Clay Lacy Aviation

Clay Lacy Aviation is a business aviation company founded at Van Nuys Airport (KVNY) in 1968 by Clay Lacy.[1][2][3] Clay Lacy Aviation provides aircraft management, private air charter, aircraft maintenance, fixed-base operator (FBO) and other services to private and corporate clients.[4] The company manages a nationwide fleet of more than 100 business jet aircraft, worth more than $1.5 billion, most of which are available for domestic and international private charter.[5][6]

Clay Lacy Aviation
TypePrivately Owned
IndustryPrivate aviation
Founded1968
FounderClay Lacy
HeadquartersVan Nuys Airport, Los Angeles
Area served
Worldwide
Key people
Brian Kirkdoffer, President and CEO
Services
Number of employees
500
Websitewww.claylacy.com

Operations centers, hangar facilities, and FAA Part 145 Repair Stations are located at Van Nuys Airport,[7] McClellan-Palomar Airport (KCRQ) near San Diego,[8] and Waterbury-Oxford Airport (KOXC) near New York.[9] Managed jet aircraft are based at general aviation airports across the U.S. Clay Lacy also operates a full-service FBO at Van Nuys Airport and began operating an FBO at Orange County's John Wayne Airport in January 2021.[10][11] A Clay Lacy Aviation FBO at Waterbury-Oxford Airport is set for completion in 2022.[12][13]

History

In 1968, Clay Lacy Aviation began operations as an on-demand jet charter operator at Van Nuys Airport in Los Angeles.[14] At the time it was the only jet charter company west of the Mississippi.[15] Early clients included Hollywood celebrities such as Danny Kaye, Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Sammy Davis, Jr., Carol Channing, Kirk Douglas, and Cary Grant.[16][17] Over the next decade, the company began to offer aircraft management and maintenance services, and in 1981 established the first all-jet FBO.[18]

In 2002, Clay Lacy expanded to the Pacific Northwest, with a hangar facility and full-service FBO at Boeing Field in Seattle.[19] An additional 40,000 square-foot of hangar space was completed there in 2009. In 2016, the company opened an FAA Part 145 Repair Station and expanded its Seattle capabilities to include FAA-certified private jet charter services.[20][21]

In 2006, Brian Kirkdoffer was promoted to company president.[22][23] Kirkdoffer joined Clay Lacy as a pilot in 1990. He has flown more than 10,000 hours in Learjet and Gulfstream aircraft and holds four world aeronautical speed records. He acquired majority interest in Clay Lacy Aviation in 2013, and is currently president and CEO.[24]

In 2011, the company opened a satellite office at McClellan-Palomar Airport near San Diego, adding an FAA Part 145 Repair Station in 2016.[25][26]

In 2016, Clay Lacy acquired Key Air, a long-time East Coast private aviation company, with an operations and maintenance center at Waterbury-Oxford Airport near New York. An FAA Part 145 Repair Station was certified in 2018.[27][28][29]

In 2017, the company's ground operations at Seattle's Boeing Field earned the first IS-BAH Stage II registration in North America.[30][31] IS-BAH is the International Standard for Business Aviation Handling.[32]

In 2018, Clay Lacy marked its fiftieth anniversary in April, opened its first New York office in June, and sold its Boeing Field Seattle operation in December.[33][34][35]

In January 2019, the company opened a new round-the-clock aircraft MRO (maintenance, repair and overhaul) facility at its Van Nuys Airport FAA Part 145 Repair Station.[36] In April 2019, the FAA awarded Part 145 certification to the Clay Lacy aircraft maintenance operation at Waterbury-Oxford Airport, in Oxford, Connecticut.[37]

In January 2020, Embraer expanded the authorized service center designation at Clay Lacy's Van Nuys Airport FAA Repair Station to include Embraer Legacy and Embraer Praetor business jets. Clay Lacy has been an authorized service center for Embraer Phenom 100 and Embraer Phenom 300 aircraft since 2009 and began performing 10-year inspections on those aircraft in 2019.[38][39][40]

Responding to the COVID-19 pandemic, in April 2020 Clay Lacy developed and implemented the CleanCheck health and safety standard throughout its aircraft operations, based on recommendations and best practices from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the United States Department of Transportation, and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).[41][42] Also in April, and in response to COVID-19, the company broadened its aircraft detailing capabilities with disinfecting services, available through Clay Lacy maintenance centers and mobile response teams.[43][44]

In September 2020, the Orange County Board of Supervisors concluded a four-year evaluation process and awarded Clay Lacy a thirty-five year, 15-acre leasehold to design, build, and operate a full-service FBO with hangar, office space, and private terminal at John Wayne Airport in Santa Ana, California. Operations began in January 2021.[45][46]

