Name

Pentastar Aviation

Legal name

Pentastar Aviation, LLC

Website

https://pentastaraviation.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1964

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

501–1,000 employees

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Private Aviation Services

NAICS

Airport Operations (48811), Nonscheduled Chartered Passenger Air Transportation (481211), Other Nonscheduled Air Transportation (481219)

SIC

Airports, Flying Fields & Airport Terminal Services (4581), Aircraft Parts & Auxiliary Equipment, Nec (3728)

akta.pro primary industry

Private Aviation Terminals & FBO Services (THABAFAH)

akta.pro secondary industries

Aircraft Management & Part 135/135-equivalent Operators (THABAFAD), General Aviation (FBO) & Private Jet Security Services (BPAKAMAK)

Keywords

• Private aviation services
• Aircraft management
• FBO services
• Business aviation MRO
• Private jet charter

Headquarters

HQ city

Waterford

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Supply Chain, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Private Charter Services: Private jet charter services operating a diverse, young fleet of aircraft including light jets, midsize, super midsize, large, and ultra long-range aircraft. Revenue generated through hourly charter rates ranging from approximately $1,200 to $8,500 per flight hour, with trip minimums of 2.0 flight hours per day. Air charter provided by Pentastar Aviation Charter, Inc. (PACI), a U.S. FAR Part 135 on-demand Direct Air Carrier.
2. Aircraft Management: Full aircraft management services providing advantages of personal in-house flight department without responsibility or overhead. Includes Part 91 (private use) and Part 135 (charter management) programs. Revenue generated through management fees, with cost efficiencies through scale and buying power on fuel, maintenance, insurance, parts, and vendor services.
3. FBO Services: Fixed Base Operator services at Oakland County International Airport including flight planning, ramp-side vehicle valet, aircraft maintenance and detailing, customer service, Fivestar Gourmet catering, heated hangars (approximately 130,000 sq. ft.), and fuel services (Jet-A and 100LL). Revenue generated through handling fees based on aircraft type and fuel uplift minimums.
4. MRO Services: Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul services including routine inspections, major repairs, alterations, technical evaluations, conformity inspections, avionics, and interior services. FAA Approved Repair Station Certification BTVR 626C. Revenue through maintenance service quotes and workscopes, with MRO Loyalty Program offering rewards.
5. Aviation Advisory Services: Consulting services for aircraft sale/acquisition, aircraft modifications, upgrades and refurbishments, valuation estimates, operational and maintenance budget projections, management program evaluation, and connections to financiers and aviation legal/tax experts. Staff includes PAAO Senior Certified Aircraft Appraiser.
6. Fivestar Gourmet Catering: High-end in-house catering services offering breakfast, lunch, and dinner for pilots, guests, and aircraft of any size. Delivery available to PTK, FNT, DTW, DET, and YIP airports.
7. Connectivity Solutions: Avionics installation and certification services for in-flight connectivity including Starlink, Gogo Galileo HDX, Gogo LX5, and other systems. Revenue through hardware installation, STC certification, and ongoing service plans.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Pentastar Aviation is a premier private aviation services provider operating from Oakland County International Airport (KPTK) in Waterford, Michigan. It delivers an integrated suite of services including private jet charter via its FAR Part 135 subsidiary (PACI), full-service aircraft management (Part 91 and Part 135), FAA Part 145 maintenance, repair and overhaul, award-winning fixed base operator (FBO) ground handling, aviation advisory, in-flight connectivity installations, and in-house Fivestar Gourmet catering.

Product overview

Pentastar Aviation is a premier private aviation services provider offering an integrated platform of complementary services. The core offerings include: FBO Services (award-winning Fixed Base Operations at Oakland County International Airport), Private Charter (FAR Part 135 charter via PACI subsidiary), Aircraft Management (Part 91 and Part 135 programs), MRO Services (FAA-approved repair station with airframe, avionics, and interior capabilities), Aviation Advisory (consulting for acquisition, sale, and management), and Fivestar Gourmet (in-house catering). The company also offers connectivity solutions as an authorized dealer of Starlink and Gogo systems. Services are integrated through the MY BIRD management platform and share common facilities including 130,000 sq. ft. of hangars and executive terminal space.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Fivestar Gourmet: In-house catering service offering breakfast, lunch, and dinner for pilots, guests and aircraft of any size. Delivery available to PTK, FNT, DTW, DET, and YIP.
• Pentastar Aviation Charter, Inc. (PACI)
• MY BIRD

Products and services

• Fixed Base Operator (FBO) Services
• Private Charter

Quantifiable outcome

• AIN FBO Survey score of 4.83/5.0 for 2026, matching previous year's top rating
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration6 records

