Dan Drohan, founder of Solairus Aviation, a leader in managing and operating private aircraft, is set to receive the “Kenn Ricci Lifetime Aviation Entrepreneur Award” at the 20th Annual Living Legends of Aviation Awards at the Beverly Hilton today.
The Living Legends of Aviation was created to honor accomplishments in aviation. Past Lifetime Aviation Entrepreneur Award winners include Sir Richard Branson, Founder and President of Virgin Group and Jeff Bezos Founder and CEO of Amazon and Founder of space exploration company, Blue Origin.
Aviation has been a constant thread throughout Dan’s life. As a pre-teen, Dan worked line-service and office duties at a small Northern California airport. By age 17 he had attained his private pilot certificate and by age 19 he had launched Sunset Aviation, an air tour company operating flights over Wine Country and the San Francisco Bay Area in a Beechcraft Baron. Sunset grew over the next 15 years into a robust regional Part 135 operator, eventually operating a small fleet of jet and turboprop aircraft from a network of bases throughout California.
In 2009, Dan launched Solairus Aviation with a team of talented and renowned aviation leaders. Fourteen years later, Solairus today manages and operates one of the world’s largest fleets of business jets, supported by one of the most experienced and well-regarded teams in the industry.
“I am profoundly honored by this recognition,” Drohan said. “This recognition is as much about Solairus and what we have accomplished as a team as it is about any individual. I am incredibly proud of every member of Solairus and the important role they have played in building and sustaining our company over the last 14 years,” Drohan said.
About the Living Legends of Aviation.
The Living Legends of Aviation are admirable people of remarkable accomplishment in aviation including entrepreneurs, innovators, industry leaders, record-breakers, astronauts and pilots who have become celebrities and celebrities who have become pilots. The legends meet yearly to recognize and honor individuals who have made significant contributions in aviation.
About Solairus Aviation:
Solairus is a US-based private aviation services company whose core business is assisting aircraft owners with the safe, reliable, and efficient management and operation of their aircraft. Our services are customized to meet the client’s individual travel and financial requirements, and to support their flight operation with the highest standards of safety and personalized service, regardless of the location of the aircraft.
Solairus was founded in 2009 and is headquartered in the San Francisco Bay Area. Solairus has over 70 base locations nationwide, employing more than 2,000 flight crew and support personnel to operate a fleet currently numbering over 300 aircraft. Solairus is an Aviation Research Group/US Platinum-Rated and Wyvern Wingman certified charter operator. Solairus has also received the NBAA Commercial Business Flying Safety Award and is an IS-BAO Stage Three certified company. Solairus offers a full range of services in addition to aircraft management, which includes aircraft charter sales, aviation support services, and consulting.