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Outside of flying for business, Talley also owns an Aviat Husky and Robinson R66.
a maintenance tracking software firm he founded based in Wichita, Kansas. The company’s roots are similar to that of JetFuelX – founded with the intentions to solve a problem. This time, Talley hoped to lessen the complexity and costs associated with maintenance tracking on aircraft, especially for Citation owner-operators.
Now needing to fly routinely halfway across the country from his home in Southern California to the “Air Capital,” Talley again needed to transition to a more capable aircraft. He had been extremely impressed with his Mustang through several years of ownership and considered it a great entry-level jet, and he looked
need to regularly fly to Albuquerque, New Mexico, from Southern California to attend BendixKing Board Member meetings. The six-seat light jet allowed him to easily fly back and forth between KSNA and KABQ a few times per month. The Mustang allowed him to fly more frequently and add more routine destinations. But a challenge that affected him and other twin and turbine operators quickly became apparent to the new jet owner.
“After purchasing the Mustang, I found that I needed a way to manage the various contract fuel cards I had,” said Talley. “With the range of the aircraft and flying further across the country, it was something that had to be done.”
He began to create a software, JetFuelX, that allowed pilots to easily see available fuel prices and seamlessly incorporate their desired choices into flight planning. The service made refueling business aircraft simpler.
“Aviation businesses are extremely fun, and my history has been trying to be disruptive within the industry,” he said.
Talley owned his Mustang from 2013 to 2017 before business began demanding his time at more locations. Primarily, this evolving mission resulted from SierraTrax,
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to remain in the Cessna family due to good experiences. As such, moving into another Citation was an attractive option. After considering other available light jets, Talley decided to purchase a Citation CJ2+ in 2017.
But shortly after he acquired the aircraft, an airline’s ground support equipment ran into the airplane while it was parked at Midway International Airport (KMDW). Now without an airworthy airplane, Talley had the option to consider again what he wanted to fly. But for a second time, he chose the CJ2+, this time a 2010 model.
Recounting his rationale for purchasing the aircraft, he said, “Of course the speed and range were factors, but I also liked the efficiency, modernness, and the comfort of having two engines. In addition, I was absolutely astonished by the performance in non-optimal conditions. I also liked that it had a hot wing versus the boots of some competing options.”
“It was very simple to make the transition from an avionics perspective,” he continued. “The Mustang had G1000 avionics and the CJ2+ has a G3000 suite, which required an STC to replace the Pro Line 21 avionics.” He also noted that the flight characteristics of his newest jet are “predictable and flying the aircraft is like driving a little sports car.”
Talley’s first Citation type rating was the 510 series, which he received after purchasing his Mustang in 2013. When recalling this initial type rating training in the aircraft, he noted that it was “singularly difficult and made me sweat more than the California Bar Exam.” But, he added that the checkout was quickly followed by sim school specific training on the model.
“The [sim school] is definitely an opportunity to explore flying with precision that all pilots of this type should have.” Talley aims to go to FlightSafety International (Wichita) twice a year in order to continue being a competent pilot. Often flying with colleagues and employees aboard the light jet, he stresses the importance of ensuring a professional level of safety, even as an owner-operator.