Meet Robbie: A Passionate Aviator, Making Dreams Soar


In the vibrant world of aviation, passion is often the driving force behind remarkable careers. Meet Robbie, a key member ofour aircraft sales team here at Lone Mountain Aircraft. With a childhood spent under the flight paths of Biggin Hill, Robbie’s journey into aviation was practically written in the clouds. Discover how his love for flying has shaped his professional path.

Childhood Dreams Take Flight 

Pilot in-flight with headset

Robbie’s roots in aviation run deep, rooted in the picturesque village of Biggin Hill, just south of London. From a young age, he was captivated by the roar of aircraft engines and the spectacle of air shows. Fueled by a relentless passion for flight, Robbie embarked on his aviation journey, soloing at 16 and obtaining his PPL at 21. But his love for the skies didn’t stop there – Robbie is also a certified skydiver, showcasing his adventurous spirit beyond the cockpit.

A Day in the Life of an Aviation Sales Pro

As a valued member of our European sales team, Robbie’s days are anything but typical. 

“There isn’t a typical day which is part of the reason I enjoy the role!” 

From aircraft photography to contract preparation, his role encompasses a dynamic range of tasks aimed at providing top-notch service to clients. With a dedication to being available whenever needed, Robbie ensures that every client inquiry or request is met with prompt attention and expert guidance.

Creating Unforgettable Adventures 

One of Robbie’s most memorable experiences was facilitating a seamless aircraft purchase for a client across continents. 

“I always enjoy when we can facilitate every stage of a transaction. Recently we helped a buyer from the US, purchase an aircraft in the UK by performing a “virtual walk around” with them on a video call, facilitating everything necessary for a PPI and then flying the aircraft over to them in the US.”

Through innovative solutions like virtual walkarounds and meticulous coordination, Robbie and our team ensured a smooth transaction that exemplified their commitment to customer satisfaction.

Pilot in-flight Fueling a Lifelong Passion for Flight

For Robbie, aviation isn’t just a career – it’s a lifelong passion. The ability of general aviation to empower individuals and facilitate incredible journeys is what drives him every day. His encounters within the general aviation community have left a lasting impression, showcasing the camaraderie and generosity that define this close-knit community. 

“I’ve loved aviation since I was old enough to know what it was. Being a part of such a rewarding sector of the industry is a dream. General aviation can enable so much for people and being able to help that sector grow is amazing.”

Appreciating the Diversity in Aircraft 

With a diverse array of aircraft under his belt, Robbie finds it impossible to pick a favorite. Each aircraft serves a unique purpose, from the versatile 22T to the iconic Spitfire. Robbie’s appreciation for the capabilities and versatility of different aircraft reflects his deep understanding of the industry. 

“There’s an aircraft for every mission. A 22T will take you almost anywhere on the planet with a few stops. A PC12 can take you from a grass strip to an international airport on the other side of Europe. A Husky can land in most people’s back gardens. Couldn’t pick one, love them all. (If I ever sell a Spitfire that takes the top spot, obviously).”

Nurturing Genuine Client Relationships

Robbie’s approach to building strong client relationships is simple yet effective: honesty, expertise, and a commitment to being a comprehensive resource for clients. 

Airplane pilot, Robbie with customer

“I think being upfront, honest and being product experts enables us to build rapport with our clients. We can help with every aspect of buying, selling and owning an aircraft and I think our clients appreciate the “one-stop-shop” approach of our services.”

By providing transparent guidance and leveraging our full suite of services, Robbie ensures that clients feel supported every step of the way.

When asked for advice for first-time aircraft buyers, Robbie’s response is succinct: “Work with Lone Mountain Aircraft!” 

Connect with Robbie

Looking to connect with Robbie? Whether it’s via email, phone, or social media, he’s always just a message away. And if you’re attending AERO Friedrichshafen, be sure to stop by and say hello. Robbieand our Lone Mountain Aircraft team will be there in hall A3-114, ready to discuss your aviation needs and showcase a selection of fantastic aircraft for sale.

