VisionAire Jets' Strategic Advsiors
In addition to the Company's strong senior management team, a number of other well-known industry leaders have contributed to the Vantage project, making substantial contributions to VisionAire Jets, including, but not limited to, the following:
Jim Taylor
Management and Marketing Advisor Emeritus
James Taylor had over 50 years of experience marketing business aircraft, including Vice President and General Manager at Pan Am Business Jet and later at Cessna, President and CEO of Canadair America and later at Gates-Learjet. He introduced three very successful business jet aircraft (Falcon 20, Cessna Citation, Canadair Challenger), set global sales records, introduced direct marketing, sales, and service to Business Aviation, and led the $ 250 million turnaround of Gates-Learjet as CEO.
Mr. Taylor served for eleven years as an advisor to the development of the VisionAire Vantage single engine business jet and the single engine business jet concept. Known in the industry as "Mr. Biz Jet", Mr. Taylor had an unwavering commitment to the concept that it is time for the single engine business jet to enter the market, providing jet transportation to many companies that could not otherwise afford business jets. Mr. Taylor died before seeing the first Vantage aircraft delivered - an aircraft he named in the early years of VisionAire Corporation.
Burt Rutan
Design Advisor, Prototype Construction and Initial Flight Testing
Mr. Burt Rutan, the world-renowned leader in composite aircraft design, was named 1994's Top International Aviation Designer by Design News. Recently inducted into the Aviation Hall of Fame, Mr. Rutan's innovative design achievements include the Voyager, flying surfaces for Orbital Science Corp., and the Pegasus Space Launch Vehicle. His company is currently building composite aircraft to go into space for Sir Richard Branson of the Virgin Group (Virgin Airlines - Virgin Records - etc.).
Irving L. "Irv" Burrows, Jr.
Flight Test
Mr. Irving L. Burrows' background covers 40 years experience in flight testing with the United States Air Force and McDonnell Douglas. He has held a number of major positions within the aerospace industry including Director of Flight Operations and Chief Test Pilot, F-18 Program Manager, Vice President and General Manager of the F-15 program, as well as, Executive Vice President of McDonnell Aircraft Company. In addition to exercising those responsibilities, Mr. Burrows received the James H. Doolittle Award from the Society of Experimental Test Pilots, awarded for the demonstration of excellence in technical management. His broad range of expertise in general and technical management of major aerospace programs guided VisionAire Jets toward the development of its detailed test flight program, toward FAA certification, and toward becoming a mature manufacturer of quality aircraft.
Robert E. "Bob" Breiling
Risk Management and Related Research Advisor
Mr. Robert E. Breiling is a leading authority on aviation safety and the publisher of a comprehensive analysis of all business jet and turboprop aircraft accidents since 1964. For 17 years he served as Vice President of Engineering, as well as, Chief Pilot for a major aviation insurance company, responsible for evaluating business and airline operations. Bob is a pilot with a degree in engineering and has conducted extensive research for VisionAire, showing that the Vantage's previous engine (Pratt & Whitney Canada JT15D-5D) was more dependable than a pair of piston engines or even two turboprops.
He will be asked to do a similar study on the Williams International FJ44 line of jet engines.
Benn Isaacman
Interior Design Advisor Emeritus
Mr. Benn Isaacman is a noted designer of aircraft interiors. His designs include the production interiors for the Piper Malibu, Beech Starship, Piaggio Avanti, TBM 700, LearJet and Pilatus PC-12. His design for the interior of the VisionAire Vantage was presented at the 1995 NBAA (National Business Aviation Association) convention to wide acclaim. The design addresses FAA Part 23 certification criteria and closely represents the final production aircraft.
