Beyond the Runway: Reflections on 2025 & What’s Ahead – A Conversation with Brad Bruce

As Pentastar Aviation closes the chapter on 2025, the year stands out not simply for its growth, but for the way the organization continued to mature — strengthening its culture, advancing its capabilities, and refining the experience it delivers to clients worldwide.

Brad Bruce, President & CEO

We sat down with Brad Bruce, President and CEO of Pentastar Aviation, to reflect on the year’s defining moments, the lessons that reinforced the company’s direction, and what he’s watching closely as Pentastar looks ahead to 2026.

Q: When you reflect on 2025, what accomplishments stand out most, and why?

Bruce: One milestone that truly stands apart is being named the No. 1 FBO in the Americas by Aviation International News for the fifth consecutive year — an achievement no other company has accomplished. That recognition carries real weight because it comes directly from the pilots, crews, and operators who experience our operation every day.

AIN readers evaluated hundreds of FBOs across five critical categories — line service, passenger amenities, pilot amenities, facilities, and customer service representatives — and Pentastar earned an overall score of 4.83, improving on our 2024 performance. We were also the only facility ranked in the top 10 across all five categories for the third consecutive year.

To me, that reinforces the importance of consistency. Great facilities matter, but what truly differentiates an operation is the day-in, day-out commitment of its people. This award is a direct reflection of our team and the culture we’ve built together that prioritizes service, accountability, and pride in excellence.

Q: Beyond the FBO, what developments defined the year for Pentastar?

Bruce: From an operational standpoint, 2025 was about strengthening the foundation of how we serve our clients. One example is the full adoption of MY BIRD, powered by Portside, across our managed fleet, which significantly improved visibility, communication, and coordination for both owners and flight crews. These enhancements often happen behind the scenes, but they have a meaningful impact on reliability and consistency: two things our clients value deeply.

Another major milestone was our partnership with Gogo to bring Galileo HDX connectivity to market. Built on Low Earth Orbit satellite technology, Galileo HDX represents a step change in inflight connectivity. Passengers don’t think in terms of systems or speeds anymore; they simply expect their connection to work, everywhere.

What makes Galileo HDX particularly compelling is its compatibility with existing Gogo equipment on legacy aircraft such as the Gulfstream GIV, G450, GV, and G550. Our team spent months supporting FAA certification and regulatory approvals, and that effort positions Pentastar to meet growing aftermarket demand in a very tangible way. It’s an accomplishment we’re extremely proud of.

Q: How did client expectations evolve over the course of 2025?

Bruce: Demand for charter and aircraft management remains strong, but what we continue to hear from clients is a desire for stability, particularly when it comes to people. Pilots, mechanics, and flight attendants remain in high demand across the industry, and turnover can be disruptive for owners.

We’ve been very intentional about addressing this need head-on. Competitive compensation is important, but it’s only part of the equation. We’ve made significant investments in healthcare options, benefits, training, and, just as importantly, culture. When employees feel supported and valued, our clients benefit from continuity, experience, and trust. That connection is direct, and we take it seriously.

Q: Safety was a major conversation across aviation in 2025. How does Pentastar view it today?

Bruce: This year reinforced the fact that technology alone can’t guarantee safety. While aircraft systems continue to advance rapidly, safety ultimately depends on people — their training, their judgment, and the culture in which they operate.

We remain committed to our safety management system and to continuously strengthening our safety culture. Our crews operate in diverse environments around the world, and it’s essential they have the resources and training to enhance awareness and preparedness. By integrating Aviation Secure’s industry-leading training into our program, we’re taking a proactive approach to protecting our people, our clients, and our assets. This training is not just about compliance, it’s about fostering a culture of confidence and professionalism that reflects the level of service our customers expect.

One of the things I’m most proud of is feedback from our own employees. In internal surveys, one of the highest-rated responses was that people feel safe where they work. That speaks to the strength of our safety management system and the culture we’ve built and that is not just around flight safety, but also maintenance practices, ground operations, and environmental health and safety.

Bruce: I’m very bullish as we move into 2026. We’re seeing new customers enter the market, while long-standing clients are looking for innovative solutions and higher levels of service. We’re well positioned to meet both.

Connectivity will remain a major area of focus, and we expect strong demand for installations like Galileo HDX. On the FBO side, the challenge, and the opportunity, is maintaining our high standards while continuing to be creative as demand increases. Across the organization, our goal is simple: stay ahead of client needs and deliver solutions with confidence.

We’ve invested heavily in our people, our systems, and our culture, and that investment puts us in an excellent position to serve both existing and new clients. 2025 was a year of meaningful growth, and we’re entering 2026 with momentum, clarity, and optimism.