This year marks 20 years since Advanced Air first took flight. What began in 2005 as a humble charter operation with one aircraft and two team members growing into a respected airline and charter company with a unique footprint across the Western U.S. The story behind that growth isn’t just about business – it’s about people, relationships, and a shared belief in doing things differently.

Credit: Levi Stockton (Photo by Heather Leven)

From a Young Pilot’s Vision

Levi Stockton was 22 years old when he pitched an idea to the group he was flying for: start a transparent, customer-first charter company. “I basically told them, do it with me or I resign,” he recalls. “They said yes – and that’s how Advanced Air was born.”

The original plan was modest: manage planes for owners and charter them when not in use. At the time, there were no intentions of owning aircraft, let alone building an airline. But aviation, like life, is full of unexpected turns.

An Early Bond Forged in the Skies

Donny Sandusky, now Executive Vice President, met Levi long before Advanced Air existed. He was Levi’s flight instructor, and one story in particular from those early days captures the energy, trust, and humor that has carried through the years.

Credit: Donny Sandusky (Photo by Heather Leven)

“We were flying at night doing pattern work for Levi’s commercial rating,” Donny remembers. “He puts the gear down and says, ‘I don’t have a gear down indication.’ I told him to recycle it. Still nothing.”

After exhausting every checklist and consulting maintenance, Levi had an idea: open the cabin door and try to physically pull the gear down.

“So, there I am, flying the plane, holding Levi’s belt while he’s halfway hanging out the door at 3,000 feet trying to grab the gear,” Donny laughs. “Eventually I said, ‘Get back in here. This is getting dangerous.’”

The two made a gear-up landing back in Oakland. It went smoothly—just louder with the metal fuselage grinding on the runway. They opened the doors, banged their heads forgetting the plane was lower – surviving this emergency landing with only a self-inflicted injury.

“We high-fived on the runway,” Donny says. “Then stood there waiting for the fire crew, who never got out of the truck. Eventually, we just walked over and said, ‘So… now what?’”

While their relationship with that plane may have been tarnished, the bond between the two, however, only grew stronger.

Growth Rooted in Relationships

Barbara Hunt, VP of Business Operations, was another early addition to the leadership team. A lifelong aviation professional, she had known Levi for years before joining the company.

Credit: Barbara Hunt (Photo by Heather Leven)

“I was planning to take a break from work,” she says. “Then Levi called and asked, ‘You ready to come back?’ It was a unique opportunity I couldn’t pass up and I’ve been here ever since.”

Barbara was instrumental in helping the company expand into scheduled air service – a pivotal moment that transformed Advanced Air from a charter-only operation into something more.

“There were so many details to figure out,” she explains. “Software, taxes, DOT compliance, schedules. And we built relationships with people at the DOT who are now just a phone call away. It’s one of the things that makes this company special.”

Serving the Communities That Need It Most

Through participation in the federal Essential Air Service (EAS) program, Advanced Air connects rural communities to the national air network—places that would otherwise go without.

“For people in major cities, flying to a medical appointment sounds odd,” says Hunt. “But in rural communities, it’s a lifeline.”

Levi adds, “We show up. That makes all the difference. Being reliable is key in providing Air Service.”

From Silver City, New Mexico to Merced, California, Advanced Air has become more than a service – it’s become a trusted part of the community. Local leaders text the leadership team directly. Residents recognize flight crew members on the street. It’s a small-town approach in an increasingly impersonal industry.

Small but Mighty

Advanced Air now operates 20 aircraft and serves 14 cities. But despite its growth, the company remains intentional about keeping its culture intact.

“We’ve had staff here since the beginning,” says Sandusky. “We value internal trust. It’s how things get done.”

Credit: Levi Stockton (Photo by Heather Leven)

The company has also made significant investments in infrastructure and recruiting. It maintains one of the strongest pilot pipelines in the region through its partnership with Southwest Airlines’ 225 Cadet Program. It performs four third-party safety audits per year, far exceeding industry norms.

An interline agreement with Alaska Airlines now allows travelers to book seamless trips through major hubs to Advanced Air destinations, expanding visibility for the small communities it serves.

Looking Forward

Advanced Air is preparing to break ground on another 100,000 square feet of hangar space at Hawthorne Airport this summer—some of the last new hangars available in the LA Basin.

Beyond infrastructure, Advanced Air is also investing in the future of accessible and efficient private air travel. One major initiative is a new charter booking app currently in development.

Designed with ease of use in mind, the app will allow customers to search available aircraft, receive real-time pricing, and even get notified about empty leg flights between their preferred cities.

“We want to make private travel feel less intimidating,” says Stockton. “When you’re flying with a group, it can be surprisingly affordable – and this tool helps show that.”

A Company with Soul

In a world of mergers and mega-carriers, Advanced Air remains a rare story. It’s not built on flash or fanfare. It’s built on trust, friendship, consistency, and a deep belief in the importance of showing up.

Twenty years later, the team that started with one plane and a dream is still flying—and still reaching higher.

“None of this works without the people,” says Barbara. “That’s the soul of the company.”

And that’s something worth celebrating.