“Enjoy what you’re doing and it’s not a job.”
–Mike Lyon, CEO, Lyon Aviation
Lynn and Shirley Lyon founded Lyon Aviation, the operator of Pittsfield airport, in 1980. Some 42 years later, and well into its third generation, Lyon has grown from primarily a flight school with a single twin-engine piston plane for local charter flights into one of the East Coast’s premier jet charter services. All the while, Lynn and Shirley’s son, CEO Mike Lyon—along with his brother and sister and niece and nephews—have had a blast growing and operating the business.
An airport fixed-base operator (FBO) is an aviation business that is granted the right to operate an airport by the municipality. It provides general aviation support services such as fueling, maintenance, and aircraft parking. Often an FBO will operate a flight school and rent light aircraft to students and licensed pilots. Along with its charter services, as the Pittsfield airport’s FBO, Lyon Aviation’s flight school continues to mint new pilots and allow experienced pilots to keep current, and to achieve additional, ratings.
Lyon Aviation employs around 65 people—referred to as “the team”—around a third of whom are pilots, with the balance divided among mechanics, linemen, aircraft support, and administration. Aircraft maintenance services, an important and growing part of the business, has greatly expanded over the past 10 years. “No job is too big for us; we’re capable of doing inspections on big jets and are licensed to do maintenance and the sales of avionics,” Lyon says. “We’re able to provide all complementary aircraft services under one roof.”
Mike Lyon’s first solo flight was in a small Cessna on his 16th birthday, prior to attaining his driving license. “Back in high school I’d say to my friends, ‘Let’s go flying; I’ll fly the plane, one of you needs to drive us to the airport.’” During the 1980s, after school and on weekends and during vacations, Mike would work at the airport refueling planes, doing janitorial work, helping in the shop, and working the radio. Mike did whatever a 16-year-old could do to earn a few dollars. “When it came to choosing a career, flying wasn’t at the top of my list,” Lyons says. “But I knew that I needed to get involved with something at some point, so I naturally migrated to flying. I was driven to make a success out of whatever I was doing.” After attaining his flight instructor certificate at age 21, Mike taught flying for the next few years, and still maintains his instructor’s license.
It was in 1995 that Lyon Aviation bought its first charter jet, a Lear 25, secured as part of a charter contract with General Electric Plastics. During the latter half of the decade, the charter business became the growth engine and when they required a larger jet, they purchased a Hawker 800. Today they fly seven jets, five of which are company owned—a major differentiator in an industry built on leasing privately owned planes, which requires owner approval for usage.
Lyon Aviation is truly a family business. Mike’s sister, Christine, has been the company’s Chief Financial Officer since 1990, and oversees budgeting and the capital structure, including the expansion of the fleet—a very important role when your inventory is jets. Their brother Marc, who also grew up in the business and has logged over 10,000 hours of flight time, loves to fly and is the Senior Captain. He is also responsible for the chartering of their heavy jets. The third generation, comprised of Christine’s children Joshua, Jayde and Jacob, have significant roles at Lyon Aviation as well. Mike has four children: a 23-year-old daughter (who has taken a few flying lessons) and three teenagers. When asked if aviation is in their future, he responded: “Working with family is great, but I’d like to see my kids gain experience by working outside the business for a few years. If the aviation business is right for them, I’d be happy to have that discussion.” Unlike many multi-generational businesses, Lyon Aviation holds to Lynn and Shirley’s work ethic: “We were never given anything; we had to earn it.”
For Mike, almost all discussion of the business relates to the quality and stability of the Lyon team. “Customers work with us because of our deep commitment to safety and service. People like working with the same folks. They expect to be treated fairly and with integrity, and we always deliver. Many of our clients have been with us for decades and have enjoyed watching us grow. One of our strengths is that we don’t have a professional sales team; our customers deal directly with the family, and they have our cell numbers.” What’s more, customers recognize they are working with a highly committed team, with a shared energy for customer-centric service. “We don’t have a nine-to-five mentality and will do whatever needs to be done to keep our customers happy. I’m still not afraid to pump gas.”
This high level of commitment was evident during the onset of the COVID pandemic. “Initially, during the first two months, business accelerated. To avoid large groups in terminals and when flying, we received calls from customers who needed a safe way to head to vacation homes or to return home, and we moved heaven and earth to accommodate them,” Mike reports.
Subsequently, all travel turned quiet. During this period, “government programs were a huge benefit; we were able to keep a lot of staff on. Then things started to move again.” In sharp contrast, “the past six-months have been fabulous. As we’ve seen a resurgence in travel, revenues are up 40 percent, and we were able to purchase another Falcon jet.” However, a major pre-pandemic challenge remains. “Across the industry, there is more demand for qualified, experienced pilots than available supply.” And that challenge is only exacerbated by the pandemic. “If one of your pilots becomes infected, it shuts down the other pilot and you’re down a crew.”
Mike’s business philosophy is that of deliberate and measured growth. “It’s a complicated business in a highly regulated environment. We like to be slow and steady. I liken it to pushing the snowball up the hill, growing the snowball with our team members behind us. Because when we get to the top of the hill, that snowball is going to grow and when it starts rolling down, you’re going to get run over.”
When asked what aspect of the near-term future most excites him, Mike cites an expansion of their core services. “Besides chartering, I’m excited about the growth in maintenance, and the new hangers we’ll be putting up.” He also intends to add an additional jet to the fleet annually for the next five years. His biggest concern is the aforementioned shortage of qualified pilots. “If we can find qualified crews, the business will be there.”
Mike and his family are thoroughly enjoying building and operating Lyon Aviation, the business his parents started; they have come a long way from an FBO that principally offered a flight training and a friendly place to gas up your Cessna or Piper cub. The Lyon siblings also have plenty of time to consider their businesses succession plan, and when that time arises, the next generation will already in the business. Until then, Mike, who still enjoys recreational flying, is hoping for CAVU—aeronautical speak for Ceiling and Visibility Unlimited.
