HOUSTON, TX, September 26, 2024 – Lilium (NASDAQ: LILM), a leading electric aircraft manufacturer and pioneer in Regional Air Mobility (RAM), is today debuting the Lilium Jet, the world’s first fully electric jet that can take off and land vertically, to the U.S. market. The Lilium Jet is designed and optimized for regional travel with an aerodynamic shape and ducted electric fans that prioritize efficiency and speed during forward flight. With an anticipated initial operating range of roughly 110 miles, the Lilium Jet will be capable of quickly connecting Houstonians to the broader region, with routes like Houston Hobby Airport to Galveston, Houston Spaceport to College Station, The Woodlands to Galveston, and others. Galaxy FBO’s Houston-area facilities at Houston Hobby, Conroe North Houston Regional Airport, and The Woodlands Heliport will be key infrastructure for Lilium Jet operators in the Houston area.

Jeremy Gee, CEO of Galaxy FBO, said: “We are excited to transform Galaxy FBO into a cutting-edge hub for the eVTOL innovation. As the future of electric aviation takes flight, this marks a significant step in making Houston a leader in sustainable and efficient transportation solutions. Our team is proud to support Lilium’s revolutionary mode of travel that will connect Greater Houston in ways never thought possible.”

Houston-based EMCJET has secured production slots from Lilium as part of a broader partnership agreement and is poised to be involved in the first round of customer deliveries starting in 2026. Memo Montemayor, Founder & CEO of EMCJET, said, “Our clients want to own the future of aviation and, with our partnership with Lilium, they can do just that. With a spacious cabin, luxurious finishes, and vertical takeoff and landing capability, the Lilium Jet meets our clients’ needs to travel safely, sustainably, and comfortably.”

To showcase the transformative potential of the Lilium Jet and the broader electric aviation landscape, Galaxy FBO and Lilium collaborated with Greater Houston Partnership, the region’s largest chamber of commerce. The well-attended, invitation only event hosted at Galaxy FBO’s Houston William P. Hobby Airport hangars featuring the Lilium Jet featured industry leaders on expert panel, helped spark discussion with policymakers in attendance. Kevin Tipton, Senior Director for Aerospace & Aviation at the Greater Houston Partnership, expressed enthusiasm about this collaboration, stating, “Houston is home to the world’s leading aerospace companies, and we’re thrilled to welcome Lilium and this next generation of aviation technology. Together, we’re on the brink of something groundbreaking for our region.”

Greater Houston Partnership Expert Panel Discussing Future of Aviation in Houston.

Matthew Broffman, Lilium’s VP of Commercial, Americas said, “Lilium is serious about expanding in the U.S. and actively progressing towards FAA validation. As part of our commitment to working with communities across the U.S. and expanding our customer base, we’re excited to showcase our aircraft for the first time in Houston, a city with a proud legacy of aerospace innovation in America.”

Next month, the Lilium Jet will be displayed at the 2024 NBAA Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition (NBAA-BACE) in Las Vegas. Lilium is preparing for its first piloted flight of the Lilium Jet in early 2025. 

How do we know? Our Line Services Manager Chris Neufeld proved it!

Flying to DFW for this event? Choose Galaxy FBO at the Addison Airport. For a limited time, earn 2 points per gallon on purchases of Jet Fuel or 100LL when you pay with AVCARD® by @wfscorp or World Fuel Contract, plus receive our custom Golf Shoe Bag – please contact our Addison team for details. 

ENG Aviation and Taylor’s Gift Foundation is now collaborating to provide organ and tissue families with grief support after the tragic loss of their loved one.

Founded in 2010, Taylor’s Gift has a long-standing history of helping individuals and families walk the path of grief. Led by a donor family, professionals, and trained volunteers, their programs provide a safe environment for families and individuals to express feelings and emotions and the opportunity to walk with others who are experiencing a grief journey similar to their own. In 2021, they launched a grief support program to help organ donor families receive emotional support. For more information, visit www.TaylorsGift.org.

The two organizations marked the announcement with a ribbon-cutting event at Galaxy FBO’s Addison Airport hangars recently. Representatives from ENG Aviation and Taylor’s Gift spoke about the collaboration and the positive effect it will have on donor families.

