jetAVIVA acquires Kansas Aircraft Corp.

Austin, Texas-based jetAVIVA has signed to acquire Kansas Aircraft Corp., which is based at the New Century AirCenter Airport in Gardner, Kansas. Since its founding 10 years ago, jetAVIVA has been well-known for its strength in the owner-flown light jet market, both selling aircraft and providing mentoring services for its customers. Kansas Aircraft Corp., with its fundamental strength in the piston and turboprop market, makes a strong complementary element in the agreement.

Together, the two companies sold over 120 aircraft in the past year alone. For Kansas Aircraft Corp., the acquisition will mean a shift in focus as it expands its business to include more turbine sales. Kansas Aircraft Corp. CEO Tim White has been named a managing partner in jetAVIVA. White’s background includes service as senior vice president for sales for the Americas at the Cessna Aircraft Corp. In that capacity he managed sales of all new and pre-owned Citation, Caravan, and single-engine airplanes for North, Central, and South America. He was also a senior sales executive at Bombardier Aerospace, where he sold Global, Challenger, and Learjet business jets.

Kansas Aircraft Corp.’s Dianne White has been named jetAVIVA’s vice president of customer experience. A former vice president of corporate communications for Cessna, White will be in charge of developing innovative customer relationship strategies aimed at enhancing the aircraft ownership experience. Currently, jetAVIVA and Kansas Aircraft Corp. have a client base of 2,000 people in more than 40 nations. “We’re going to be all about the relationship, not the transaction,” White said. “With the emphasis on doing the right thing, keeping our word, and having fun while we do all that.”

She added that the new company will be looking into training solutions as well as expanding mentoring services for what has suddenly become a potent force in the owner-flown market.