Love, Guac and JET-A

Monty Moran recognized the importance of others’ contributions and how their skills fit into the big picture from a young age. This talent was honed during his tenure as the co-Chief Executive Officer of Chipotle Mexican Grill. During Moran’s 12 years at the helm of the fast-casual restaurant, the company grew from a handful of restaurants to almost 2,500 restaurants and nearly 75,000 employees.

After stepping away from the company’s operations in December 2016, Moran opted to pursue a longstanding dream. “I had always wanted to be a pilot, but a kid on the playground during elementary school said it wouldn’t be possible because I was too tall. The internet didn’t exist back then, so there was no easy way for me to fact check what he said, so I dropped it.”

But, nearly 40 years later, flying was finally something that Monty could pursue – and no one was going to tell him it wasn’t possible this time. “After 23 years of being a CEO, both at Chipotle and a law firm [Messner Reeves LLP in Denver], I finally had the time to learn to fly. It was the first thing I did once I retired.”

“So, I called Journeys Aviation at KBDU [Boulder Municipal Airport] and said I wanted to learn how to fly. They said ‘of course’ and asked how quickly I wanted to start.” Now with the time to dedicate to his lifelong interest in aviation, Moran eagerly replied, “Is there availability this afternoon?”

The next day, he completed an inaugural lesson in a Cessna 172. He soared through initial training, and five months after his first lesson, Moran received his Private Pilot Certificate. The milestone was only the first step in his aviation obsession. The newly minted pilot’s next question was, What plane will best fit my mission, and where do I go from here?

His first aircraft search led him to a 1991 Beechcraft Bonanza A36. Moran says, “It was a cream puff, an absolutely beautiful airplane with new propeller and avionics.” Moran also noted what made it really special was that this A36 was the exact plane that had previously belonged to his good friend, Kyle Deaton. Deaton initially re-sparked Moran’s interest in flying after giving him a ride in the same plane years before.

Moran immediately began working towards an Instrument Rating after acquiring the Bonanza in 2017. The training was instrumental in his continued aviation journey, providing him flexibility in weather and the ability to tackle Class A airspace. Another integral component was an early introduction and emphasis on crosswind landings. Having lived in the North Central Colorado area for most of his life, Moran was no stranger to its volatile weather. “With high altitudes, temperature variations, strong wind, thunderstorms, and other challenges, overall, Boulder is generally a hard place to land.”

Moran’s instrument checkride tested both his newly acquired knowledge as a pilot as well as his high-Colorado landing skills. “My autopilot failed during my checkride. After confirming with the examiner that I could still finish, I hand flew the remainder of the flight. It was extremely turbulent, and we were bumping around like crazy. On the final landing, I was crabbing sideways and landed on one wheel. To which the examiner said, ‘Now that’s a crosswind landing!’”
After several hours of tough flying that resulted in a new ticket, Moran was tired but excited. The excitement soon translated to the next chapter in his logbook.

Since retiring from the corporate world, Moran not only pursued flying but sought the answer to a more esoteric question: How can I best demonstrate how people from varying backgrounds are united in their common struggle to find meaning and purpose? The personal quest now serves as the basis for the documentary series Moran produces and stars in called “CONNECTED: A Search for Unity.” The show, now in its second season, runs on PBS stations across the country. In addition to showcasing people with unique insights, the docuseries is largely enabled by Moran’s use of private aviation.

His chariot of choice to filming locations is a TBM 910 that he has now owned for four years. On top of noting that the plane has been able to get into all types of airports needed for filming needs, Moran has a lot of praise for the aircraft.

“I have about 800 hours in the TBM 910. It climbs fast, cruises smooth, has a great onboard weather radar, as well as a great autopilot that has never clicked off for me, even in the heaviest turbulence.” He added, “Also, it climbs faster than a lot of jets. Sometimes, you can tell that ATC is surprised that I’m already at their assigned altitude.”

This time, his purchasing decision was largely driven by safety. He didn’t feel comfortable moving into another airplane that wasn’t a twin or turbine primarily to the fact that he routinely flies over mountainous terrain. While potentially a unique rationale for an upgrade compared to other turboprop operators, he has nonetheless enjoyed the improved safety margins, speed, and range that the TBM has afforded.

Moran initially considered a turbine-converted Bonanza for sale when his friend Deaton asked the owner to bring it to Colorado for a test flight. But after flying it, he soon saw another airplane land at the airport that caught his eye. It was a TBM 850. After taking a closer look, he started dreaming. “I really couldn’t get my mind off it. I had a new obsession. That night I started looking online for one and then started to talk with sales representatives.”

The conversations went well for Moran, leading him to the 2018 TBM 910. He was initially concerned about being a lower-time pilot with no turboprop time, but with the help of professionals, they outlined a path forward – with 100 hours of transition time with a mentor pilot included with the new purchase. The airplane was brought to Colorado for him to see.

If the Turbine Bonanza was a head-turner on the ramp, the French-made single-engine turboprop was a showstopper. Shining in the high Rocky Mountain sun, the aircraft taxied across the ramp and rolled into Moran’s view. No sooner had the propeller stopped spinning did the ex-CEO, now passionate aviator, begin intently walking towards the new arrival. As Moran requested to peek inside, the exiting pilot struck up a conversation with him. Terry Winson, as he introduced himself, was the President of Avex, the TBM distributor in the Southwestern United States.

Knowing that Moran was in the market for a new plane, Winson thought he would turbocharge the sales process and craft an impromptu meeting. He offered a test flight that day, but Moran, unfortunately, couldn’t accept. “I have to go and pick my daughter up to make a commercial flight to California to go to Disneyland.” But as one may guess, the airline trip was canceled in favor of left seat time in the six-seater. After belting his daughter in the back, and with the very experienced Terry Winson in the right seat, off they went. No sooner had they landed at Santa Monica Municipal Airport (KSMO) when Moran proclaimed, “I’ll take it!”

Since that two-and-a-half-hour flight, the aircraft has been an integral part of Moran’s life. This has been true whether for personal travel or in support of his humanitarian efforts. Today, he flies the TBM to a variety of locations within the contiguous United States. Most often these flights are with Moran as the sole occupant, occasionally a few passengers. And just as he sought to grow as a leader in his previous roles, he is consistently working to better himself as a pilot.

Drawing a flying parallel from his own definition of “leadership” detailed in the self-written memoir “Love Is Free. Guac Is Extra,” a pilot is someone who is a leader of their airplane. They work to understand its quirks, limitations, and potential to reach their desired outcome, guiding it down a mutually beneficial path of success.