Mark Huber is an aviation industry veteran who has worked in the flight training, aircraft sales, aircraft component, and airport development businesses. He has flight time in more than 50 different and diverse aircraft, including helicopters, aerobatic aircraft, vintage warbirds, jet fighters, business jets and turboprops, and transport-category aircraft. He has jumped out of several of these—on purpose—with a parachute. His defense and aviation journalism has been published in a variety of national and international periodicals.

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Mark Huber

Clay Lacy Aviation (Booth No. N5115) has added 15 more aircraft to its managed and charter fleets so far in the second half of 2013. The Van Nuys, Calif.-based company said that the additions represent the highest rates of growth in those fleets since the company was founded in 1968 and suggested that it is a strong signal of a resurgent business jet market, especially in Southern California.


The company currently operates a mixed fleet of 75 business jets from bases at Carlsbad, Oakland, Santa Monica and Van Nuys as well as from Dallas and Seattle. The 15 new aircraft include a Challenger 605 and a 601-3A; an Embraer Legacy 600; a Falcon 2000; several Gulfstreams (a G550, a GV, a G450, three GIVSPs and a G200); two Hawker 900XPs and one 800; and a Learjet 45XR.


“Our clients are showing renewed excitement about owning and flying business aircraft,” said Clay Lacy president Brain Kirkdoffer. Clay Lacy operates FBOs in Van Nuys and Seattle and is an authorized Embraer Phenom 100/300 service center. The company has serviced more than 30 percent of the Phenom 100 fleet flying today, maintains a $1.5 million Embraer parts inventory and specialized aircraft tooling and recently completed significant maintenance inspections and cabin upgrades of JetSuite’s fleet of 13 Phenom 100s. This work included the installation of high-speed Aircell Gogo Biz Wi-Fi air-to-ground telecom, cabin interior upgrades, 12- or 24-month inspections, engine overhaul, service bulletin compliance and exterior paint refreshment. JetSuite’s Phenom 100s fly more than 100 hours each per month.

News and issues concerning the aviation charter and fractional-ownership industries and markets, including company announcements, regulations, new developments and labor issues.

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