Rickey Scarbrough

Halloween is a great time for surprises. A corporate flight operation isn’t. The FAA reminds us that unexpected events can trigger a startle response—and that training and preparation can help improve how we respond. For corporate flight departments, that’s a timely reminder to look beyond the obvious: What risks have become too familiar? Which assumptions need another look? Are we making it easy for team members to speak up? Leave the scares to Halloween. Make preparation, communication and continuous learning part of the everyday culture. 🔘 Gray Stone Advisors is a business aviation consulting firm available to work with you one-on-one. +1 (865) 357-5077 🔘 #BusinessAviation #AviationSafety #CorporateAviation #Halloween

Change can often feel scary and uncomfortable, leading to resistance, which is natural for business professionals. However, when an organizational culture is conflicted and the team is disjointed, it is time for “Survival Change”. This isn't modest, comfortable change or minor course corrections. Survival Change is an abrupt intercession—executed at the right time—designed to effect transformational change. When organizations are failing, ignoring warning signs can be perilous. If you hear sentiments like, "If we don’t do something soon, we won’t exist," then people are frightened and cannot think clearly. To successfully orchestrate this sweeping, all-consuming transformation, you must apply the 10 distinct “Survival Change Keys” in unison, as a complete set. Perseverance, persistence, and patience (the three "Ps") are needed in huge quantities, as it always takes longer than imagined. We will explore each key in depth in this series, starting with Key 1, "Hello!". graystoneadvisors.com/blog/s… 🔘 Gray Stone Advisors is a business aviation consulting firm available to work with you one-on-one. +1 (865) 357-5077 🔘 #SurvivalChange #OrganizationalCulture #TransformationalChange #Leadership #BusinessStrategy

In business aviation, safety must be more than a stated priority—it must shape everyday decisions, from the maintenance hangar to the flight deck to the executive office. Credit to Bombardier for sustaining that commitment through its Safety Standdown, celebrating 30 years this November 10–12 in Wichita, with online participation available. Bringing aviation professionals together to learn and exchange knowledge is an investment that benefits the entire industry. For corporate flight departments, the opportunity goes beyond attending an event: Bring the lessons home, encourage candid conversations about risk, and turn new insights into stronger operating practices. Safety leadership means making time to learn—and acting on what we learn. safetystanddown.com/en/semin… 🔘 Gray Stone Advisors is a business aviation consulting firm available to work with you one-on-one. +1 (865) 357-5077 🔘 #BusinessAviation #AviationSafety #SafetyStanddown #CorporateAviation #Bombardier

Strive to be best in class by making best practices part of how your flight department operates every day—from safety and maintenance to financial discipline and team development. Demonstrate value by connecting your aviation team’s performance to the company’s priorities, including productive travel, reliable access to key markets, and responsiveness to changing business needs. Define success with meaningful measures, communicate results in terms leadership understands, and use those insights to drive continuous improvement. Visit graystoneadvisors.com/servic… to learn more. 🔘 Gray Stone Advisors is a business aviation consulting firm available to work with you one-on-one. +1 (865) 357-5077 🔘 #BusinessAviation #Consulting #AviationLeadership #FlightDepartment #PrivateAviation

