Bad companies are destroyed by crisis. Good companies survive them. Great companies are improved by them.
My mind's buzzing with gratitude and exhaustion. Reflecting on the last two months, I'm taking a deep breath. We went through something big — and came out on top.
August 30th was a milestone: we nailed our first in-house 100-hour inspection — right at our Falcon Field hangar.
This wasn't just a routine check; it was a game-changer. For over a year and a half, our multiengine operations relied on a dedicated maintenance hangar in Prescott, Arizona. Operating from Mesa meant ferrying aircraft back and forth and driving endless hours between Falcon Field and Prescott — a logistical nightmare and the opposite of efficiency, a word I live by.
Don't get me wrong: Prescott brought incredible times, lessons learned, happy highs, and tough lows that made us stronger. But now, having our own setup at Falcon Field feels like stepping into the future. This 100-hour inspection marked the start of doing things our way, on our turf, and it's exhilarating.
What makes it even more special? Our rockstar IA Dan, just returned from Continental training a week before. Fresh off acing his knowledge test with a perfect 100%, he dove straight in and led his first 100-hour inspection on one of our DA42s with Continental engines. Talk about putting skills to the test! And get this — we crushed the entire inspection in one day. It was a marathon, with long hours, but the kind that leave you fulfilled, not drained.
This milestone isn't just about ticking a box; it's proof we're leveling up. We thrive on new challenges and getting better at what we do. I'm always hyped to brag about my team, and this is why: they're builders through and through. As Warren Buffett said, "The real luxury in life is doing what you love every day with the people you love." What a privilege to be this tired from work we once prayed for. What a privilege to push through exhaustion because the mission matters. What a privilege to build alongside folks who don't clock out when the weekend hits or when fatigue sets in — they stay until the job's done, sharing that same relentless mindset.
Shoutout to the entire Thompson Airmotive team for your efficiency, grit, and heart. You make this possible. Here's to more milestones, more growth, and more days worth every ounce of sweat.
Carol Schulz
Co-founder · Flight Stars