A third Clay Lacy FBO, to be developed on a 16-acre, 30-year leasehold at Waterbury-Oxford Airport, was announced by the Connecticut Airport Authority in October 2020.[47] The 40,000-square-foot hanger and FBO will be completed in 2022, expanding the company’s operations in the northeastern United States and creating an estimated 100 new jobs.[48] An additional 120,000 square feet of aircraft maintenance and hangar space will be constructed in subsequent years.[49]


Aviation training and education scholarships

In addition to direct donations to aviation training and educational programs,[50] Clay Lacy offers pilot scholarships through the John D. Odegard School of Aerospace Sciences at the University of North Dakota[51] and Orange Coast College in Costa Mesa, California,[52] as well as aviation scholarships through the Flight Path Museum and Learning Center in Los Angeles.[53] Scholarships are also available to students attending the LAUSD's North Valley Occupational Center Aviation Mechanics School.[54] The company supports educational efforts through events such as Aviation Career Day at Van Nuys Airport, and mentoring and job shadowing programs.[55][56]

Safety and operational certifications
  • FAR Part 135 Air Carrier Certificate BKEA492C[57]
  • FAR Part 145 Repair Station BKER301L – Los Angeles, California[58]
  • FAR Part 145 Repair Station 4XGR883C – San Diego, California[59]
  • FAR Part 145 Repair Station 81CR317D – Oxford, Connecticut[60]
  • ARGUS Platinum[61]
  • Wyvern Wingman[62]
  • International Standard for Business Aviation Operations (IS-BAO) Stage III[63]

