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PrivateJetBS

Michael Barber is the man you call when you need deals closed, jets sold, and acquisitions perfected; period. As Managing Director & Vice President of Sales Operations at jetAVIVA, and one of fewer than 200 IADA Certified Brokers worldwide, Michael is a force in the business aviation industry. Since joining jetAVIVA in 2025, he has transformed the Challenger 300/350/3500 market into his personal runway; leading sales operations, mentoring the next generation of researchers, and representing clients with a fiduciary standard that sets the bar across the industry. Michael’s track record speaks for itself. He was Leviate Air Group’s Top Producer in 2023, built the back end of boutique consulting firms before that, and has closed transactions with clients on six of the seven continents. His career is a masterclass in international negotiation, strategy, and execution, earning him a reputation as both a market expert and a trusted advisor. But, Michael isn’t just about jets, he’s about risk, reward, and control. With more than 20 years in emergency services, he knows how to perform under pressure. From leading the largest ski patrol on the East Coast to a decorated career as a Firefighter/Medic, he has spent his life turning high-stakes situations into controlled victories. When he’s not closing deals or commanding the room, Michael lives in Charlottesville, Virginia, with his wife and their two children. On Sundays, you’ll find him at the polo fields or exploring Virginia’s wine country. But, make no mistake, his work and life are proof that success isn’t an accident. It’s the result of preparation, determination, and knowing when to take the shot.

PrivateJetBS | When Experience Becomes Instinct: The Real Value of Aircraft Specialization

Were you forwarded this newsletter? Subscribe here. Trust the Process, Not the Promises.™ PrivateJetBS | Edition 23 This is the first PrivateJetBS newsletter of 2026, and the first of 28 editions planned this year. When I launched this platform, the goal was simple: cut through the baggage and surprises of private jet transactions by sharing lessons learned from real deals, real markets, and real conversations. To start the year, I want to share one of the most important professional lessons...

PrivateJetBS | From Molten Crystal to Million-Dollar Aircraft

Were you forwarded this newsletter? Subscribe here. Trust the Process, Not the Promises.™ PrivateJetBS | Edition 22 What Craftsmanship Can Teach Us About Becoming a Private Jet Broker There’s a story I’ve always loved from outside our industry, it's one that has nothing to do with engines, LOIs, or runway lengths, yet everything to do with what makes great brokers great. It’s the story of Waterford Crystal. For more than 200 years, Waterford has trained craftsmen through apprenticeships that...

PrivateJetBS | The Generational Shift in Business Aviation: What’s Really Happening (and Why It Matters More Than You Think)

Were you forwarded this newsletter? Subscribe here. Trust the Process, Not the Promises.™ PrivateJetBS | Edition 21 The Generational Shift in Business Aviation — Why Apprenticeship, Teaming, and Patience Still Win There is no question that business aviation is experiencing a generational shift. What deserves more attention, however, is how that shift is being managed, and in some cases, misunderstood. This conversation isn’t about resisting change. It’s about realism. And realism matters in...
PrivateJetBS | G200 ? G280 ? G300 : The State of the Fleet & the Future of the Line | Part 3/3

PrivateJetBS | G200 → G280 → G300 : The State of the Fleet & the Future of the Line | Part 3/3

Were you forwarded this newsletter? Subscribe here. Trust the Process, Not the Promises.™ PrivateJetBS | Edition 20 PrivateJetBS | Gulfstream Legacy Series Part 3: The State of the Fleet & the Future of the Line — G200 → G280 → G300 By now, if you’ve read Parts 1 and 2 of this series, you already understand how the Galaxy became the G200 and how the G280 redefined what a super-mid could be. So rather than revisiting what brought us here, let’s focus on where the lineage stands today, and...
PrivateJetBS | The Gulfstream G280 – Reinvention and the Rise of the Super-Mid

PrivateJetBS | G280 – Reinvention and the Rise | Gulfstream's Super-Mid Series - Part II

Were you forwarded this newsletter? Subscribe here. Trust the Process, Not the Promises.™ PrivateJetBS | Edition 19 PrivateJetBS | Gulfstream Legacy Series Part 2: The Gulfstream G280 – Reinvention and the Rise of the Super-Mid When Gulfstream acquired the Galaxy and relaunched it as the G200, the aircraft proved there was a hungry market for a super-mid jet with real cabin comfort, real range, and big-jet presence. But as the G200 proliferated, so did its limitations. The cabin was...
PrivateJetBS | From Galaxy to Gulfstream | Gulfstream's Super-Mid Series - Part I

