• Build relationships with key regulatory bodies and industry stakeholders to support operational readiness • Lead FAA certification and regulatory approval processes, ensuring full compliance with federal aviation standards • Establish and maintain robust safety, compliance, and operational frameworks that meet or exceed regulatory requirements • Serve as the primary executive liaison with FAA regulators and other government agencies, ensuring alignment and responsiveness throughout all regulatory milestones • Set performance culture, decision-making cadence, and accountability standards from day one • Define organizational structure, roles, accountabilities, and reporting relationships to support regulatory approval and operational scale • Foster a high-trust, high-performance culture aligned with both safety excellence and brand aspirations • Recruit, hire, and lead the foundational executive team across operations, safety, compliance, maintenance, and finance functions • Develop scalable standard operating procedures (SOPs), governance structures, and systems to support future expansion • Oversee strategy, operational partnerships, vendor relationships, and readiness milestones • Define and execute the operational roadmap from planning through launch and early-stage growth • Balance service delivery with disciplined cost management and uncompromising safety standards • Ensure operational delivery consistently reflects the positioning and brand promise • Partner with key stakeholders to shape service standards, service philosophy, and customer experience standards • Position the business competitively within the travel market • Integrate service excellence into operational processes, training programs, and frontline accountability • Maintain transparency and accountability in all board and investor communications • Present operational progress, regulatory milestones, and financial performance to investors and stakeholders • Participate in fundraising efforts and represent the company's vision and capability to current and prospective investors • Serve as the senior executive interface with the Board of Directors, providing strategic updates and seeking guidance on key decisions