Business aviation’s growth forecast raises a practical question for corporate flight departments: Are we planning for the market—or for the mission? Honeywell’s 2026 Global Business Aviation Outlook projects purchases of 8,500 business jets valued at $283 billion over the next decade. Its outlook page also identifies range as the leading aircraft purchase consideration. From a corporate flight department consulting perspective, the takeaway is alignment. Market confidence provides context, but investment decisions should start with the company’s business objectives. Here’s what that means in practice: Define the mission before selecting the aircraft. Evaluate actual passenger loads, destinations, runway requirements and trip frequency. Distinguish recurring needs from the occasional trip that could be served another way. Evaluate capability alongside total ownership cost. Additional range deserves consideration, but so do acquisition costs, maintenance exposure, staffing, training and the infrastructure required to support the aircraft. Plan operational readiness alongside fleet changes. An aircraft acquisition plan should include crew readiness, maintenance support, downtime coverage and integration into the department’s safety management processes—not just a delivery date. Make the business case measurable. Connect aviation spending to outcomes leadership can evaluate: access to critical locations, productive travel time, schedule flexibility and reliable transportation. A market forecast can help frame the discussion. It cannot substitute for a mission analysis. The right fleet decision is the one that supports the company’s objectives—and that the flight department can operate, maintain and sustain. Do you have questions? Gray Stone Advisors can help with The Way Forward™, learn more here graystoneadvisors.com/servic… 🔘 Gray Stone Advisors is a business aviation consulting firm available to work with you one-on-one. +1 (865) 357-5077 🔘 #BusinessAviation #CorporateAviation #FlightDepartment #FleetPlanning

Friday night 🔥 with my people.

Are you considering moving up to turbine power? There’s more to consider than speed and range. From maintenance planning and downtime to operating costs and training, a successful transition starts with understanding the full ownership picture. NBAA explores what to know before making the leap. Check out the full article by Gray Stone contributor Rick Scarbrough here nbaa.org/news/business-aviat… 🔘 Gray Stone Advisors is a business aviation consulting firm available to work with you one-on-one. +1 (865) 357-5077 🔘 #BusinessAviation #GeneralAviation #AircraftMaintenance #AviationSafety #Turboprop

Answer the “How” Your flight department’s vision describes where you want to go. Your mission should explain how you’ll get there. Start with: “We will accomplish our vision by…” Then identify the commitments that will guide your team—from safety and service to cost-effective operations. Read more at graystoneadvisors.com/blog/b… 🔘 Gray Stone Advisors is a business aviation consulting firm available to work with you one-on-one. +1 (865) 357-5077 🔘 #BusinessAviation #AviationLeadership #MissionStatement #StrategicPlanning #FlightDepartment

A few shots from yesterday's talk at @NBAA BACE. Thanks again to @TBXAirworthy for powering the industry forward by streamlining how we handle Airworthiness Directives. #NBAA2026 #BizAv #Airworthy

Aligning Aviation with Business Priorities Your flight department’s priorities should reflect the priorities of the business it serves. Gray Stone Advisors helps aviation organizations align with user expectations—connecting operational decisions with what matters to company leadership. Is your aviation team working toward the same goals as your executive team? Visit graystoneadvisors.com/servic… to learn more. 🔘 Gray Stone Advisors is a business aviation consulting firm available to work with you one-on-one. +1 (865) 357-5077 🔘 #BusinessAviation #AviationLeadership #BusinessStrategy #FlightDepartment #ExecutiveLeadership

It's GO TIME! #NBAA2026 – at Winchester, NV

Headed to @NBAA BACE today? Be sure to come see me for Airworthiness Directives: Streamlining Compliance in Business Aviation Maintenance. Powered by @TBXAirworthy 📅 Today, October 20 💡 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM Pacific Time (US & Canada) 📍 LVCC, West Hall, Room W219 Learn more here nbaa26.mapyourshow.com/8_0/s… 💥 ScarbroughCo, LLC is a storytelling marketing and content-creation firm that helps organizations communicate their value clearly, consistently, and persuasively across media channels. Learn more at ScarbroughCo.com 💥 #BusinessAviation #Consulting #AviationLeadership #NBAA2026 #NBAABACE

“Genius is one percent inspiration and ninety-nine percent perspiration.” Yesterday we remembered Thomas Edison on the anniversary of his passing, 18 October 1931. General Electric (GE)—traced back to Thomas Edison’s electrical and carbon-filament work—impacted aviation and business aviation by pioneering high-altitude propulsion, building America's first jet engines, and driving modern composite-fan jet technology. history.com/this-day-in-hist… 🔘 Gray Stone Advisors is a business aviation consulting firm available to work with you one-on-one. +1 (865) 357-5077 🔘 #History #GE #Edison #BusinessAviation #Consulting