Ferry Flying for a Living: Why Steve Giordano Left a Senior Airline Captain Seat
Steve Giordano gave up a senior captain seat at Allegiant to start a ferry operation. He explains how the business really works, from permits to $18-a-gallon fuel.
Most airline pilots spend a career working toward the left seat. Steve Giordano reached it, then walked away to build Nomadic Aviation Group, a company that moves airplanes across oceans and continents.
In Episode 370, he takes Justin inside the ferry business: how a job gets quoted, how the flights actually get flown, and what can go wrong a long way from home.
- 01How ferry flights are quoted and flown
- 02Working with lessors, permits and DARs
- 03Fuel tankering when fuel costs $18 a gallon
- 04What trips cost, and the margins involved
- 05What he looks for when he contracts pilots
- 06Flights to Alice Springs during COVID, and thunderstorms over equatorial Africa
How a ferry flight comes together
Steve breaks down the steps behind a single delivery, from working with lessors to securing permits and the Designated Airworthiness Representatives (DARs) a flight can require.
The economics
Fuel can cost $18 a gallon where these airplanes land, which makes fuel tankering part of the plan. Steve talks openly about what trips cost and the margins in the business.
What he wants in a ferry pilot
For pilots curious about this kind of flying, Steve explains what he looks for when contracting pilots for Nomadic’s trips.
Stories from the road
The conversation covers COVID-era flights to Alice Springs, thunderstorms in equatorial Africa, and the operational failure in Korea that Steve considers his worst.
Steve Giordano
Steve Giordano is the founder of Nomadic Aviation Group, a ferry operation. Before starting it, he was a senior captain at Allegiant.
Frequently asked questions
What is a ferry pilot?
A ferry pilot delivers an airplane from one place to another, often over long distances and international borders, rather than carrying passengers or cargo for hire.
Who is Steve Giordano?
Steve Giordano is a former senior captain at Allegiant who founded Nomadic Aviation Group, a ferry operation.
Why is fuel tankering important in ferry flying?
At some destinations fuel can cost as much as $18 a gallon, so carrying extra fuel from a cheaper stop can change the cost of a trip.
