PROFILE … SOLAIRUS AVIATION
Extraordinary
growth Dan Drohan, CEO of Solairus Aviation, talks to Anthony Harrington about the company’s extraordinary growth over the last decade an Drohan founded Solairus in 2009 after decades of experience owning and operating successful aviation companies. His entrepreneurial drive and his strong business and sales acumen quickly established Solairus as one of the industry’s most highly respected aircraft management firms. After more than ten years under Drohan’s leadership, Solairus now manages a diverse fleet of over 225 premium business jets and aircraft, serving discerning clients around the globe.
the local airport and helped me get a part-time job there. It wasn’t much at first, washing aircraft, helping out here and there, but eventually, I became more and more involved with the business side of things as well. I started working in the administration office while also learning to fly.
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I knew early on that aviation was my life’s calling, so I decided to make it my career and eventually started my own air tours company, Sunset Aviation, shortly after my first semester of college. Sunset flew tours over the San Francisco Bay Area, eventually flying private charters as well. We then gradually built-up Sunset from one single Beech Baron, which I still own in pristine condition to this day, into a strong regional aircraft management company. When we finally sold that business in 2007, we were managing over 25 aircraft from turboprops to mid-size jets.
AH: What drew you to business aviation, Dan? DD: My father sadly passed away when I was very young and a good family friend stepped up to help. He knew that I had a passion for aviation at an early age, so he took me to
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