PrivateJetBS | From Galaxy to Gulfstream | Gulfstream's Super-Mid Series - Part I

Were you forwarded this newsletter? Subscribe here. Trust the Process, Not the Promises.™ PrivateJetBS | Edition 18 PrivateJetBS | Gulfstream Legacy Series Part 1: From Galaxy to Gulfstream – The G200’s Market Disruption Before the super-mid category became one of the most competitive, value-dense segments in business aviation, it began as an idea—one that didn’t come from Savannah, Wichita, or Montreal. It came from Israel. In the early 1990s, Israel Aircraft Industries (IAI) was already...
Gratitude at 41,000 Feet

PrivateJetBS | Thanksgiving Edition - Gratitude at 41,000 Feet

Were you forwarded this newsletter? Subscribe here. Trust the Process, Not the Promises.™ PrivateJetBS | Edition 17 Gratitude at 41,000 Feet The day after Thanksgiving is usually when the world shifts gears. The turkey leftovers are in the fridge, the kids are either building forts out of couch cushions or lobbying for Christmas decorations, and most of us are somewhere between reflection and the next flight out. In business aviation, though we don’t always leave much space for gratitude. We...
Scoping engines during a pre-buy isn’t inherently wrong... it’s situational.

PrivateJetBS | When Curiosity Costs — Scoping Engines and the Out-of-Sequence Dilemma

Were you forwarded this newsletter? Subscribe here. Trust the Process, Not the Promises.™ PrivateJetBS | Edition 16 When Curiosity Costs — Scoping Engines and the Out-of-Sequence Dilemma In brokerage, few technical questions divide a hangar faster than this: Should we—or should we not—scope an engine during a pre-purchase inspection? The conversation isn’t new. It’s been brewing for well over a year, quietly surfacing in hangar corners, conference panels, and late-night broker chats. But this...

PrivateJetBS | Initial Visual vs. Pre-Purchase Inspection: The First Look vs. the Full Dive

Were you forwarded this newsletter? Subscribe here. Trust the Process, Not the Promises.™ PrivateJetBS | Edition 15 Initial Visual vs. Pre-Purchase Inspection: The First Look vs. the Full Dive In every aircraft transaction, there’s a pivotal window between intent and commitment. That short but essential time between signing a Letter of Intent (LOI) and executing the Aircraft Purchase Agreement (APA). This is where the Initial Visual Inspection lives. It’s the buyer’s first real opportunity,...
"...modernization of a legendary line."

PrivateJetBS | The Challenger 3500 and the Future of Super-Mid Jets | The Challenger 300 Series : Part 3/3

Were you forwarded this newsletter? Subscribe here. Trust the Process, Not the Promises. PrivateJetBS | Edition 14 The Challenger 300 Series Newsletter Collection (Part 3 of 3) Challenger 3500 (Credit: Bombardier) The Challenger 3500 and the Future of Super-Mid Jets A Challenger for a New Era By 2021, Bombardier faced a new reality. The Challenger 300 had created the super-mid category, and the Challenger 350 had dominated. But, the market had moved on. Buyers were no longer satisfied with...

Michael Barber is the man you call when you need deals closed, jets sold, and acquisitions perfected; period. As Managing Director & Vice President of Sales Operations at jetAVIVA, and one of fewer than 200 IADA Certified Brokers worldwide, Michael is a force in the business aviation industry. Since joining jetAVIVA in 2025, he has transformed the Challenger 300/350/3500 market into his personal runway; leading sales operations, mentoring the next generation of researchers, and representing clients with a fiduciary standard that sets the bar across the industry. Michael’s track record speaks for itself. He was Leviate Air Group’s Top Producer in 2023, built the back end of boutique consulting firms before that, and has closed transactions with clients on six of the seven continents. His career is a masterclass in international negotiation, strategy, and execution, earning him a reputation as both a market expert and a trusted advisor. But, Michael isn’t just about jets, he’s about risk, reward, and control. With more than 20 years in emergency services, he knows how to perform under pressure. From leading the largest ski patrol on the East Coast to a decorated career as a Firefighter/Medic, he has spent his life turning high-stakes situations into controlled victories. When he’s not closing deals or commanding the room, Michael lives in Charlottesville, Virginia, with his wife and their two children. On Sundays, you’ll find him at the polo fields or exploring Virginia’s wine country. But, make no mistake, his work and life are proof that success isn’t an accident. It’s the result of preparation, determination, and knowing when to take the shot.