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becoming a pilot. “When building Zoës, I knew that driving would not let me grow it as quickly as I would hope. I knew flying would be the best option. And at the pace of life that I go, flying is a good fit.”
Cassimus initially learned to fly in a 1980 Cessna 172 and then purchased a new Cirrus SR22 in 2004 after receiving his Private Pilot Certificate. He flew the aircraft 400 hours in the first year then traded it in for a new 2005 SR22. He put 700 hours on the plane in the following 24 months. “The SR22 was the perfect beginner instrument airplane with a glass cockpit and a solid autopilot. I cut my teeth on instrument flying and always flew around 180 knots.”
With these aircraft, he continued
examining new cities for potential
restaurant locations plus helped run
those with existing operations. After
playing the restaurant field for a decade, From carrying bikes and hunting gear to friends and family, the PC-12 is a hauler. Cassimus saw the opportunity to hand
the business to its next owner. While he remained on the team to ensure a successful transition, he concurrently considered his next steps which included moving into a new Piper Meridian in 2008.
Turboprop and pressurized operations in the PA-46 were a big step in terms of range, speed and payload. But Cassimus still had eyes downfield towards the end zone. “The dream my whole aviation life was to have a Pilatus PC-12,” he said. “I do a lot of hunting and cycling, so it is a great aircraft for my mission.”
That dream became a reality in 2014, the same year that the restaurant he had cultivated was listed on the New York Stock Exchange.
“I was able to design it and get it exactly the way that I wanted,” said Cassimus. “Instead of picking a Pilatus design theme, I designed the paint and interior to fit my personality. And I still think it is the best-looking PC-12 ever built.”
Even with N33ZB’s hand-selected visual appeal, it’s the PC-12’s payload that best showcases Cassimus’ personal and professional identities. Regarding his current mission profile, he said, “From a personal standpoint, I always fly with lots of gear. Whether it’s a couple of bikes with me to ride wherever I go, or game (can fit a whole elk) and other gear when coming back from a hunt.” He noted that his bird, serial number 1476, has six executive seats, as well as two commuter seats.
Now with seven years of Pilatus operations under his belt, Cassimus noted, “For me, it’s the perfect airplane and just once I considered moving up. I think that every pilot would love to grow in speed and range and jump into a jet and go 400 knots but, with how I use it, I haven’t been able to find a jet that can do what I can do in my PC-12.”
John with his mother, Zoë, and father at a University of Alabama football game.
Cassimus recalled a recent trip with five friends, all with their hunting gear, in a chartered super midsize jet. They found themselves wishing they were in the single-engine turboprop instead. The ability to go faster and higher in this scenario didn’t outweigh the inflexibility of storage space on the airplane and runway limitations.
March 2022 / TWIN & TURBINE • 27