XL Aviation

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BAJUSA: What made you chose XL Aviation in Livermore as your flight school?

AZ: I started with one of the CFI’s who work here. A Russian friend recommended him. I started with another school but I didn’t really like it. It was also kind of expensive. Then I found a Facebook page for Russian pilots of the Bay area and I asked some questions. Someone introduced me to an instructor that works here at XL and he’s a very good instructor. I got my license with him.

Our first introductory lesson with him was in a Decathlon. I really like aerobatics and I always wanted to fly aerobatics. We went up in the Decathlon and I enjoyed riding with him. Then I did my training in a Cessna and got my license in about a year and then I quit instruments and started to fly aerobatics. I was working on my instrument rating but quit for a little while to do some aerobatics and I went to some competitions, one in Coalinga (central Calif.) and I placed second. And then I started my instrument training again. So now I’m doing both, instrument and aerobatics.

BAJUSA: That’s what is so great about this school. They do a lot of aerobatic training and they have access to those kinds of planes. Is aerobatics your favorite kind of flying?

AZ: Oh yes, this is my favorite kind of flying. My favorite planes are aerobatic planes. They are hard to fly and hard to land and it was hard for me to get checked out in it. The Decathlon is pretty easy to land but hard to fly aerobatics in the sky, with huge wings and little ailerons. You have to be pretty good to fly them well. Aerobatic flying is very sensitive.

BAJUSA: Does your instructor still work here at XL.

AZ: Yes, he still works here. He works here full-time and he’s very busy. I brought all my Russian friends here. They all fly with him. He also has the TSA “Permission to Initiate Training,” regulations papers. When you’re a foreign student, you have to get the TSA permission for flight training. If you’re an instructor you have to apply for this and he has the formal knowledge and ability to train foreign students. We actually have a lot of people from all over the world here at XL, Russian students, students from India and many places.

BAJUSA: Do you want to make aviation your fulltime occupation and career?

AZ: I always wanted to fly. It was my dream from my childhood. My great-grandpa was a World War II pilot. I want to get my commercial license and maybe in- struct here as a CFI. I never wanted to fly for the airlines but I enjoy recreational flying, especially aerobatics.

BAJUSA: You mentioned you were already in a competition last year. Tell me more about that.

AZ: Yes, I was in Coalinga last year and got second place and then I was in Tracy (Northern Calif.) this year and I moved up to Sportsman (category) and I placed ninth. I didn’t train well or as much as I wanted before this competition. I’m hoping to be training more and to get better results. I’m planning to go to Redlands for another competition. I hope to do better. We have a lot of planes here and they are on leaseback so we can train in those for the competitions.

BAJUSA: What advice would you give to aspiring pilots and people who want to learn how to fly?

AZ: I want to say don’t give up. It was very hard for me. When I started to fly, I didn’t have much time. I was working immigrant jobs, like babysitting, and I didn’t speak English very well. My English was very poor. When I first started, I didn’t understand a single word my instructor was saying to me. My instructor would say, “you’re not understanding anything, you can’t get a license.” But I did start to understand and I did learn and I got my license in a year… not too bad! And during that time, I had to take some breaks because of the fires in California. So don’t give up. You can do it!

BAJUSA: Why would you recommend XL, what sets it apart?

AZ: Its special. The atmosphere is different here. I was in other schools and they were about business, you get your papers and you go to the hangar. You never see a mechanic. But here, we’re all in one place. You see the owners and you see mechanics. The receptionist is here. There was a student who came here because he failed his oral exam. He was asked about engines and so he was frustrated because he never met a mechanic at his old school. He felt he needed to know more about engines. Here, I was standing right there with the mechanic and he was changing oil and so I just asked him about it. He could explain everything.

This atmosphere is like a community and a family. In a big flight school, pilots just don’t get to know each other. Everybody knows everybody here. John (Degennaro) is the Chief Pilot and he has flown in international aerobatic competitions. He always wanted to fly a Pitts and now he teaches aerobatics. Allen (Crabill) and Lynzie (Hudson) are great instructors. And Michael Becker is a CFI, CFII and MEI. He has given more than 7,000 hours of instruction. Mike (Henderson), the owner, is always helping people, along with the instructors and everyone. He believes in me and always supported me. He even gave me a block of hours to prepare for my first competition. He does that with many of us. He helps all people

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Fly Air Inc., BizAv Developers / Environmental Advocates

A Chat with CEO Stuart Bullard by Eli Stepp

BizAvJets USA Magazine personnel meet the most interesting people serving the business aviation industry. One such person is Stuart Bullard, CEO of Fly Air, Inc. When we met him at 2022 NBAA in Orlando, we immediately knew we wanted to interview him for our publication. Mr. Bullard agreed to meet with us to share his story, and his involvement in business aviation.

Bio

Stuart Bullard has quite an interesting background. Highlights include demonstrating his musical talents on Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood at a very young age. During his youth he mastered 13 musical instruments and is a classically trained violinist. His musical accomplishments include the creation of the “Pittsburgh Sound” defined as a smooth blend of classical music, hip-hop, and rhythm and blues. As a music executive he collaborated and/or produced multi-platinum albums with highly recognizable names such as Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg. He then chose to move on to the aviation industry becoming a jet-rated pilot, computer coder and by founding Fly Air, Inc. The firm created the “Fly Air” app in 2020 which allows individuals or groups to book charter flights with the option to pay with electronic wire, credit card, or with multiple cryptocurrency choices.

BizAvJets USA: Eli Stepp of BizAvJets USA Magazine here and we are very excited to be with Stuart Bullard of Fly Air, Inc. Thanks for being with us Stuart!

SB: My pleasure. Happy to be here.

BAJUSA: I’ve looked forward to this interview since meeting you and the “Fly Air Crew” at the 2022 NBAA in Orlando.

SB: This is exciting stuff. Thank you for contacting us for an interview. I appreciate our time at NBAA.

BAJUSA: Sounds great. Please tell us a little bit about yourself and your background.

SB: Absolutely. I am originally from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. My parents were mostly in government contracting. My father was an Air Force pilot and worked for the Department of Defense. My mother served in National Disaster FEMA type activities for the Veterans Administration. My brother served in the FBI. Then there is me, who was inclined to pursue my passions in music. I spent my younger years at an air force base. I was classically trained at the Pittsburgh Symphony Youth Program. I grew up in the music scene and then moved out to Los Angeles. I landed a record deal with Dr. Dre and signed a contract with him to produce records at Death Row and at Aftermath Entertainment. I did well for 25 years in the music industry, eventually having passive income with recording studios.

BAJUSA: Very impressive. What came next?

SB: I basically took a break from music and concentrated on becoming a type-rated pilot on multiple piston and jet aircraft. An old friend of mine said, to know the business of aviation, you should become a pilot. As a pilot you have the opportunity to touch so many points of business aviation to include servicing, maintenance,

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