Navigating Icing Conditions: Understanding, Preventing, and Safely Soaring through the Skies

As pilots, we understand the thrill and wonder of soaring through the skies. Yet, with this exhilaration comes the responsibility to navigate safely through various weather conditions. In this post, we’ll embark on a journey into one of the most critical topics in aviation during the winter months: icing conditions. From understanding the different types of icing to practical tips for safe flying, let’s delve into the world of aviation safety and preparation.

Understanding Icing Conditions

Icing conditions pose a significant risk to aircraft, particularly during specific seasons. But what exactly are icing conditions? In simple terms, they occur when supercooled water droplets freeze upon contact with an aircraft’s surfaces. This phenomenon can lead to reduced lift, increased weight and drag, and diminished thrust—factors that can compromise the safety of a flight.

Exploring Icing Types

There are several types of icing, each with its own characteristics and impacts on aircraft performance. Clear, rime, mixed, and frost are the main categories, with varying degrees of severity. Clear ice, for instance, forms when large droplets freeze rapidly, resulting in a smooth, transparent layer that can be particularly hazardous. Understanding these types is crucial for pilots to anticipate and mitigate potential risks.

Image of frost ice on an aircraft

Frost Ice

Image of clear ice on an aircraft

Clear Ice

Image of rime ice on an aircraft

Rime Ice

Image of mixed ice on an aircraft

Mixed Ice

Interpreting Intensity Levels

Icing intensity levels range from trace to severe, with each level presenting unique challenges. Pilots must be able to interpret these levels accurately and respond accordingly. While trace icing may be perceptible with no significant accumulation, severe icing can lead to rapid and dangerous ice buildup. By staying vigilant and proactive, pilots can make informed decisions to ensure the safety of their flight.

Practical Tips for Safe Flying

To navigate through icing conditions safely, pilots must be well-prepared and equipped with the right knowledge and tools. This includes checking weather reports, referencing Pilot Reports (PIREPs), and understanding the limitations of aircraft icing systems. Additionally, becoming familiar with Fixed Base Operator (FBO) de-icing capabilities and fluid types can provide added assurance and confidence during flight operations.

As pilots, safety is our top priority. Navigating through icing conditions requires knowledge, skill, and a proactive approach to ensure a safe and successful flight. By understanding the different types of icing, interpreting intensity levels, and implementing practical tips for safe flying, pilots can confidently soar through the skies while prioritizing the safety of themselves and their passengers. Let’s continue to prioritize safety and education, ensuring that every flight is a smooth and secure journey.

At Lone Mountain Aircraft, we have recently joined the Charter Safety Foundation’s Aviation Safety Action Program. Read more about what that means for our jet management team in their latest release.

 

 

Please help us extend a warm welcome to the newest member of Lone Mountain Aircraft, Mindy Lindheim.   Mindy joins the LMA sales team following a successful aircraft sales position at Textron Aviation.    

Mindy’s passion for aviation started in college when she decided to enroll at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and take a discovery flight. After she was hooked on flying, Mindy worked for Textron Aviation for six years selling factory new Cessna & Beechcraft piston aircraft and working as a factory demo pilot.

Mindy is a commercial, instrument, single and multi-land pilot who has been a Certified Flight Instructor since 2015 and has since earned her single-pilot type rating for the Citation 525 series.

Mindy cares about attention to detail and providing turbulence-free transactions. She values the customer experience and goes above and beyond to ensure clients’ success.

“Mindy’s extensive industry connections and expertise in Cessna and Beechcraft are complementary to our organization, and we are pleased to have her continue her success at Lone Mountain,” said Mark Rogers, Lone Mountain President. 

Based in Orlando, Florida, Mindy enjoys flying “Mojo,” her vintage 1957 Cessna 182 Skylane. Mindy & her husband Kevin love to take their plane on trips to go fishing, boating, exploring, and enjoying the outdoors in a new city. She loves to share her passion for aviation with others and help motivate new people to join the aviation community.

Welcome aboard, Mindy! 

Your experience with piston aircraft is increasing, and you want to go higher, further and faster. You’re wondering what it would be like to own an aircraft that serves you better. You’re tired of the fuel stops, load limitations, and stress about inclement weather. 

