Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
Clay Lacy Aviation history
Clay Lacy Aviation company history timeline
Founded in 1968 by world-renowned pilot Clay Lacy, Clay Lacy Aviation (CLA) operates one of the largest fleets of charter and managed aircraft in the world.
In 1968, Clay Lacy Aviation began operations as an on-demand jet charter operator at Van Nuys Airport in Los Angeles.
1981: World’s first all-jet FBO opens at Clay Lacy Aviation’s Van Nuys Airport headquarters.
Over the next decade, the company began to offer aircraft management and maintenance services, and in 1981 established the first all-jet FBO.
1984: Van Nuys Airport facility doubles in size with additional hangars and offices.
Kirkdoffer joined Clay Lacy as a pilot in 1990.
1998: First Gulfstream GV available for charter in the United States, introducing ultra-long range business jet travel to charter clients.
1999: First Boeing Business Jet (BBJ) available for charter in the United States, the first commercial airline-size, VIP-configured aircraft.
2001: Managed fleet increases to 30 aircraft.
In 2002, Clay Lacy expanded to the Pacific Northwest, with a hangar facility and full-service FBO at Boeing Field in Seattle.
2003: Brian Kirkdoffer, a world record-holding Learjet and Gulfstream captain, is named company president.
2009: First business jet fleet to install high-speed Wi-Fi, new 40,000 square-foot hangar completed at Seattle jet center.
2012: Brian Kirkdoffer, a 22-year company veteran, is named President & CEO of Clay Lacy Aviation.
2013: Clay Lacy Aviation celebrates 45 years as the world’s most experienced jet charter and management company.
He acquired majority interest in Clay Lacy Aviation in 2013, and is currently president and CEO.
2015: First Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) issued by the FAA for Future Air Navigation System (FANS 1/A+) upgrade for the Gulfstream GIV and GIVSP.
2015: $10 million, six-acre expansion and redevelopment at Van Nuys Airport, creating LA’s most secure and exclusive private aviation complex.
In 2016, the company opened an FAA Part 145 Repair Station and expanded its Seattle capabilities to include FAA-certified private jet charter services.
In 2016, Clay Lacy acquired Key Air, a long-time East Coast private aviation company, with an operations and maintenance center at Waterbury-Oxford Airport near New York.
In 2018, Clay Lacy marked its fiftieth anniversary in April, opened its first New York office in June, and sold its Boeing Field Seattle operation in December.
An FAA Part 145 Repair Station was certified in 2018.
In April 2019, the FAA awarded Part 145 certification to the Clay Lacy aircraft maintenance operation at Waterbury-Oxford Airport, in Oxford, Connecticut.
In January 2020, Embraer expanded the authorized service center designation at Clay Lacy's Van Nuys Airport FAA Repair Station to include Embraer Legacy and Embraer Praetor business jets.
A third Clay Lacy FBO, to be developed on a 16-acre, 30-year leasehold at Waterbury-Oxford Airport, was announced by the Connecticut Airport Authority in October 2020.
Operations began in January 2021.
In September 2021, Eviation Aircraft, a global manufacturer of all-electric aircraft, announced a partnership with Clay Lacy to provide electric charging as part of its Fixed Based Operator (FBO) network of services.
2021: Clay Lacy opens a new FBO at Orange County's John Wayne Airport.
2021: Comprehensive corporate sustainability strategy introduced, carbon offsets program expanded.
The 40,000-square-foot hangar and FBO will be completed in 2022, expanding the company’s operations in the northeastern United States and creating an estimated 100 new jobs.
Rate how well Clay Lacy Aviation lives up to its initial vision.
Clay Lacy Aviation jobs
Do you work at Clay Lacy Aviation?
Is Clay Lacy Aviation's vision a big part of strategic planning?
Clay Lacy Aviation competitors
| Company name | Founded date | Revenue | Employee size | Job openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| KaiserAir | 1954 | $48.7M | 79 | - |
| Priester Aviation | 1945 | $25.3M | 350 | - |
| Jet Linx | 1999 | $24.0M | 476 | 19 |
| Jet Source Inc. | - | $11.5M | 50 | - |
| Pentastar Aviation | 1964 | $75.0M | 200 | 11 |
| Jet Aviation | 1985 | $532.8M | 800 | 197 |
| Solairus Aviation | 2009 | $326.0M | 200 | 68 |
| Delta Private Jets | 1984 | $28.7M | 160 | - |
| Contour Aviation | 1982 | $5.9M | 100 | 40 |
| Business Jet Access | 1993 | $7.4M | 125 | 5 |
Clay Lacy Aviation history FAQs
Zippia gives an in-depth look into the details of Clay Lacy Aviation, including salaries, political affiliations, employee data, and more, in order to inform job seekers about Clay Lacy Aviation. The employee data is based on information from people who have self-reported their past or current employments at Clay Lacy Aviation. The data on this page is also based on data sources collected from public and open data sources on the Internet and other locations, as well as proprietary data we licensed from other companies. Sources of data may include, but are not limited to, the BLS, company filings, estimates based on those filings, H1B filings, and other public and private datasets. While we have made attempts to ensure that the information displayed are correct, Zippia is not responsible for any errors or omissions or for the results obtained from the use of this information. None of the information on this page has been provided or approved by Clay Lacy Aviation. The data presented on this page does not represent the view of Clay Lacy Aviation and its employees or that of Zippia.
Clay Lacy Aviation may also be known as or be related to Clay Lacy Aviation and Clay Lacy Aviation, Inc.