Pentastar Aviation

Pentastar Aviation has been in operation for over 45 years providing corporate air travel services and managing fleets of corporate aircraft and helicopters. Pentastar Aviation was established in 1964 as Chrysler Air Transportation for the Chrysler Corporation based at Willow Run Airport in Ypsilanti, Michigan. Throughout the years Pentastar expanded their business to include a wide range of products and services, including aircraft management, maintenance and avionics services, air medical transport services, aircraft brokerage services and charter services. Pentastar is based at two U.S. locations, one at Oakland County
International Airport (KPTK) in Michigan and one at Van Nuys Airport (KVNY) in California.

Pentastar Aviation operates many different aircraft to meet a wide range of customer needs. Currently Pentastar Aviation operates the following:

• Beech 400A
• Citation Ultra, Bravo, XL,XLS, X, Sovereign,
• Hawker 400XP, 800/800XP
• Learjet 35, 45, 55/60
• F-50
• Challenger 600-400
• Falcon 2000
• Gulfstream G550, G450/400, G200, GIV, GIV, SP, GV
• Bombardier Global Express
• Beechcraft King Air
• SAAB 340

Pentastar has many flight options, service levels, and destinations, from as close as Chicago or Mackinac Island to Paris or Cabo.
All aircraft provided for charter are operated by Pentastar Aviation Charter, Inc., a U.S. FAR Part 135 on-demand air carrier, or by other U.S. FAR Part 135 certificated on-demand air carriers arranged by Pentastar Aviation, LLC.  Pentastar also operates under part 91, and 125 which is less restrictive than part 121.

At the time of writing this post Pentastar has a Pilot position flying a SAAB 340 in Chicago posted on their career page. Pilot's interested in this position must have the following

• ATP certificate with at least one jet type rating
• Minimum of 4,000 hours Total Flight Time
• Minimum of 100 hours in at least one of the following aircraft preferred:
• Gulfstream IV, V
• Falcon 2000
• Lear 45 or 60 series
• Challenger 601 or 604
• Sovereign CE-680
• Cessna Encore 560
• Bachelor's degree preferred
• International experience preferred
• Ability to manage a changing work schedule
• Applicants must be able to obtain and maintain FAA First Class Medical certification

A Pilot for Pentastar Aviation can expect to fly about 500 hours per year with extensive international travel and can expect to average about 100 overnights each year.

Pentastar Aviation has a long list of management solutions for businesses. These services include Aircraft Management, Charter Management, Flight Operations, Maintenance, and Medical Transport,  There are several positions posted that fall under management ranging from sales to maintenance. The skills required for a management sales position are:

• BA/BS in Business or a related field
• Demonstrated understanding of the aircraft management industry
• 4 or more years of experience in aircraft management & charter management sales
• Demonstrated success in building, maintaining & developing an established territory and client base in the jet aircraft management sector
• Outstanding written and verbal communication skills

Position responsibility overview,

"This candidate will expand Pentastar’s Aircraft Management Services business through proactive lead generation selling techniques by managing customer databases, contact lists and sales campaign processes to create business opportunities. This person will also participate in industry activities to professionally represent Pentastar to obtain market intelligence. The successful candidate will maintain & develop industry contacts, influencers and decision makers to enhance the Pentastar image and improve sales. He /she will have comprehensive knowledge of the service offerings available through Pentastar and how these service offerings can be exercised on behalf of the customer. He/she will ensure timely delivery of proposals and the effective use of senior executive’s in the sales process. He/she should possess excellent communication skills (both written and verbal), strong interpersonal skills, computer proficiency (Word, Excel, and others), a solid business aviation knowledge, persuasive negotiating skills, business acumen and patience. In addition to obtaining new management services customers, the AMS will also identify potential charter customers to be referred to Charter Services, and will expand general market awareness of Pentastar product offerings in his/her designated territory".

 

Pentastar employees can expect great benefits, competitive pay, and a team oriented work environment. A list of benefits include:

• Medical, Dental and Vision coverage
• Short and Long-term Disability
• Employee and Dependent Life Insurance
• Medical and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts
• 401(k) plan with employer match
• Paid holidays
• Paid time off

Pentastar employs approximately 200 people at the Oakland County International Airport location.

After speaking to a representative at Pentastar I learned that a lot of their revenue is generated through their maintenance department. After speaking to the operations department there was no way for him to give me a total number of aircraft owned by Pentastar only that what is posted on the web are available. this person was gracious with his time and information however he also said that he could not answer all the questions I had to ask. Also at least one EMU grad is currently employed at Pentastar. The optimistic outlook about Pentastar's future was good, stating that overall production has increased over the past 6 months, and that current production is greater compared to last year during this period. This news about Pentastar indicates strong growth possibility for future employment opportunities in all departments.