The Air T SkyShow: Ten Companies, Three Days, One Epic Tour
When Phil Seymour joined Air T as a Strategic Advisor in February, his first request was ambitious: introduce him to colleagues at all 16 Air T portfolio companies—preferably in person. Phil is based in the UK, our companies span the globe, but the logic was sound. As Air T's front line for EMEA business development, Phil needs deep knowledge of Air T’s portfolio to help source effectively.
After six months, we have brought that number to 12 Air T companies visited by Phil, so far!
Earlier this month, CEO Nick Swenson, VP of Capital Partnerships Adam Sonnenfeld, Phil, and I boarded a plane at Flying Cloud airport for an intensive three-day, ten-company tour. We were joined by a group of senior investment professionals from prestigious global asset management firms, eager to understand Air T while getting hands-on exposure to aviation's inner workings.
Our journey began at Stratus Aero Partners in Minneapolis, home to Worthington Aviation, AIRCO, and Landing Gear Support Services. From there we flew to Madison, to meet Joe Kuhn and Miriam Cohen-Kuhn's team at Contrail Aviation Support, then on to Denver, for dinner with Crestone Air Partners' Kevin Milligan, Richard Schacht, and Vern Titcomb to finish off the first day.
Day two brought presentations at Crestone's Cherry Creek office before we headed to the Arizona desert and Jet Yard Solutions in Marana, AZ. Pat Connell led us through the sprawling aircraft boneyard at Pinal Airpark, where we couldn't resist posing in the landing gear of a massive 747-8 awaiting part-out.
Our final stop was Worldwide Aircraft Services in Springfield, Missouri, where Director of MRO Services Brad Selle showcased hangar operations. Multiple ATR aircraft were receiving heavy checks while an EMB-120 underwent a complete Garmin avionics installation.
By the time we touched down in Minneapolis on day three, we had forged new relationships among our group and gained rare insight into aviation's operational realities from midlife aircraft leasing to teardown economics. Each facility told a story of specialization and expertise, from landing gear refurbishment to complete aircraft transformation. These activities are essential to an industry that keeps the world moving.
Given the Air T businesses that we didn’t have time to see, and our active pipeline of opportunities, it may not be long before we start planning our next trip.
Related Projects
When Phil Seymour joined Air T as a Strategic Advisor in February, his first request was ambitious: introduce him to colleagues at all 16 Air T portfolio companies—preferably in person. Phil is based in the UK, our companies span the globe, but the logic was sound. As Air T's front line for EMEA business development, Phil needs deep knowledge of Air T’s portfolio to help source effectively.
The current “new” engine variants that have been delivered on the latest versions of the 737 and A320 have been the subject of intense shop visit activity that is likely to continue for another 24 months or so. The big issue is whether these engines will ever get to where the industry hoped they would get to in terms of time on wing.
There is much talk about “supply chain” issues. Below we look in more detail about what has caused them and how the future landscape appears.
Minneapolis, MN, February 4, 2024 — Air T, Inc. (NASDAQ: AIRT) today announced the appointment of Phil Seymour as Strategic Advisor. Phil remains a Director and Shareholder at IBA Group, where he has spent nearly 28 years building a successful and dedicated team. In his new advisory role at Air T, he will support the company’s growth and business development strategy. Phil will be based in London.
Air T, Inc. (NASDAQ: AIRT) is pleased to announce the launch of a new business, Runway Aero Advisors LLC (“Runway”). Runway will advise companies as they raise debt and equity capital. Runway will be led by Steve Welo, who joined Air T in September 2024. Steve will continue to help Air T raise capital for its existing businesses, including Crestone Air Partners.