Cirrus Aviation Services

Big-picture snapshot

Cirrus Aviation Services is a Part 135 charter operator and aircraft management company based at the Atlantic Aviation terminal at Harry Reid International Airport (KLAS) in Las Vegas, Nevada. The company is the largest private jet charter operator in Nevada and one of the ten largest charter companies in the United States. Cirrus operates a fleet of approximately 25 aircraft spanning light jets (HondaJet Elite S) through ultra-long-range platforms (Global Express XRS, Gulfstream G550), from three bases in Las Vegas, Van Nuys (CA), and Nashville (TN), with additional bases expected in California and Florida. Cirrus employs 53 active pilots (0 furloughed, per APC) and approximately 71 total employees. The company is non-union and family-owned. Greg Woods serves as CEO/President, Mark Woods as Director of Operations, and Ron McCulloch as Chief Pilot.

For interview purposes, the simplest way to frame Cirrus is this: it is the dominant Part 135 charter operator in the Las Vegas market — a city with outsized demand for private aviation — that has grown from a single aircraft in 2009 to a Top 10 US charter company with a diverse fleet of 25 aircraft across 10+ types. Cirrus has an APC listing with published pay scales. First Officer Year 1 pay starts at $54,000 with Captain pay ranging from $90,000 (Beechcraft Premier Year 1) to $201,600 (Challenger 604 Year 15), and Glassdoor reports a total compensation range of $110,000-$204,000. The company covers 100% of medical, dental, and vision for pilots, offers a 100% 401(k) match up to 4% of total compensation, and provides a $2,500 combined hiring and retention incentive. Captain minimums are 3,000 total time / 1,500 PIC / 500 type-specific; FO minimums are 1,000 total time / 500 PIC.

Company history

• 2009: Founded with a single aircraft, leveraging the Las Vegas market's strong demand for private aviation
• 2009-2020s: Rapid growth from one aircraft to approximately 25, becoming the largest private jet charter operator in Nevada
• Recent years: Achieved Top 10 status among US charter companies; expanded to Van Nuys (CA) and Nashville (TN) bases
• Recent: Retired 3 aircraft types from certificate (CJ3, Challenger 605, HondaJet) — streamlining fleet. Launched Pilot Development Programme (PDP). Planning additional bases in California and Florida.

Business model

Cirrus Aviation Services operates a charter and aircraft management model:

• Part 135 charter: On-demand charter flights serving Las Vegas and beyond. Las Vegas is one of the highest-demand private aviation markets in the United States, driven by entertainment, conventions, gaming, and corporate travel.
• Aircraft management: Managing privately owned aircraft for individual and corporate owners — this feeds the charter fleet and generates management fees.
• Family-owned operation: Greg Woods (CEO/President) and Mark Woods (Director of Operations) maintain family ownership and leadership, enabling long-term strategic thinking without public market pressures.
• Pilot Development Programme (PDP): A structured program for developing pilots internally, promoting from within the organization.
• Market position: Largest private jet charter in Nevada. One of the 10 largest charter companies in the United States.

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