If those frustrations are in your mind, it could be time to make the transition to a turbine aircraft. 

This transition can be intimidating; turbines have larger passenger capacity, higher altitude capability, and increased training and insurance requirements before you can fly on your own. 

Lone Mountain Aircraft knows these factors can be daunting, and we don’t want indecision or a lack of resources to take away from the next phase in your flying endeavors. Transitioning to a turbine aircraft doesn’t have to mean studying the intricacies of purchasing and piloting a more capable aircraft. We’re here to break down your transition into manageable, clear steps. 

We have a long list of clients who have graduated from piston to turbine ownership. Whether you’re eyeing a turboprop or a light jet, that transition is a natural place for Lone Mountain Aircraft to step in and guide you through the process. Our team of experts brings market intelligence, technical expertise and practical piloting experience to ensure you’re avoiding blindspots and purchasing with confidence. 

We walk with you to identify the right aircraft for your mission, streamline the acquisition, and overcome challenges like training, insurance, financing and management. 

It’s common for an owner’s flight requirements to change. New family adventures are calling. Business expands into new regions. You deserve an aircraft that fits your mission. Whatever your situation, we’re here as your trusted partner in aircraft ownership. 

Lone Mountain Aircraft (LMA) is excited to announce that John Arnold joined the team earlier this year! 

John comes to LMA after spending 10 years with Cessna Aircraft (now Textron Aviation), where he held sales director responsibilities for the piston, Caravan, King Air and Citation 525 product lines and helped with Citation business development in Chicago. Before working at Cessna, John represented the SR20 product line for Cirrus Aircraft. 

Additionally, he holds a commercial rating for single-engine land/sea, multi-instrument, and single-pilot type rating for the Citation 525 series. John has flown 25+ aircraft, logging more than 2,500 hours. 

“John’s background and expertise in Cessna and Cirrus Aircraft is a massive asset to our clients. I am confident he will elevate the Lone Mountain team and we are thankful to have him represent us,” said Mark Rogers, Lone Mountain President. 

Growing up in an aviation community, John’s father owned aircraft for business and family travel and the father-son team helped many neighbors build and restore aircraft. As John grew older, and his interest in aviation continued to develop, he worked with his father to restore their own Cessna 172. John would later use this Cessna to earn his private and instrument ratings. 

Once he received his ratings, John began his aviation career at Cirrus Aircraft. In the position, he flew across North America, selling and supporting the SR20 relaunch. John stayed on with Cirrus until joining Cessna in 2011. 

When not flying or talking aircraft, John loves playing games with his wife, Jennifer, and their three daughters Ella, Abigail and Elizabeth. He also enjoys boating on Lake Geneva and tinkering in the garage. John and his family currently live in suburban Chicago. 

Are you interested in selling, trading, or buying? John has the passion and expertise to help you find the perfect aircraft. Get in touch with him at jarnold@lonemtn.com.

BY GORDON RAMSAY, AIRCRAFT SALES 

It’s no secret that buying or selling an aircraft is complex. Between negotiations, tax and title, compliance, type ratings, management and maintenance, it’s a tough road to walk alone. However, we get it – for some sellers, using a broker doesn’t feel like the wisest choice when it comes to cost savings. 

While I can make a solid argument that the majority of sellers save money by enlisting a quality broker to manage the process no matter the timing, I’d like to focus solely on the current market at hand. 

COVID-19 has dramatically shifted the market across the board. The same is true for private aviation. It’s not a difficult time to sell and to make quite a bit more than initially invested in the aircraft. Most sellers feel like they are “winning” when it comes to the transaction. 

So why enlist a broker? 

The market is more dynamic than ever, meaning sellers need a close eye on the day-to-day changes in private aviation. 

Just recently, I had a customer reach out who was considering going on their own. The customer shared his asking price and after the conversation, decided to partner with Lone Mountain to sell. Eventually, the customer was able to net more than they were going to ask. The broker fee became the least of this client’s concerns as it was easily offset by the increased proceeds from the sale. 

