Even in a place where the sun shines all year long, spring has always been a time of renewal. Never has that been more true than it is today. After a year of restrictions and having our lives turned upside down, things are finally getting back to normal. People are traveling again. The flight schools are packed. And we’re all getting back to the business (and the fun) of flying.

In recognition of the momentum clearly moving in the right direction, a number of OEMs have begun offering or extending some great promotions on everything from full panel upgrades to the latest in WiFi. From where we sit, there’s never been a better time to fly, and there’s never been a better time to buy.

So, if there’s an upgrade you’ve been considering while the world was on hold, reach out for some great advice on the latest offerings. And most importantly, get ready to enjoy what’s shaping up to be an amazing season of flying.

Saying Goodbye to Local Adventurer Chris Welsh

This month, we lost one of the last true adventurers, Chris Welsh. Born and raised in Newport Beach, Chris passed away unexpectedly at the age of 58. For those who didn’t know Chris, he had a passion for everything from submarines to sailboats to airplanes. He helped build underwater vehicles that explored the ocean floor, won international races on his sailboat, and was both an airplane and a helicopter pilot licensed to fly five different aircraft. Chris recently completed a full panel upgrade on a Citation 500 and was only one hour away from his certification to fly the airplane when he passed away. In true homage to his adventurous spirit, Chris’ wife Tina, who is also a private pilot, plans to get her certifications updated so she can fly the plane herself. We can’t wait to celebrate that achievement with you, Tina!

While many knew Chris as an adventurer, we also know him as both a customer and as a personal friend. Chris always had a smile on his face and a great story to tell. You can tell a lot about a person from the family and friends that surround him, and with 18 boats memorializing his life with a burial at sea, punctuated with an OV10 flyby, Chris was special indeed.

He was truly an inspiration to us all, and we thank him for all the memories and all the great stories we have to share. He will be deeply missed.