We created Flight Dept Solutions in 2012 after identifying a need in the marketplace for a comprehensive source of honest, objective advice in regard to the acquisition, operation, and use of a business aircraft.
Each member of our Team has over 25 years of hands-on experience in purchasing aircraft, managing aircraft, and running flight departments. As a result, we are able to provide knowledgeable advice in all areas of business aviation.
Our breadth of experience, our comprehensive expertise, and our honesty and integrity set us apart from other business aviation advisory firms. Please contact us for a free consultation.
meet the team
Dave Weil
CEO and Founder
Dave’s strengths are all aspects of aircraft management, as well as aircraft charter and an overall knowledge of business aviation. He served in senior executive positions with prominent aviation companies for over 20 years, including 17 years as Executive VP and CFO for TAG Aviation. While at TAG, he was the executive in charge of numerous client accounts, served as the first President of TAG’s charter affiliate, spearheaded TAG’s expansion into Asia, and assisted numerous clients in the acquisition, startup, staffing, and operation of their business aircraft throughout the U.S. and Asia. Dave holds an MBA from UCLA, and is a past Chairman of the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) Tax Committee. Previously, Dave was on the board of TAG Aviation Europe and served on the boards of CitationShares (a fractional ownership joint venture between Cessna Aircraft Company and TAG Aviation), and Japan Aviation Services (a Japanese aviation services company).
John Cosenza
John’s strengths are aircraft acquisitions, management company oversight, flight department creation and oversight, and security. (He is also the Managing Partner for BizJet Security LLC, where his work focuses on aviation security.) He has managed numerous aircraft transactions for corporate and individual owners, involving all types of new and pre-owned aircraft. John previously had a successful 30-year career at Citigroup where was Executive VP and Managing Director of Corporate Services. In this capacity, he was responsible for developing and managing Citiflight, Citigroup’s Business Aviation unit. John was also VP for Global Security and Business Aviation at Siebel Systems. He is a past member of the NBAA Security Council.
Alan Goldstein
Alan’s strengths are aircraft acquisitions, conducting financial oversight and reviews of management companies and flight departments, as well as aviation tax and accounting matters (especially the complex area of personal use of aircraft). He brings more than 30 years of experience both overseeing an outside management company and then forming and managing an in-house flight department for Citiflight, where he served as the CFO. While at Citiflight, he managed their aircraft acquisitions and sales involving over 60 aircraft. In addition to being a CPA, he holds an MBA degree in Taxation and is a past Chairman of the NBAA Tax Committee.
Chris Purkey
Chris’ strengths are aircraft operations, flight department management and aircraft transactions. He is the Managing Partner of ClarityAviation LLC, a boutique aviation advisory and management firm, acquiring and managing multiple aircraft for private family offices. He also actively flies both Gulfstream and Bombardier aircraft. In addition, he is a Captain and Check Airman for a major US airline. Previously, he held a 3-year membership on the Gulfstream Customer Advisory Board and maintains membership in numerous aviation and financial organizations.
James Moore
Jim’ strengths are in aircraft operations. He began his aviation career as a military aviator and instructor pilot. He has over 40 years’ experience in Corporate Aviation, and holds multiple ATP type ratings in Fixed Wing and Rotary Wing Aircraft. He has managed many aircraft acquisition engagements, including development and/or expansion of flight departments. He has extensive experience in domestic and international aircraft operations and was Aviation Manager and Chief Pilot for a Fortune 50 multinational corporation for many years. Jim has also served as an Airport Manager, and is a former FAA Designated Examiner.
Charlie Beaton
Charlie’s strengths are all aspects of aircraft maintenance and oversight of aircraft transactions. He has more than 40 years of experience in these areas. His career includes maintenance oversight of a wide variety of aircraft, ranging from helicopters and small jets, to large business jets and commercial aircraft. He has managed the evaluations, pre-purchase inspections, acquisitions, conversions, outfittings, refurbishments, heavy maintenance events, Part 135 conformities and sales of numerous types of aircraft. He has conducted more than thirty-five safety and airworthiness audits of FAR Part 135 and Part 91 aircraft operations.
Cheryl Cosenza
Cheryl engages in business development for Flight Department Solutions and serves as our Celebrity Spokesperson. She is based in Los Angeles and New York, with a focus on the entertainment industry. She is a model and actress who has been in films, on TV, and in commercials. She is an active member of both NBAA and SAG-AFTRA (Screen Actors Guild). She holds a Masters’s Degree in Business Administration and a law degree from Fordham Law School.
The FDS Network
The FDS Team has developed many strong relationships within the business aviation community over the years. Our extensive network of aviation professionals allows us to call upon, on as needed basis, any specialized expertise we need for a specific project.