Feature9 records

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Aviation SecurecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 7 February 2025Pentastar partnered with Aviation Secure, business aviation's premier security training provider, to expand crewmember training curriculum with specialized security training covering passenger security, personal protection, aircraft access control, ground transportation safety, and hotel security. Aviation Secure is an NBAA Professional Development Program-approved training provider.
• Gogo Business AviationcoreTechnology or Integration · 28 May 2024Pentastar is a Gogo-authorized dealer and STC development partner for Gogo Galileo HDX and LX5 connectivity systems. The partnership involves developing Supplemental Type Certificates for Gulfstream aircraft and providing installation, certification, and ongoing support services for Gogo connectivity solutions across North America and globally.
• Starlink (SpaceX)coreTechnology or Integration · 28 May 2024Pentastar is an authorized dealer of Starlink's high-speed, low-latency in-flight internet. The partnership includes professional installation services, hardware configuration, and ongoing support for Starlink Aviation connectivity systems delivering up to 220 Mbps globally.
• Portside (MY BIRD Platform)coreTechnology or Integration · 4 February 2024Pentastar uses MY BIRD, powered by Portside, as its integrated aircraft management platform providing real-time trip data, schedules, maintenance updates, and financials accessible across devices for managed aircraft owners and flight crews.
• Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPentastar is an authorized gateway FBO for access to Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA), enabling premium ground handling services at this restricted-access airport.
• Corporate Aircraft Association (CAA)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPentastar is a preferred FBO provider for the Corporate Aircraft Association, a membership organization for corporate aircraft operators.
• International Aircraft Dealers Association (IADA)minorOthersPentastar is a long-standing member of the International Aircraft Dealers Association, focused on promoting growth and public understanding of aircraft resale while safeguarding aviation investments.
• Professional Aircraft Appraisal Organization (PAAO)minorOthersPentastar employs a PAAO Senior Certified Aircraft Appraiser as part of its aviation advisory team. PAAO serves the aviation community with unbiased, trained aircraft professionals providing credible, reliable aircraft appraisal reports.
• Partners in AviationminorOthersPartners in Aviation matches prospective aircraft owners with low to medium usage requirements in common geographical areas for joint ownership and cost sharing of new or late-model aircraft, providing a cost-effective solution to aircraft ownership.
• Fireside PartnersminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPentastar partners with Fireside Partners for realistic scenario-based emergency training exercises followed by in-depth debriefs to reinforce learning and decision-making for flight crews.
• Flight Safety InternationalminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPentastar pilots undergo ground school and simulator training every six months conducted by Flight Safety International, as well as emergency, international, and company-specific training annually. Cabin attendants also receive training through Flight Safety International.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves11 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Signature Flight Support: The world's largest fixed base operator network with hundreds of locations globally. Comparable to Pentastar's FBO business and a primary competitor in premium handling/fuel services, though significantly broader in geographic reach and corporate scale.
• VistaJet: Global private aviation company operating a fleet of business jets with program, membership and charter offerings. Comparable to Pentastar's international charter service (80+ countries) at much larger scale.
• Jet Aviation: Global business aviation services company offering FBOs, MRO, aircraft management and charter. Comparable to Pentastar across nearly all service lines, with much broader geographic and fleet scale.
• NetJets: Largest private aviation company offering fractional ownership, jet cards and managed aircraft. Comparable to Pentastar's charter and management revenue lines with a substantially larger fleet and broader service portfolio.
• Atlantic Aviation: Large U.S. FBO network operating more than 100 fixed base operators nationwide. Directly comparable to Pentastar's FBO and ground handling offering at scale, with overlapping high-net-worth and corporate flight-department customer base.

Direct peers

• TAG (The Aviation Group): Independent business aviation services provider offering aircraft management, charter and FBO services. Closely comparable to Pentastar's integrated service model with similar HNW and corporate clientele.
• Universal Aviation: Ground handling and FBO services company with a global network focused on international trip support. Closely comparable to Pentastar's FBO and international charter support capabilities for operators flying overseas.
• Duncan Aviation: Independent business aviation MRO, avionics and completions provider with multiple U.S. facilities. Closely comparable to Pentastar's Part 145 maintenance, avionics/STC development and interior services business.
• Flexjet: Provider of fractional jet ownership, jet card and aircraft management services. Comparable to Pentastar's aircraft management and charter offering with overlapping premium customer base, though fractional-ownership-led versus Pentastar's full-service platform.
• Million Air: Independent FBO chain with a comparable mix of fuel, handling, hangarage and charter services. Closest like-for-like peer to Pentastar's boutique premium FBO positioning.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/pentastarav
• Facebookfacebook.com/pentastaraviation
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/pentastar-aviation

Compliance8 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Subsidiaries2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A1 record

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Pentastar Aviation