Lone Mountain provides our clients with confidence as they enter the selling process. We provide a thorough analysis of your current aircraft using accurate up-to-date market data, discuss current trends, and do a thorough cost-analysis, taking into account recent transactions of similar aircraft. After reviewing the data, you will choose your asking price and we’ll go to work prepping your aircraft for maximum resale value. 

Let us help you make the most out of your resale. Connect with our team today to receive a free valuation of your current aircraft, get your questions answered, and begin the selling process. 

Because, let’s face it, no one wants to leave money on the table. 

The Lone Mountain team is excited to welcome our newest sales team member, Chad Leeward! 

Chad began his professional aviation career in 2001 when he became a demonstration pilot and salesman for the Pilatus PC-12, however, his relationship with aircraft started much earlier. Chad was born into a family of aviation enthusiasts, with a grandfather who owned dealerships and an FBO in the 1940s. As a result, Chad has been passionate about aviation for all of his life.

By 2020, Chad has seen a well-rounded aviation career with a vast knowledge of piston and turbine aircraft across a wide range of product lines. Through his career as a sales director and demonstration pilot, Chad has worked with Pilatus, Cirrus, and Daher Aircraft (TBM) and has been responsible for selling over $275MM in business aircraft. However, on top of his extensive product knowledge, Chad’s personal achievements speak for themselves. Chad has flown over 5,000 hours of flight time in over 40 different aircraft models, he holds single and multi-engine rating, Instrument Flight Rating, and has even type-rated in the ECLIPSE 500 light jet aircraft. 

Chad is an Auburn University graduate currently based in Denver with his two young children. In his free time, Chad enjoys spending time with his kids, adventuring outdoors, fishing, hunting, and snow skiing.

We know that Chad will be a great addition to the LMA team, and he can’t wait to get started! When we asked him what his favorite part of his new role was, Chad quickly said that he “loves building long-term relationships with clients and assisting them with purchasing the aircraft that best fits their needs.” With Chad’s knowledge and experience, you can count on him to help you find your perfect aircraft.

Tom Ivers is the owner of three start-up tech companies, is happily married to his wife Monica, and is the father of three beautiful girls: Eleanor (10), Caroline (8), and Natalie (6). In 2016 his businesses were growing and Ivers began to find himself working away from home with increasing regularity. He was eager to find a way to gain time back with his family. 

As he began to look for a solution that would keep him active in the business world and present at home, Ivers remembered a childhood joy.

“As a kid, I always loved aircraft,” Ivers said. “My father and I built model planes together as a hobby, and I was drawn to movies that featured flight. I just never thought being a pilot was obtainable.”

However, as an adult faced with a traveling dilemma who found himself working just minutes from a flight training center, Ivers realized piloting was an option he could finally explore. 

That May, Ivers took an hour-long discovery flight at a Cincinnati airport, and he began to see a new and improved future for himself and his family. 

“After I took that initial flight, I saw the perfect opportunity to pursue something I’ve always loved and use it in a way to benefit my personal life,” explained Ivers. “The one thing you can’t pay for is time – but through aviation, I’ve been able to spend more time with my family. What’s more important than that?”

As a successful tech entrepreneur, Ivers knows the importance of detail and strategy. Once Ivers decided he wanted to become a pilot, he knew he only wanted to work with an extremely educated and competent trainer.

Ivers began researching different instructors and training centers. He ultimately landed on Ken Grause, a Platinum Cirrus Standardized Instructor Pilot with incredible knowledge and an exceptional record. 

“I was looking for the best of the best, and I found that in Ken,” Ivers said. “He is demanding and challenged me every time we met for a lesson. I never doubted that I was learning to fly safely and correctly with Ken.”

While training, Ivers knew pretty quickly that he wanted to purchase an aircraft rather than rent. Grause knew the perfect company to assist Ivers in this important milestone was Lone Mountain Aircraft (LMA).

“I was looking for a good starter plane that could introduce me to aviation without breaking the bank. Ken knew that Lone Mountain’s Mark Rogers had a plane that wasn’t even on the market yet. He introduced us, and it was as easy as that. My first aircraft was a 2007 G2 SR20. I flew the heck out of it while I was obtaining my private pilot certification and instrument rating. It was the perfect plane for me at that time.”

