In Q4 of 2022 and Q1 of 2023, Wheeling, Illinois-headquartered aircraft management and private charter provider Priester Aviation added five business jets to its growing fleet of managed aircraft. The aircraft are based throughout the US. Since its acquisition of Mayo Aviation in late 2022, Priester is offering a full range of services to clients nationally, with larger bases of operation in its Chicagoland home and the Rocky Mountain region.

Priester will support the new aircraft for Part 91 owner use, facilitating administration, financial services, crewing and dispatch, and maintenance coordination for seamless flight operations. Some of the aircraft will also be entered into Priester's Part 135 charter services, which allow owners to lower operating expenses and generate revenue during times when the aircraft would otherwise sit idle.

The fleet additions consist of a Nextant 400XT, Cessna Citation XLS, an Embraer Phenom 300 and an Embraer Praetor 500, all based at Chicago Executive airport, as well as a Bombardier Challenger 300 based at Dallas Love Field.

“Aircraft owners are discovering the advantages of Priester Aviation and how we are able to help them achieve their aviation goals,” says president Rich Ropp. “They receive the full support and capabilities of the biggest national operations, but they also receive the individual attention of a personal flight department. When there’s a question about the aircraft, they can talk to one person directly without getting lost in a massive, impersonal company.”

Priester Aviation now manages nearly 80 aircraft between two companies. Andy Priester recently took the helm as its third generation of family leadership since its founding in 1945.