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Oct. 15--Wichita aviation executive Brad Hatt has formed Sojourn Aviation, a business to help clients buy, sell and operate business aircraft.
Hatt, a former president of Hawker Beechcraft's commercial aircraft division, and partner Kenn Ricci plan to officially launch the company next week at the National Business Aviation Association's annual convention in Atlanta.
Ricci, founder of fractional ownership company Flight Options, is Sojourn's chairman. Hatt is managing partner.
"It's a tough time in that we are in the economic situation that we're at,(but) people still have a need and a desire for aviation and transportation," he said.
And they can take advantage of the market by buying at today's depressed pricing, he said.
Hatt said he will be able to leverage past relationships with customers, manufacturers and brokers around the world.
"A lot of it has just been former customers that have contacted me," he said.
The company will help with acquisitions, brokerage, sales of Sojourn-owned aircraft and financing.
It will also help with consulting in aircraft selection, value analysis, usage, fleet planning and charter and aircraft management.
Hatt has lined up investors in the business and will bring in other financial partners for specific projects.
Wichita entrepreneur Jack DeBoer will be a financial partner on a transaction-by-transaction basis, he said. Hatt has been serving as president of Jack DeBoer's Consolidated Holdings Group.
Reach Molly McMillin at 316-269-6708 or [email protected].