With extended state-wide coverage, including an office and aircraft at Galaxy FBO Addison, ENG Aviation Group offers reliable, around-the-clock air transportation for organ transplants, ENG Aviation Group plays a pivotal role in increasing the acceptance rates of organs for their transplant customers. For more information, visit www.engaviation.com.

The US market will likely have a pilot shortage, over 30,000 regional pilots by 2030s. One factor creating the pilot shortage is the FAA-mandated retirement age. The only way to keep the airline’s flight line staffed is by hiring as many new pilots as those retiring. The issue is even more pressing because many pilots took early retirement during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. This reduced an already shrinking workforce greatly, and the aviation industry wound up bouncing back quicker than early estimates predicted it would. 

It’s now more common for airline pilots to come from a civilian path, paying their way through flight school and becoming commercial pilots. Most will work as a flight instructor while building enough flight time to be eligible for the ATP certificate. Mainline airlines nearly always recruit pilots from these smaller carriers, so the regionals are left scrambling to find new hires. Most pilots consider a position at a regional carrier to be a stepping stone toward a mainline airline, so they’re more than happy to move up if the opportunity presents itself. Retaining pilots is especially difficult for regionals, who must rely on a steady flow of pilots leaving flight school.

Thrust Flight is a proprietary educational institution offering a variety of aviation training courses. Its purpose is to train students to be safe, confident, and disciplined aviators – not just “pilots.” The Thrust career programs are targeted to prepare graduates to gain entry level positions as flight crew personnel and/or flight instructors through education and training that meets or exceeds guidelines as set forth by the Federal Aviation Administration and industry standards. Effective communication and professionalism are stressed in every course offered. Thrust Flight offers extensive education and training in the classroom, in approved flight simulation devices, and in modern aircraft. Instructors are highly qualified professionals fully credentialed by the FAA.

Thrust Flight use fully motion Redbird Simulators and brand new Piper Archers for its Addison and Conroe locations. Each aircraft features full glass cockpits, G-1000 avionics, and air conditioning.

What sets us apart from other flight schools mainly is the culture and atmosphere. Thrust is more of a family where everyone supports and encourages one another. These other pilot factory flight schools are just that, pilot factories that are quite impersonal. There you are just a number and not a member of the family. At Thrust, we spend a ton of time in group ground school settings. Training looks like this…2-3 hours of group ground schooling and 2-3 hours of flying 5-6 days per week. Some days it’s one or the other and some days it’s both. Actually most big box “pilot factory” flight schools send you home with books and materials and it’s mostly self-study so you are on your own. Many of these flight schools don’t seem to care if you pass or fail while Thrust takes an active interest in the success of our students. 

THRUSTFLIGHT.COM

Located just north of Dallas, Thrust’s Addison campus is its most popular location with the highest number of students training in an area known for having the most restaurants per capita in the U.S. Its newest Conroe location is the newest addition to Thrust Flight, perfect blend for those seeking versatility in their flight training experience, with a balance of urban amenities and the freedom of open skies for optimal flight practice. Thrust Flight utilizes Galaxy FBO facilities and services in both airports. For a list of all Addison and Conroe based flight schools, click here.

Thrust Flight School Hangar & Facilities at the Conroe North Houston Regional Airport

Jamie Munoz joined Galaxy FBO team back in 2021 to lead the development and opening of our new facility at the Addison Airport. She helped manage the 16-month long construction project, and successfully achieved full hangar and office occupancy upon its grand-opening. Her leadership played a key role in helping the airport exceeds Town of Addison’s goals by attracting new businesses and creating over 100 jobs, both within the operation and among its tenants.

2024 DBJ WOMEN IN BUSINESS HONOREES

Munoz is committed to business aviation, currently a co-chair for the National Business Aviation Association Young Professionals Council. Beyond her professional achievements, Munoz has contributed to her community as a court-appointed special advocate and as a motivational speaker in Texas juvenile detention facilities.

