In this cutting-edge episode of Open Skies, Chris Glass is joined by William Cecil from FLYHT Aerospace and Max Le Leannec from Transatel for a deep dive into the evolving world of aviation connectivity. Together, they break down how legacy communication systems like ACARS are reaching their limits—and how private 5G networks, edge computing, and IoT-driven infrastructure are set to transform everything from engine data offload to predictive maintenance and real-time baggage handling.

The conversation covers why aviation has lagged behind industries like automotive in connectivity, and how global telecom innovation is now catching up to aircraft, gates, and terminals. From 5G private network deployments at airports like Charles de Gaulle and Hong Kong, to redundancy strategies for mission-critical systems, this episode explores how to future-proof the entire aviation data ecosystem. If you’ve ever wondered what it takes to truly connect an aircraft—and an airport—this is your boarding pass to the future.

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In this episode of OpenSkies, host Chris Glass speaks with Joel Thomas, founder of Stratos Jet Charters, and Darren Engle, the company’s Chief Growth Officer, about transforming the fragmented world of private aviation. What started as a one-man brokerage has evolved into a franchise model that empowers others to own and grow their own jet charter agencies—with the full power of Stratos’ infrastructure, safety systems, and flight operations at their back.

Joel and Darren unpack the challenges of scaling a jet charter business, from booking flights and vetting air carriers to managing working capital and building client trust. They also share how departmentalizing operations, building proprietary tech, and staying true to strong values have allowed Stratos to deliver a consistently premium experience. Whether you're an aviation entrepreneur, private flyer, or someone who loves stories of purposeful business-building, this episode offers a candid and inspiring look at what's possible when you rethink how private aviation can work—for everyone.

• Connect with Stratos Jets: https://www.stratosjets.com/
• Learn more about the Statos Jets franchise or inquire to become a franchised agency owner: https://www.stratosjets.com/franchise/
• Connect with Joel: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aircharter/
• Connect with Darren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/darren-t-engle-571a546/
• Follow Stratos Jets on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/stratos-jets

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In this episode of OpenSkies, we sit down with John Werner, founder and CEO of Pilot John International, to explore how a Midwest farm kid with a love of aviation and tech built one of the fastest-growing e-commerce companies in the ground support equipment industry. John shares his unique path from flying Dash 8 (DHC-8) as a commercial pilot to scaling a niche aviation business from a blog with a few parts listings to a 50-person operation that ships 80% of orders the same day.

We talk about the company’s evolution, John’s focus on customer-centric technology, and how Pilot John is helping to drag aviation logistics out of the spreadsheet era. He walks us through how they blend personal service with modern platforms, why keeping everything in-house matters, and how the team is building for global scale. If you’re curious about entrepreneurship, e-commerce in aviation, or the power of combining passion and process, this episode is a must-listen.

• Connect with Pilot John: https://pilotjohn.com/
• Shop by aircraft here: https://pilotjohn.com/aircraft
• Connect with John: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pilotjohn/
• Follow Pilot John on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/pilotjohninternational/

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