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“FPI’s ‘X’ Factor: A Nimble, Unified, Integrated & Comprehensive Operations Team.”

— Tim Bartholomew, FPI’s Executive Director of Operations

(May 2025)

Stakes don’t get much higher than a high-value VIP with high expectations and a high-velocity global schedule. Their business propels forward while mostly oblivious to the high volume of action steps required for seamless, end-to-end execution.

In addition to pilots, crew, and staff, FPI’s Integrated Operations Professionals are among the unsung heroes that convert the near-chaos of private aviation into precision choreography around the clock. The pressure never relents, nor does their drive for a successful mission each and every time.

“Most trip coordination companies will boast of ‘white glove service’”, says Tim Bartholomew, FPI’s Executive Director of Operations. “What’s the “X” factor that distinguishes FPI from other flight operations firms? Our nimble, unified, integrated and comprehensive operations team.”

By design, FPI’s infrastructure is built to be a lean and limber SMB (small/medium business) so clients never get lost in a corporate juggernaut, and so that each specialty personnel in operations is empowered to integrate, overlap, and ensure no detail is overlooked.

FPI’s framework also stands unique by operating 24/7/365, literally all under one roof and only a few feet from one another in their Houston, TX, headquarters, creating an efficient collaboration and communication process ready to respond rapidly to client needs.

The following operations specialties work in close formation to support global client trips:

Plus two overarching divisions:

Each specialty is cross-trained on the other specialties, and in many cases, individual team members come to the table with multiple competencies under their belts.

“It’s tough to weigh the added value of having a refined aviation meteorologist and experienced flight planner all within the same person,” states Tim. “In fact, all of FPI’s meteorologists are trained experts at flight planning.”

Adding to FPI’s signature formula is their unique longevity experience: Operations team members have decades of experience (apiece) in private aviation, experience with multiple specialty aviation roles, and experience specifically working with each other.

“Everyone working here has a passion for aviation and truly enjoys what they do,” continues Tim. “One of the key attributes we look for when hiring is a person’s attitude and affinity for the aviation culture. With the talent pool evolving from the legendary ARI,” (Tim says referring to Air Routing International, a prior company co-founded by FPI’s founder, Tom Balousek), “FPI is a great place to work for seasoned experts.”

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Let’s briefly unpack the roles of each department and how they converge:

METEOROLOGY/FLIGHT PLANNING:

FPI’s meteorology team provides best-in-class computer flight plans and meteorological support during all phases of your mission, analyzing all elements of the route to ensure that aircraft performance is maximized including winds aloft, routing schemes, airport suitability, and that all CAA regulatory obligations are met. Emphasis is placed on turbulence/thunderstorm avoidance, along with a vigorous examination of any type of storm system that may affect the route.

“Of equal importance to a weather crisis is the relationship between our meteorologists and ground handling, so that the passenger’s experience remains fluid,” states Brad Asselin, FPI’s Director of Weather and Flight Planning.

“In general, I think the heart and soul of our meteorology department is their long-term experience specifically working alongside each other as far back as ARI,” continues Brad, referring again to Air Routing International. “Even back then, the team was the superior talent in the industry, and that’s carried over into what they do everyday now for FPI.”

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TRIP PLANNING:

Clients receive dedicated support from FPI’s Global Trip Support (GTS) and Special Services Network (SSN) teams for the duration of the journey, spearheaded by the Trip Coordination team alongside FPI’s other Ops departments in Houston.

From pre-trip planning, to operational execution, to post-trip wrap-up, FPI’s Trip Coordinators are multi-faceted and globally agile thanks to their decades of experience.

“Many of the Ops team members are former private pilots, FAA dispatch professionals, and controllers… and a large percentage of them are former military, including Navy meteorologists, Marine Corps C130 navigators, Air Force fighter pilots, airfield operations, etc.” states Joel Logan, Director of Trip Coordination Services. “However, despite their impressive backgrounds and degrees, what’s most notable is their abundant time in the seat merging their skills as flight planners and trip coordinators alongside each other.

“There’s no ‘degree’ that can teach someone how to navigate private aviation nuances on the fly. A person doesn’t become a great trip coordinator by book knowledge. Experience is priceless in this business, and longevity with familiar colleagues in this business is even greater. I believe it’s another aspect that makes FPI’s Operations team stand apart.”

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COMPLIANCE/REGULATORY:

Compliance and regulations are constantly changing, and FPI’s investigative regulatory support team stays abreast of governmental requirements around the world.

Compliance programs range from overflight permitting, to data security, anti-bribery, sanctions, VISA waivers, RSP/CBP programs, and even including the knowledge of how to properly bring a dog into the U.S.

“Our Compliance and Regulatory group routinely interfaces with governments of all sizes/types as we look for opportunities to assist our clients with meeting a vast variety of dynamic and complex regulatory obligations,” states Rick Snider, FPI’s Director of Contracts and Compliance.

“We particularly save time for our clients where there’s a high level of process complexity. We’re here to help and in many cases, we take the administrative burdens completely off our clients’ shoulders.”

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VENDOR RELATIONS:

“I honestly believe we work with the best vendors in the world,” says Mike Stevens, FPI’s Director of Vendor Management. “FPI’s vendors are an extension of our headquartered operations and are rooted in our culture, no matter where they’re located. We’ve worked with some of our vendors for 20-30 years or more, and I’ve enjoyed building these relationships into our FPI family. New vendors are put through a rigorous vetting process that’s second to none, because there are big shoes to fill in our company culture.”

FPI’s vendor network comprise the respected Special Services Network (SSN), dedicated in-country experts who provide a customized solution for each client trip. FPI vendors are integrated into FPI’s custom trip management software, “FPC” (FlightProConnect.com), most notably within the trip planner feature for ultimate client convenience and reassurance of FPI’s high standards of scrutiny.

