Rick Colson
Rick Colson is the Founder & CEO New Flight Charters, Co-Founder FlightList PRO, Founder FlightCast Media.
Rick is a "Practitioner-CEO" applying his 25-years in aviation; managing flights for a select handful of clients with New Flight Charters, developing the air charter sourcing platform FlightList PRO, and authoring aviation news and articles with FlightCast Media.
Substack https://substack.com/@rickonflight
https://newflightcharters.com/author/rick/
St. Louis has long served as a major center for American business and industry. Home to aerospace companies, healthcare organizations, financial institutions, manufacturing operations, and family-owned enterprises, the region supports a diverse group of executives and entrepreneurs who frequently rely on private aviation.
After more than 20 years serving private aviation clients nationwide, I have observed that experienced private flyers evaluate charter providers very differently than first-time charter customers. In St. Louis, where business efficiency and dependable transportation often drive travel decisions, reliability and operational expertise frequently become the most important considerations.
For experienced travelers, private aviation is not simply about convenience. It is about creating access, preserving valuable time, and ensuring that important travel plans proceed efficiently.
Reliability Is Often The Primary Consideration
Many St. Louis business leaders maintain demanding schedules involving customer meetings, facility visits, acquisitions, industry conferences, and investment opportunities throughout the country. When travel directly impacts business outcomes, reliability often becomes the most valuable attribute a charter provider can offer. Experienced private flyers frequently evaluate providers based on:- Aircraft availability
- Access to quality operators
- Strong safety standards
- Responsive communication
- Operational planning
Private Aviation Helps Maximize Productivity
Many executives choose private aviation because it allows them to make more efficient use of their time. Private aircraft can often provide direct access to destinations that would otherwise require lengthy commercial airline itineraries, connections, or overnight stays. For many St. Louis business travelers, private aviation becomes a productivity tool that supports growth, efficiency, and flexibility.Aircraft Access Supports Diverse Mission Requirements
St. Louis travelers often fly to destinations throughout North America for business meetings, facility inspections, customer visits, and personal travel. A regional trip to Chicago or Nashville may require a different aircraft solution than a flight to Los Angeles, Miami, New York, or an international destination. Experienced private flyers frequently focus on access to multiple aircraft categories rather than any single aircraft type. Aircraft selection may be influenced by:- Passenger count
- Flight distance
- Airport accessibility
- Baggage requirements
- Scheduling flexibility
- Mission objectives
St. Louis Benefits From Strong Business Aviation Infrastructure
The St. Louis region offers multiple airports capable of supporting private aviation operations. Facilities such as St. Louis Lambert International Airport, Spirit of St. Louis Airport, St. Louis Downtown Airport, and other regional airports provide flexibility for a wide range of travel requirements. Experienced charter providers understand how airport selection can improve convenience and reduce overall travel time. Choosing the most appropriate airport often contributes significantly to travel efficiency.Operational Expertise Matters
Many of the most important aspects of successful charter travel occur behind the scenes. Aircraft sourcing, operator evaluation, weather planning, airport logistics, crew coordination, maintenance oversight, and regulatory compliance all contribute to successful travel outcomes. As both a private pilot and aircraft owner, I have seen how operational expertise often determines whether a trip proceeds smoothly and efficiently. Experienced St. Louis travelers frequently value providers who understand these realities and focus on practical aviation solutions.Long-Term Relationships Build Trust
Many experienced private flyers prefer working with aviation professionals who understand their travel preferences and business priorities. Over time, these relationships often improve communication, simplify planning, and reduce booking friction. Trust develops through consistency, transparency, and successful outcomes across many trips. For many St. Louis executives and business owners, trust becomes one of the most important factors when selecting a charter provider.What Experienced St. Louis Flyers Look For
Although every traveler has unique priorities, experienced St. Louis private aviation clients often focus on:- Reliability
- Aircraft access
- Operational expertise
- Efficient scheduling
- Responsive communication
- Business travel flexibility
- Long-term trust