Charter Spotlight: Priester Aviation

Air Charter Journal recently spoke with Priester Aviation President, Rich Ropp. Priester Aviation is one of the largest private aviation companies in the United States. Their services include executive jet charter, aircraft management and aviation consulting.

1) What sets your operation apart from the competition?
Our heritage of commitment to our clients. It’s something that started 75 years ago with our founder, George Priester, and carries through today under our Chairman, Andy Priester, the third generation of the family to lead this company. We deliver on that legacy daily to our clients, with expertise in every facet of private aviation. Our team members have been with us for years, and they have the deep connections and relationships throughout the industry to offer unmatched capabilities. We have aircraft strategically positioned across the globe, providing maximum flexibility and value. We’re striving every day to be the most respected, trusted and experienced operator in the country. We know our customers personally and we look out for their interests first and foremost to best serve their needs. We create relationships beyond a balance sheet. 

Given our legacy brand and overall bench strength, we have the base required to build our fleet and operational reach with our unwavering safety platform and tailored flight solutions for any aircraft type.  We are nimble enough to move with the market as it changes with solid footing to ensure the stability that aircraft owners and charter clients seek.

2) How would you describe your fleet or flagship aircraft?
It’s robust and diverse and fulfills a variety of missions to meet customers’ travel needs. We are constantly expanding to meet growing demand in both owner use (Part 91) and charter revenue (Part 135) management services programs. We have numerous business jet aircraft in our sales pipeline to add to our expansive, global fleet and we recently added a Bombardier Global 6000, a Gulfstream G500, Dassault Falcon 2000LXS, Bombardier Challenger 300, and a Bombardier Learjet 45XR. 

Our super-mid aircraft such as the Hawker 4000s, Citation Sovereigns are quite popular with frequent private travelers, providing transcontinental range and a large enough cabin for full team travel. But with everything from light to heavy aircraft, Priester has the capabilities to match our clients’ travel requests globally.

3) What does the future look like for your company?
It’s bright. We’re fortunate to have this amazing legacy within aviation, but also the opportunity to grow at the same time. One of our goals is to help share the power of our personal service and attention to a larger audience. There may be an association that Priester is only a Chicago or Midwest-focused company, but that’s just not the case. We serve locations across the country and have ties internationally. Our priorities going forward are to make more connections to different bases and expand our reach, without sacrificing what makes Priester special. Our executive team will continue to strategize on refinement of our processes and mapping to ensure that we are optimized and that the extra time realized can be redirected for new projects, expansion, and client experience improvement. We will be looking at new technology, expansion locations, partnership opportunities, and cost efficiencies.

4) How did you get into aviation?
Once I had my drivers license, I drove to a local airfield and cleaned a couple of flight school airplanes in exchange for free flight hours.  This quickly led to an after-school job fueling flight school aircraft.  Those first aviation opportunities created a pathway forward that allowed me to move into the business jet world including roles at FBO’s, flight departments, owning and operating an aircraft detailing company, scheduling and dispatching, and then sales and leadership roles throughout the 2000’s.  I’ve been in the industry for 35 years now and one of the highlights was opening Jet Linx’s new St. Louis base eight years ago.  Our team was able to build one of the leading locations for the Jet Linx network through high-touch service with a local touch. 

5) What is your most popular itinerary/destination?
A significant percentage of our customers are flying from the Chicago area, but given our international based aircraft, their destinations are all over the world. We see a lot of transcontinental routes, such as Miami to Seattle or New York to the Bay Area. But if it’s where they need to go, we’ll find a way to make that happen. We constantly fly to Brazil, Thailand, and throughout Europe. It’s about the flexibility that private aviation provides.

6) What is your #1 travel tip for charter travelers?
Do the research on the company you’re working with. Longevity in this business makes a difference. It’s a way you can verify the quality of the crew, the safety and maintenance precautions, and the level of service you’re likely to receive. That might not always equate to the operation with the cheapest costs. But if you’re making the commitment to flying privately, you want the charter atmosphere to be everything you’re expecting it to be – with no surprises. You’re choosing charter for the time savings, the convenience and the overall experience. Finding the right company, that’s reputable, has a depth of resources, and has a verifiable track record, will go a long way to ensure your trip is worry-free and successful.

7) Fun stories or narrative to share:
My father worked for Trans World Airlines, so I was able to fly for free as a perk until I was 21 years old. After getting my driver’s license, I would skip high school on occasion and jump on random flights to Chicago, New York, West Palm Beach, Washington, DC, and several others which was great fun given the sites I saw, people I met, and the service I received.  However, one day my father learned of a trip I was on and actually grounded me on the jetway during my arrival back into St. Louis. 

I still look up anytime I hear an aircraft overhead and I call out the type of aircraft, airline livery if applicable, any other random aviation information I can recite which still drives my wife crazy after two decades of marriage.  This business never gets old to me and I feel blessed to be a part of it.

8) Where are you located? 
1061 S. WOLF RD.
WHEELING, IL, United States
Tel: 847-537-1133, 888-323-7887
Fax: 847-459-0778
Email: quotes@priesterav.com
http://www.priesterav.com