The independent broker platform of Indianapolis-based Jet Access has surpassed 30 affiliated brokers, a milestone accelerated by the recent recruitment of approximately 10 high-producing professionals formerly associated with competitor Jets.com.

In a press release issued on September 9, 2026, Jet Access announced that the influx of established brokers is driving a compounding growth effect across its vertically integrated business. The new arrivals are transitioning their existing client bases into the Jet Access ecosystem, with many clients converting into Jet Access Reserve Card holders.

Infrastructure and client conversion

The Jet Access Broker Alliance, officially launched to the wider industry in September 2025 following an internal rollout, was designed to provide independent brokers with the resources of a national aviation company while allowing them to maintain their independent identities and client relationships.

Darryn Mackenzie, Executive Vice President of Jet Access Broker Alliance, noted that the platform’s infrastructure is the primary draw for established industry veterans seeking stability for their books of business.

“When experienced, high-producing brokers who’ve built successful careers in this industry choose our platform, that tells us we’re solving a real problem for brokers,” Mackenzie said. “They didn’t come here to learn the business. They came for a platform with more infrastructure behind it.”

Mackenzie emphasized that the milestone of 30 brokers is secondary to the resulting business momentum. The integration of new brokers directly fuels the company’s fixed-rate jet card program, as clients seek the predictability offered by the Reserve Card.

Vertical integration as a competitive advantage

The parent company employs over 400 aviation professionals and operates across multiple segments of the industry. The Jet Access portfolio includes aircraft management, on-demand charter, fixed-base operators (FBOs), maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) facilities, and flight schools.

Quinn Ricker, CEO and Owner of Jet Access, stated that this comprehensive suite of services allows brokers to expand their offerings beyond standard charter flights and better serve high-net-worth clients.

“They see what a fully vertically integrated aviation business can bring to them and their clients: on-demand charter, jet cards, fractional and whole aircraft ownership, all in one suite of solutions,” Ricker said. “It transforms them from brokers into full aviation advisors.”

The company noted that a growing internal fleet provides brokers and their clients with reliable aircraft availability. This operational reliability serves as a self-reinforcing recruitment tool, attracting additional brokers to the platform.

AirPro News analysis

The rapid expansion of the Jet Access Broker Alliance highlights a broader shift in the private aviation brokerage sector. We are observing that independent brokers are increasingly prioritizing platforms that offer robust, vertically integrated infrastructure over traditional, standalone brokerage models. By providing access to guaranteed availability and fixed-rate products like the Reserve Card, Jet Access is effectively utilizing its operational assets as a recruitment mechanism. The migration of a significant block of brokers from Jets.com suggests that client retention tools and fleet reliability are becoming the primary battlegrounds for securing top-tier industry talent.

Sources: Jet Access Broker Alliance

California-based fractional aircraft ownership company FlyEpic has completed 550 flights and accessed 1,762 airports across 11 Western states during its first eight months of operation.

In a press release issued on September 9, 2026, the company announced the operational milestone, validating its strategy of utilizing single-engine turboprops to connect regional destinations that larger business jets cannot easily access. FlyEpic launched its fractional ownership program in January 2026, focusing exclusively on the Epic E1000 aircraft to serve the expansive and mountainous Western United States.

Operational milestones and regional focus

FlyEpic operates from its headquarters in San Carlos, California, targeting routes that are geographically close but logistically difficult to reach via commercial airlines or ground transport. Popular routes for the operator include flights from the San Francisco Bay Area to Casper, Wyoming; Spokane, Washington; Colorado Springs, Colorado; Prescott, Arizona; and Costa Mesa, California.

FlyEpic CEO Scott Shatzer stated that the company’s owners use the service to bypass the logistical hurdles of regional travel.

“The West is full of places that look close on a map but aren’t always easy to reach. When you can leave on your schedule, land closer to where you’re going and get home the same day, you’re not just changing how you travel. You’re getting hours of your life back,” Shatzer said.

Fleet strategy and fractional model

The core of FlyEpic’s business model relies on the Epic E1000, a single-engine turboprop with a maximum range of 1,200 nautical miles. According to industry reporting by Aviation Week, utilizing the E1000 allows the company to trade the high speed and transcontinental range of traditional business jets for the ability to operate out of smaller regional airports with shorter runways.

