Michael McCauley

Experience

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  Universal Jet Aviation

  Jan 1993 - Jan 2014

  Founder and CEO

  As the President, Founder, Chief Pilot, and Part 135 Check Airman atUniversal Jet Aviation for twenty years, Michael overcame a series ofextreme challenges and financial setbacks—including 9/11, HurricaneWilma, and the 2008 economic recession—to build the largest Learjetfleet on the East Coast, and become the first U.S. operator to secure theLearjet 60, as well as the first operator to launch business operations inShanghai, China. With the introduction of the Internet and a new highlybrokered business environment, Michael conceived and executed a 24/7dispatch team to increase his competitiveness. In 2001, Michael wasrecognized as Small Business Leader of the Year by the Boca RatonChamber of Commerce, and Entrepreneur of the Year by Palm BeachCounty. In 2011, he was approached with an offer of $10M to acquireUniversal Jet—which he declined. At its peak, Michael expandedUniversal Jet Aviation to employ 100 people—almost half of whom werepilots, and generated more than $25M in annual revenues. Show less

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  Journey Aviation

  Jan 2014 - now

  President

  In 2014, Michael was a member of a group that started a new company andbusiness model—Journey Aviation. As a partner he works closely in the management of more than eighty professionals (half of whom are pilots), with fourteen aircraft on certificate, and operations inDubai, Boca Raton, Florida, and Van Nuys, California—with annualrevenues of ~$40M. Michael also represents the FAA as a Part 135 CheckAirman—evaluating and testing his pilots’ aircraft knowledge andcapabilities. He continues to buy and sell aircraft, and remains active inthe industry.Journey Aviation is a FAA Part 135 certified operator and charter sales company. Providing professional aircraft management to over 125MM in aviation assets. Specializing in full management of large cabin jet aircraft over a current fleet of 15 Gulfstream and Falcon aircraft. Show less

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  Blackbird

  Jan 2015 - now

  CEO

  As CEO of Blackbird Aero, Michael McCauley is involved in each aircraft transaction. He deploys his experience of having overseen hundreds of millions in aircraft sales to craft every stage of aircraft ownership transactions.Blackbird Aero is an aircraft dealer, acquisition, representation and lease structuring are the core of our business.Our firm provides professional services to current aircraft owners wanting to clearly understand today’s market for their specific aircraft, curious about how another model will operationally and financially comparatively serve your mission needs and also first time buyers ready to explore the private aircraft ownership experience.At Blackbird Aero, we pride ourselves on providing returning and future clients a predictable and market leading purchase, sale or lease experience. We offer an extraordinarily unique blend of professionalism built from our decades of personal aircraft ownership, operation and sales experience that is unmatched.Our winning formula is letting our passion for aviation earn and keep your business by providing industry leading professional support from beginning to end of transaction including aviation legal, ownership structure, charter revenue offset option and continued full management support after the sale. Show less