References
  1. “Van Nuys Airport’s Clay Lacy Aviation breaks ground on major expansion,” by Dana Bartholomew, "Los Angeles Daily News," February 12, 2015
  2. “Lacy, Clay, Pilot/Entrepreneur, Enshrined 2010,” The National Aviation Hall of Fame
  3. “Moon Astronaut and Aviation Hall of Fame Pilot to be Honored at Palm Springs Air Museum Gala,” by Ann Greer, “Desert Sun,” January 29, 2018
  4. “Aviation Pros Buyers Guide,”
  5. “Clay Lacy Adds New Jets and Locations for Private Jet Charter in Q1 2018,” by Doug Gollam, “Private Jet Card Comparisons”
  6. “Clay Lacy Aviation Charter Activity Growing,” by Molly McMillin, “Aviation Week,” Feb 12, 2018
  7. “Clay Lacy Aviation, Inc.”, “Air Charter Guide”
  8. “Clay Lacy,” “Ranch & Coast,” December 1, 2016
  9. “Waterbury-Oxford Airport, Connecticut Airport Authority
  10. “Clay Lacy Aviation, KVNY Van Nuys Airport,” Paragon Aviation Group
  11. “Clay Lacy Aviation Awarded FBO Lease at John Wayne Airport, Orange County,” Yahoo! News, September 23, 2020
  12. “Connecticut Airport Authority Announces Clay Lacy Aviation Expansion at Waterbury-Oxford Airport,” Aviation Pros, October 30, 2020
  13. Epstein, Curt, "Clay Lacy to Open East Coast FBO,” Business Jet Traveler, November 2020
  14. Geere, Stacy T. (2010). Lucky Me: The Life and Flights of Veteran Aviator Clay Lacy. Van Nuys: The Donning Company Publishers. ISBN 978-1-57864-635-7., page 81
  15. “Jet service pioneer at Van Nuys Airport gets Howard Hughes honor,” by Dan Weikel, “Los Angeles Times,” February 9, 2012
  16. Geere. Lucky Me. p. 80
  17. “Lear Jet: 50th Anniversary Milestone, The story behind an iconic aviation photograph,” by Stephen Pope, “Flying,” July 6, 2016
  18. ““The Air Elite Network welcomes Clay Lacy Aviation,” by Terry Spruce, “Corporate Jet Investor,” November 18, 2015
  19. “Clay Lacy, API CEO Acquire FBO in Seattle at BFI,” Staff Article, “Aviation Week,” September 9, 2002
  20. “Clay Lacy Aviation-Seattle Expands Maintenance Offerings with Newly-Awarded FAA Part 145 Repair Station Certification,” “DOM, Director of Maintenance,” April 29, 2016
  21. “Clay Lacy Aviation,” FlightAware
  22. “Clay Lacy has a new boss,” AIN Staff, “Aviation International News,” November 14, 2006
  23. “Executive Profile: Brian Kirkdoffer, President & CEO, Clay Lacy Aviation,” Bloomberg
  24. “Clay Lacy Aviation’s Key to Sky-High Success,” “CSQ," January 1, 2017
  25. “Clay Lacy Aviation opens at CRQ,” by Janice Wood, “General Aviation News,” September 27, 2011
  26. “Clay Lacy,” “Ranch & Coast,” December 1, 2016
  27. “Clay Lacy Aviation, Key Air to Merge,” by Chad Trautvetter, “Aviation International News,” September 14, 2016
  28. “Clay Lacy Merges With East Coast Aviation Firm,” by Mark Madler, “San Fernando Valley Business Journal,” September 14, 2016
  29. “Clay Lacy opens maintenance facility at KOXC,” Staff Article, “General Aviation News,” April 18, 2018
  30. “Clay Lacy Aviation Earns IS-BAH Stage II Safety Registration,” William Garvey, Jessica A. Salerno and Molly McMillin, “Aviation Week,” September 22, 2017
  31. “Clay Lacy BFI Gets First North American IS-BAH Stage II,” Curt Epstein, “Aviation International News,” July 11, 2017
  32. “Introducing IS-BAH,” International Business Aviation Council
  33. “Clay Lacy Aviation Celebrates 50 Years at VNY,” by Alexa Rexroth, “Aviation International News,” March 28, 2018
  34. “Private jet company Clay Lacy opens first office in New York,” by Anthony Notto, “New York Business Journal,” June 27, 2018
  35. "Modern Aviation Acquires Clay Lacy FBO in Seattle," Jerry Siebenmark, "Aviation International News," December 28, 2018
  36. Epstein, Carl (February 14, 2019), “Clay Lacy Debuts New VNY MRO Facility, AINonline
  37. Lynch, Kerry (May 29, 2019), “Clay Lacy's OXC Site Gets Part 145 Approval, AINonline
  38. “Embraer Expands Clay Lacy Service Center Authorization to include Legacy and Praetor Aircraft,” Aviation Pros, January 14, 2020
  39. Siebenmark, Jerry, “Clay Lacy Adds Legacy, Praetor To Embraer Mx Bona Fides,” AINonline, January 15, 2020
  40. Siebenmark, Jerry, “10-year Phenom Inspections Keep Clay Lacy Aviation Busy,” AIN Online, May 20, 2020
  41. Sampson Ben, “Coronavirus: Clay Lacy creates health and safety standard,” May 7, 2020
  42. “Clay Lacy Aviation Sets New CleanCheck Standard as Commitment to Health and Safety," AVIATION PROS, May 5, 2020
  43. Epstein, Curt, “CLAY LACY ADDS DISINFECTION SERVICES,” Business Jet Traveler, April 2020
  44. "CLAY LACY LAUNCHES AIRCRAFT CLEANING AND DISINFECTING SERVICES," Aero News Network, April 29, 2020
  45. Madler, Mark, “Clay Lacy to Build FBO in Orange County,” San Fernando Valley Business Journal, September 23, 2020
  46. “Clay Lacy Aviation Awarded FBO Lease at John Wayne Airport, Orange County,” BUSINESS INSIDER, September 23, 2020
  47. “Connecticut Airport Authority Announces Clay Lacy Aviation Expansion at Waterbury-Oxford Airport,” October 29, 2020
  48. Gosselin, Kenneth R., “Private jet servicer to expand, add jobs at Waterbury-Oxford Airport,” Hartford Courant, October 29, 2020
  49. Missakian, Natalie, “Aviation firm building $20M complex at Waterbury-Oxford Airport,” New Haven Biz, October 30, 2020
  50. “Two corporate jets donated to mechanics school at Van Nuys Airport,” by Dan Weikel, “Los Angeles Times,” June 5, 2014
  51. “Clay Lacy Scholarships Announced,” Aero News Network, May 2, 2002
  52. “Private jet company establishes scholarship for Orange Coast College aviation students,” by Louis Casiano, “Orange County Register,” May 10, 2017
  53. Flight Path Museum, Education
  54. “Clay Lacy Awards 22 Scholarships,” Staff Article, “General Aviation News,” February 8, 2017
  55. “1,500 Students Explore Aviation Careers at Van Nuys Airport,” by Rob Mark, “Flying,” May 3, 2018
  56. “Clay Lacy Scholarship Funds Awarded to 26 Students at LAUSD Aircraft Mechanic School and Orange Coast College Pilot Program,” AVIATION PROS, June 11, 2020
  57. U.S. Certificated Air Carriers, U.S. Department of Transportation
  58. Federal Aviation Administration
  59. Federal Aviation Administration
  60. Federal Aviation Administration
  61. “ARGUS Operator Registry
  62. “Wingman Directory, Wyvern, Ltd
  63. “IS-BAO Registrations, Operators, International Business Aviation Council
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