Galaxy FBO leadership team, along with our distinguished business partners, celebrated these remarkable women, including Jamie Munoz at a luncheon on August 29, 2024 at Thompson Dallas by Hyatt hotel.

You are cleared to Take Off! Choosing the right flight school is a crucial step in your journey to becoming a pilot.

Here are some steps to help you pick the right flight school:

  1. Decide what type of pilot you want to become (private, commercial, airline transport, etc.) and whether you want to pursue fixed-wing aircraft or helicopters. Different flight schools may specialize in different areas.
  2. Research flight schools in your area or in locations you’re willing to travel to. Use online resources, directories, and recommendations from other pilots to create a list of potential schools.
  3. Ensure that the flight school is accredited by the appropriate aviation authority in your country, such as the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in the United States. Accreditation is an important indicator of quality and safety standards.
  4. Visit the school! This will give you a chance to see the facilities, meet the instructors, and get a feel for the school’s culture and environment.
  5. Talk to current and former students: Speak with current and former students to gather insights into their experiences with the school. Ask about the quality of instruction, aircraft maintenance, and overall satisfaction.
  6. Ensure that the flight school has a well-maintained and up-to-date fleet of aircraft. The variety and condition of aircraft available can affect your training experience.
  7. Check Instructor qualifications: Instructors play a vital role in your training. Experienced and knowledgeable instructors can greatly impact your learning experience.
  8. Research the school’s safety record and accident history. A good safety record is a strong indicator of a well-managed flight school.
  9. Compare the cost of training at different schools. Consider not only the hourly rates for aircraft and instruction but also additional costs such as ground school, materials, and examination fees.
  10. Consider the school’s location in terms of accessibility, weather conditions, and the availability of other resources like accommodation and transportation. Texas airports are ideal for year-around flight training.

By following these steps and conducting thorough research, you can make an informed decision when selecting the right flight school for your aviation journey.

Houston Area Flight Schools at the Conroe North Houston Regional Airport

Dallas Area Flight Schools at Addison Airport

AOPA Pilot Information Center – Finding the Right Flight Instructor

Runway incursions remain a serious concern nationally. Conroe North Houston Regional Airport is conducting its annual Runway Safety Action Team (RSAT) meeting on May 9, 2024 at Galaxy FBO. (more…)

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Galaxy FBO Advantages at the Conroe North Houston Regional Airport (KCXO)

CAA promotes contract pricing for Part 91 general aviation, serving large corporate flight departments with fleets of aircraft, individual owner-operators and aircraft management companies. CAA members currently enjoy special pricing at the Galaxy FBO’s Conroe North Houston Regional Airport (KCXO).

Thank you for considering Galaxy as the Preferred Corporate Aircraft Association FBO at KADS and KHOU earlier this year. While we firmly believe Galaxy has received many qualifying votes for our extremely competitive bid, existing Preferred CAA FBOs at KHOU and KADS remain unchanged.

The 51st annual PRASE (Preferences Regarding Aviation Services and Equipment) Survey by the Professional Pilot Magazine just announced winners today, featuring Galaxy FBO as the winner on several categories. 

The Professional Pilot Magazine’s PRASE Survey is an annual tabulation of customer opinions of aviation ground services. Executives in charge of flight departments, aviation managers, chief pilots, CEOs, and other qualified subscribers to Professional Pilot magazine are polled once a year to determine the PRASE Winners’ List, which is published annually on the May issue. The 2024 PRASE Survey was conducted online between September 2023 until March 31st, 2024.

Pro Pilot subscribers scored a total of 1258 US FBO selections from 1 (poor) to 10 (excellent) in 6 categories; Line Team, Customer Service Representatives (CSRs), Facility, Amenities, Promptness & Efficiency, and Value for Price. This provided a total of 7496 individual evaluations to arrive at the 2024 US FBO rankings.

2024 PRASE SURVEY RESULTS

We would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who participated at this year’s annual Pro Pilot PRASE survey, naming Galaxy FBO the BEST in US.

Congratulations to our partners at World Fuel Services and Phillips 66 for being named ‘Best Fuel Brand’ and ‘Best Fuel Credit Card’.

For more information on Professional Pilot magazine, visit propilotmag.com