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

Atlanta-based Volato is floating a $25 million convertible debt to equity offering that the fractional operator is expected to use in part to finance the acquisition of 25 HondaJet Elite II twinjets. Those aircraft, with a retail value of $174 million, were ordered late last year and will join Volato’s existing fleet of 17 HondaJets, making Volato the largest operator of the type.&nbsp;According to a recent Form D filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, the company already has raised $9 million of the amount, which it is offering in minimum amounts of $250,000.&nbsp;
Founded in September 2021 with a single HondaJet Elite S, Volato has moved quickly to establish bases in&nbsp;Atlanta;&nbsp;Baltimore;&nbsp;St. Augustine&nbsp;and Fort Lauderdale, Florida;&nbsp;and Carlsbad,&nbsp;California. Volato also has a base at&nbsp;Houston&nbsp;Hobby Airport that&nbsp;is part of its recent acquisition of Gulf Coast Aviation and offers access to additional aircraft, including King Air 350s and Hawker 750s.&nbsp;&nbsp;
Volato’s business model includes a pay-by-the-hour charter program, which rebates a portion of charter fees to aircraft shareholders, provides them with immediate access to aircraft, offers a jet-card program, and pays cash commissions for charter brokers.

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

Volato Floats $25 Million Debt Offering

Fractional provider Volato is raising $25 million to finance more HondaJets.

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

Charles Alcock

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

Middle East and Africa Fuel Comlux’s Charter Growth

Matt Thurber

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

ATI Jet Lawsuit Alleges Hourly Service Plan Setbacks

The Hong Kong-based operator now has almost 50 business aircraft

China’s Sino Jet Expands Charter Fleet with Second G700

Jessica Reed

Program launches with HondaJet HA-420 and Bombardier Challenger 3500

Honda Aircraft Unit Backs Thrive Fractional Jet Program

Amy Wilder

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

Priester Aviation Unifies Companies under One Brand

Program lets non-members compare pricing before booking

BlueSky Extends Pricing Access to Non-members

Hourly rates range from turboprops to VIP airliners

Paramount Business Jets Guide Details 2026 Charter Rates

Kerry Lynch

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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