as locations in Texas, Ohio and Florida. Drohan anticipates significant fleet growth in California during the next 18 months.

The speed and range of light jets and turboprops have shown to best serve regional markets. Their operating economics are better suited to pooled rather than dedicated pilot resources, and the JetDirect legacy and component companies have particular strength in serving those markets. "By establishing other California bases with the parent company's national business support, Sunset will be able to leverage our strength and compete very effectively in that market segment," Weil said.

"This is an important part of the original JetDirect vision: to provide tailored operations and services for every market niche," Campbell said. "There's a lot of blue sky ahead, for Sunset and JetDirect."

JetDirect Aviation Holdings LLC is a leading national provider of private aviation services for clients across the country. Its wholly owned subsidiaries include JetDirect Aviation Inc. and Sunset Aviation Inc., each an FAR Part 135 air carrier, as well as other air carrier operating subsidiaries. Each air carrier subsidiary operates independently and in full operational control of its respective fleet and in compliance with all FAA safety standards.

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