The company offers a 1/16 ownership share, which includes 50 annual flight hours. A June 2026 profile by AZ Big Media reported the cost of this share at $285,400. FlyEpic also offers a 25-hour introductory card, priced at $112,500 during the same period.

Company founder Tanya Eves described the service as a practical tool rather than a status symbol, noting that clients want their actual lives to work better rather than seeking a flashier lifestyle. Former founding CEO Toby Woods echoed this sentiment in earlier 2026 coverage by AZ Big Media, describing the service as an intelligent solution for travelers who need functional private aviation without the pretense of a large-cabin jet.

AirPro News analysis

We note a quiet leadership transition within FlyEpic’s executive team during its first year of operation. While Toby Woods was identified as the founding CEO during the company’s public launch and subsequent media coverage through June 2026, the September milestone announcement attributes the chief executive role to Scott Shatzer. The company has not publicly detailed the reasons for this executive shift.

Operationally, FlyEpic’s rapid accumulation of 550 flights across nearly 1,800 Airports demonstrates clear demand for sub-light-jet fractional ownership in the Western United States. The single-engine turboprop market, long dominated by the Pilatus PC-12 in fractional and charter operations, provides a proven economic model for regional connectivity. By leveraging the Epic E1000, FlyEpic is testing whether a newer, high-performance airframe can capture a dedicated slice of the utility-focused Private-Jets aviation market.

Sources: FlyEpic via GlobeNewswire

The Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS) Queensland Section will modernize its aeromedical fleet with the acquisition of six new Beechcraft King Air 260C Commercial-Aircraft, featuring bespoke medical interiors designed by HeliMods. The first fully fitted aircraft is scheduled for Delivery in 2028, coinciding with the organization’s centenary.

Announced in a press release on September 14, 2026, the Investments aims to replace the operator’s aging Beechcraft King Air B200 fleet. The new airframes promise faster cruise speeds, improved performance, and updated Avionics while retaining the short-field capabilities required for remote Australian airstrips.

Fleet modernization strategy

According to reporting by AviNews, the RFDS Queensland Section currently operates 26 Beechcraft King Air turboprops, comprising 16 B200s, four B350CHWs, and six B360s. The new King Air 260C aircraft will specifically replace the older B200 models, some of which were manufactured in 2004. The organization identified the 260C as the optimal successor in its 2024/25 Annual Report.

RFDS Queensland Section Chief Executive Officer Meredith Staib described the acquisition as a once-in-a-generation investment in the future of aeromedical care.

“The new aircraft will be more powerful than its predecessor, helping our medical crews reach patients sooner and transfer them safely to the care they need,” Staib said.

Bespoke mission system integration

To equip the new airframes for specialized healthcare operations, the RFDS has engaged Sunshine Coast-based HeliMods to design and integrate a bespoke Aeromedical Mission System (AMS). HeliMods has an established relationship with the operator, having previously modified the six Beechcraft King Air B360 aircraft currently in the Queensland fleet.

HeliMods Founder Will Shrapnel noted that Queensland’s vast size and remoteness create highly challenging conditions for healthcare delivery.

“Working closely with RFDS (Queensland Section), HeliMods is developing and delivering an advanced aeromedical mission system that will help unlock the full potential of this next-generation aircraft,” Shrapnel stated.

Operational scale and Delivery timeline

The transition to the King Air 260C platform will occur over a multi-year period. The first fully fitted aircraft is expected to enter service in 2028, aligning with the 100th anniversary of the RFDS. The remaining five aircraft are scheduled for Delivery between 2028 and 2030, according to AviNews.

The scale of the Queensland operation necessitates reliable, high-performance aircraft. During the 2024/25 financial year, the RFDS Queensland Section transported approximately 13,000 patients. The operator covers a landmass of 1.723 million square kilometers, representing more than 22 percent of the Australian continent.

AirPro News analysis

We view the selection of the Beechcraft King Air 260C as a logical progression for the RFDS Queensland Section. The King Air family has long dominated the fixed-wing aeromedical sector in Australia due to its pressurized cabin, payload capacity, and rugged landing gear suitable for unpaved outback strips. Transitioning from the B200 to the 260C minimizes pilot transition training and leverages existing maintenance infrastructure while introducing modern digital pressurization and advanced Avionics. The continued Partnerships with HeliMods highlights a growing trend among specialized operators to rely on domestic engineering firms for bespoke mission systems, ensuring the interior configurations are precisely tailored to regional operational demands.

Sources: Royal Flying Doctor Service