Shortly after obtaining his instrument rating, Ivers once again partnered with LMA to upgrade his G2 SR20 to a 2014 Cirrus SR22 through what he calls “a perfect and seamless transaction.” 

“When I decided I was ready for a new aircraft, there was no doubt about returning to LMA. I’ve had nothing but great experiences with them. Since I am only interested in Cirrus aircraft at this time, it’s a no-brainer.”

Last month, Ivers worked with LMA to secure another upgrade, trading in his SR22 to go in with two other partners on a 2018 Cirrus Vision Jet. Ivers said that LMA would continue to hold his business thanks to its smooth transactions, top-notch crew, and the multitude of services it offers.

“Another great thing about LMA is that they have a top-notch maintenance facility that compliments their sales expertise. I really cannot say enough about Ryan Yenger and his maintenance team. I have called him on nights and weekends. He always picks up his cell and gives me the information I need. My experience with every member of LMA has been excellent.”

Ivers said the primary reason for obtaining his private license was to make his business travel more efficient and flexible. However, Ivers added that his favorite thing about flying is exploring the country with his family. 

“There are so many reasons why people fly, but for me, it’s the ability to go places. My family and I have gone on so many awesome adventures because of aviation. As soon as I started flying, I realized how many possibilities were out there, and I’ve been dreaming about them ever since. In my experience, learning to fly is like watching the world expand.”

Our team of pilots at LMA enjoys helping clients find their ideal aircraft. Whether you are buying your first plane or looking to upgrade, we’d love to help you find the perfect fit for you. Contact us today if you are interested in learning more.

When the ball dropped on New Years, no one expected the reality that is 2020. As the first wave of COVID-19 inched its way closer to the U.S., it quickly became apparent that life was about to change as we know it. COVID-19 has left its mark on nearly every aspect of American life and business – the private aviation sector is no exception. While many industries are enduring slower times, private aviation is experiencing the opposite. At the time of this article, Lone Mountain is observing a year-over-year increase in activity of 30 percent.

“The reasoning is simple,” said LMA President Mark Rogers. “Many of our clients tell us that there is no way their family is getting on a commercial flight with the threat of the pandemic.” 

According to Rogers, those on the fence about owning and flying their own aircraft before COVID-19 are now confident in moving forward. It’s not just a desire anymore – it’s a logical next move to protect their families and colleagues. 

“Not only does it make sense from a health standpoint, but also a logistical one,” said Spencer Bain. “Commercial flights are cumbersome to deal with right now at best. Flights are constantly canceled and rescheduled. It’s not a practical solution for business travel.”

According to Rogers, Lone Mountain’s emphasis on technologically advanced, pre-owned aircraft is attracting many new clients looking for anything from a piston to a light jet. On the other hand, large-cabin business jets are seeing the opposite effect as flight departments look for ways to shed costs and justify the expense with their board. 

“We’ve helped many entrepreneurs acquire an aircraft who weren’t even considering private aviation pre-COVID,” said Lone Mountain Sales Representative Paul Sallach.  “A few have made an offer on a Monday and taken delivery as early as that Friday. We understand their business can’t stop just because their flight solution is no longer viable, and we are working hard to make quick closings possible.”

The quick influx of those new to the industry means fewer owner-operators and more backseat owners choosing a pro-flown operation. Clients seeking a safe transportation mode are intrigued by The Cirrus Airframe Parachute System (CAPS). So far, in 2020, LMA has been able to assist 15 clients with their purchase of a Vision Jet, and that number is expected to climb.

That’s not to say that everyone entering the general aviation world due to the pandemic is hiring a pilot. Flight training operations are also seeing an uptick in activity, with many of our clients in the business reporting record activity. One flight training facility we spoke to provided over 1,000 hours of dual instruction in July alone.  

If anyone needed an excuse to fly their own aircraft, 2020 is that excuse. It will be a record year for many private aviation companies, and shows promise for hundreds of pilots entering the industry. 

If you are considering your next step in private aviation, Lone Mountain would love to be a part of your journey. Visit LoneMountainAircraft.com to connect with our team. Until then, stay safe.