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“It’s been a really positive experience so far, and I see the engagement with viewers growing,” said Medine. “Aviation is an international passion, and it’s great to reaffirm that through the online engagement. I hope I leave viewers with the impression that I am a conscientious pilot that enjoys helping others.”
Roughly 50 percent of Don’s flying is for volunteer pilot organizations, while 40 percent goes toward personal and destination flying. The remainder is typically flights for friends or folks interested in the Vision Jet and its operations. An enthusiastic aviator, Don’s excitement for flying and his aircraft is infectious. On top of spreading the work conducted by volunteer organizations, his YouTube viewers can learn a lot about the Cirrus Vision jet, whether it is visual approach procedures, a washing and waxing demonstration, or panel shots during flights.
Don currently divides his time between these philanthropic endeavors and business consulting services in the form of corporate optimization, talent development, product design and leadership practices. He also consults aviation businesses and aircraft owners in areas like aircraft selection, shared ownership options, and partnership referrals for accounting, legal, financing, brokering, management, training and maintenance.
Though formally involved in aviation for just seven years, Don quickly ascended to turbine ownership from his first training flight. During primary flight training, he flew Cessna 172s along with 182s for Civil Air Patrol operations. Shortly after obtaining his private license, he purchased a used Cirrus SR22 G5, which he flew for about 18 months. Next, he bought a new Cirrus SR22 G6 for about a year and a half until he started looking for an aircraft with an extended range. Currently, he owns a 2018 Cirrus Vision Jet and operates out of KMQY in Smyrna, Tennessee.
“I had been a Daher TBM fan for almost a decade and had a feeling I may eventually move in that direction. I also considered other airplanes like the Piper Meridian, Eclipse Jet and the Citation Mustang. I probably had 30 turboprops and light jets under evaluation before purchasing the Cirrus Vision Jet.”
Prior to purchasing the jet, Medine flew it with his wife and aircraft broker Mark Egan with Lone Mountain Aircraft. At the time, he was a 1,100-hour pilot that “started flying later than most people.” He found that the SF50 was a great transition from the SR22s he had owned for several years. The need for a type rating in the Vision Jet was also a welcomed challenge.
“I found the SF50 fit my mission well and has predictable operating and maintenance costs. It would allow me to fly even longer volunteer flights and be great for our trips between our homes in the Nashville area and New Hampshire. I soon realized it allowed me to visit relatives in Texas, Florida and South Carolina much more frequently than I imagined. It also opened
Owner-pilot Don Medine and family.
A trip for Patient Airlift Services.
Service pups go for a flight.
June 2021 / TWIN & TURBINE • 25