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

Blade Air Mobility’s stock surged 11 percent in early trading this morning&nbsp;after the Wall Street Journal reported that private-equity firm RedBird Capital Partners&nbsp;had taken a more than 5 percent stake in the company. RedBird&nbsp;founder&nbsp;Gerry Cardinale&nbsp;has&nbsp;been a personal investor in Blade since 2016.
Over the last 12 months, Blade shares have shed 32 percent of their value, but are up more than 21 percent year-to-date. Blade has a market capitalization of $300 million.&nbsp;
RedBird holds positions in media and professional sports teams, including the Boston Red Sox, and Blade founder and CEO Rob Wiesenthal&nbsp;said he believes combining <a href="https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/business-aviation/2022-08-24/eve-charts-evtol-simulation-chicago-blade" target="_blank">passenger air mobility </a>with Redbird’s entertainment/event portfolio presents a growth opportunity.&nbsp;
Nearly half of Blade’s revenues are now generated by organ transport via its MediMobility division. Those revenues grew by 801 percent to $20.2 million in the third quarter from the prior-year period due to organic growth of 174 percent and the acquisition of Trinity Air Medical. MediMobility is now the largest dedicated air transporter of human transplant organs in the U.S., serving&nbsp;67 transplant centers and organ procurement&nbsp;organizations.
However, Blade continues to lose money&nbsp;even as passenger and medical revenues increase. In the <a href="https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/business-aviation/2022-11-10/blades-revenues-losses-stabilize" target="_blank">third quarter</a>, Blade lost $9.2 million on revenues of $45.7 million.

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

Private-equity Firm RedBird Capital Partners Boosts Stake in Blade Air Mobility

Redbird Capital Partners has taken a 5 percent stake in Blade Air Mobility.

Private-equity Firm RedBird Boosts Blade Stake

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News and developments about airplanes, helicopters and unmanned air vehicles used in all varieties of operations, including airlines, military, business, commercial, general aviation and private.

News and issues relating to business, corporate and private aviation, primarily regarding turbine-engine-powered airplanes and helicopters. Subjects include aircraft, engines, maintenance, operations, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security, and training.

Europe-based group is adding a pair of Bombardier Global 8000 jets, plus a 6500

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News and issues about aviation maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO), covering all segments of the aviation industry; and modifications for aircraft and engines. Subjects include product support of aircraft, engines and avionics, MRO company mergers, acquisitions, announcements and personnel, Airworthiness Directives, Supplemental Type Certificate approvals and other topics.

Lack of rental engines is a focus of the complaint

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Program launches with HondaJet HA-420 and Bombardier Challenger 3500

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Elite Jets, MaxAir keep names, add Priester co-brand

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Paramount Business Jets Guide Details 2026 Charter Rates

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News about bills, laws, regulations and other governmental decisions affecting aviation and aerospace. Topics include FAA re-authorizations, taxes on fuel and aviation activities, environmental legislation, ICAO decisions, governmental mediation of labor conflicts and World Trade Organization disputes and decisions.

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