Waterford-based aviation consultant Pentastar Aviation recently announced the appointment of Robert J. Rufli as vice president of flight of operations and director of operations. Rufli will report to Greg Schmidt, president and CEO of Pentastar, and will serve as the 14 CFR 119 director of operations, responsible for the oversight of all flight operations activity, including the operations control center.
“I am pleased to announce that Robert J. Rufli has accepted the position of vice president of flight operations at Pentastar Aviation,” says Schmidt. “This position is critical in our quest to deliver world-class aviation services and his reputation for excellence in business aviation precedes him. Bob has a distinguished career, gaining incredible experience in general aviation operations of large and small business jets as well as corporate shuttle operations. We are excited to welcome him into the Pentastar family.”
With more than 35 years in the aviation industry, Rufli is experienced in FAA operational certification and certificate merger projects. His expertise also includes worldwide flight experience, startup and operations of corporate shuttles, 14 CFR Part 121 initial operational certification, FAA authorized 502 Merger of five Part 135 certificates, and implementation of cloud-based data management tools.
Prior to serving as president of landmark aviation, Rufli served as director of flight operations. For more than 22 years, he was executive director of flight operations at Aerodynamics Inc., and chief pilot at PDQ Air Service. He’s also served as a flight instructor at Northwestern Michigan College and Florida Institute of Technology.
Rufli earned his bachelor’s degree in air commerce from the Florida Institute of Technology and completed flight training in Gulfstream III, Hawker 800XP & 700, McDonald Douglas MD-80, and several other jets and airliners.