“Our vendors are tasked to be very nimble, to cross-reference data with the team quickly, and to move fast on decisions instead of going through a lengthy red-tape process common in top-heavy institutions,” states Mike. “Rather than compartmentalize, our team looks at every trip holistically and globally.”

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FUEL SERVICES:

Fuel is often listed as just one line item in a long list of ground handling services; however, it’s a category ripe with opportunity for delays, hassles, and/or unexpected costs if the dots are improperly connected.

It’s for this reason that FPI’s in-house fuel services department is seamlessly aligned with every other department within the company, from operations to invoicing, and is also nestled within FPC. When fuel management is synced with all other flight operations under a single digital roof, pilots and trip managers can breathe easily knowing the data is available at any hour of the day.

“One of our key benefits is that we’re a ‘one-stop-shop’ service for our clients,” says Cristina Turpin, Manager of Fuel Operations. “FPI’s clients receive the whole fuel management experience through us. We’ve seen nearly every scenario possible, and can help clients better prepare for any fuel-related nuances ahead of them on their trip.”

Sr. Fuel Operations Specialist, Shannon Washington, concurs, “Our purpose is to take any fuel management concerns off the shoulders of the pilot and their operations teams. Pilots should expect to simply sign the fuel ticket, fuel up, and fly away without hassle or surprises.”

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TRAVEL SERVICES:

Private aviation passengers are generally accustomed to the benefits of hiring professional travel agents for ease of movement.

Private aviation crew, with even more nuances to manage, can achieve the same peace of mind that comes with deploying a professional travel agency when planning through FPI.

Fortunately, FPI clients can find VIP travel planning resources under one roof thanks to FPI’s internal, full-service travel agency. This agency is nestled within FPI’s Operations Department, providing a seamless turnkey experience for FPI clients, along with the reassurance that sudden travel changes are closely examined by the other Ops specialists at FPI.

“Getting to know each client is one of the most appealing parts of my job,” states Joel Juarez, Sr. Manager of Travel Services. “After the initial trips, it’s fun to see the client’s unique tastes and preferences emerge. At that point, our Ops department can get creative on recommending regional nuances to make the experience more unique for both the crew and their passengers.

“Within FPI, our mission is even more critical as we’re helping the crew and aircraft trip planners look even better in the eyes of their clients: the private aircraft passengers.”

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To round out the full Operations experience, it’s important to mention two overarching divisions that coalesce the client experience:

FPI’S ACCOUNTING DEPARTMENT:

Having observed aviation trip management invoicing do’s and don’ts for 30+ years, FPI’s Founder, Tom Balousek, had insisted the company’s invoicing system be as clear and uncomplicated as possible for clients from day one when launching FPI. Travelers familiar with chasing an erroneous hotel invoice after a long trip know how painfully tedious that single task can be, and FPI’s accounting system is built to take that burden completely off clients’ shoulders.

Each and every invoice is scrutinized immediately upon receipt and manually compared to clients’ aircrafts and trip intricacies, requiring more than just a cursory knowledge of aircraft types and trip scope. Such a high level of consistent accuracy can only be done by liaising between the many FPI departments touching the trip (Ops, Travel, Compliance, Fuel, etc.).

“Invoicing arrives to us in many formats and accuracy levels from all over the world. We take a very fine toothed comb to them on behalf of our clients,” states Amanda Rogers, Sr. Accounting Manager. “If we can’t explain it, we have no business invoicing it.”

FLIGHTPROCONNECT.COM (“FPC”):

FPC, a custom trip management app thoughtfully designed for pilots, trip schedulers, and dispatchers, takes a proactive approach to cyber security and client convenience.

With useful features such as the new “trip planner” feature, offline operations capabilities, real-time feedback features, in-app messaging center, and direct system links with a variety of global programs (i.e. Europe’s eu-LISA Entry/Exit System), FPC is FPI’s all-in-one tool for ensuring effectiveness and efficiency on the go.

FPC streamlines the details and activities of all FPI’s Operations departments into a single platform that is rigorously put through an annual “Pen Test” (penetration test) each year to ensure all client data is fortified and secure.

“FPC was designed holistically to coordinate a large amount of pertinent data to be at clients’ fingertips in an organized and quickly-accessible manner, so that your research is as smooth as your operations experience will be when using FPI,” notes Roberto Cormack, Executive VP and CIO. “Additionally, all FPC tools are free for FPI clients… No subscriptions or added fees are implemented for access.”

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By being an extension of your flight department, FPI’s mission is to provide best-in-class service from wheels up to touch down. Having a well-oiled, fully integrated Operations machine is the precision engine that provides the confidence that every journey is managed with unmatched professionalism, even if needing to adapt on the fly.

“We’ve taken many approaches to expand FPI’s services into areas that will enrich our clients’ flight operations experience,” states Matt Pahl, FPI President and COO. “To do so, we employ a versatile team who can wear many hats on any given day. Whether obtaining regulatory certifications, navigating complex trip changes, or developing a custom trip management software program, our goal is to alleviate pain points our clients have experienced before bringing FPI into the fold.”

“Flight services is a team sport. It’s going to take multiple people from diverse specialties across numerous departments to make each trip successful,” says Tim Bartholomew. “As Vince Lombardi once said, ‘Perfection is not attainable, but if we chase perfection, we can catch excellence’, and that’s what we strive for here at FPI: Excellence. Excellent service, exceptional client experience, passion and perseverance… it’s the culture of FPI and what drives all of us.”

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To learn more about FPI, FPC, or regarding the Compliance, Operations, Regulatory, and other Special Services Network (SSN) teams, please contact our Operations staff here at Flight Pro International.

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