First Officer for Excellent Air GmbH

Hi! I'm

Thomas Challies

a

First Officer

turning complex skies into smooth journeys.

Green 3D object
Green 3D object

{01} — About Me

PILOT BY TITLE, PROBLEM SOLVER BY NATURE AND TEAM PLAYER BY CHOICE; SOARING THROUGH CHALLENGES, UNITED IN PURPOSE.

Years of rigorous training across Europe and the U.S have equipped me with a global perspective and solid skills. As a corporate pilot, I see my role as pivotal in driving economic growth by delivering top-tier air transport services with unwavering commitment to safety and customer satisfaction.


{02} — What I've done and doing

Experience

Excellent Air

/

01

First Officer Cessna Citation

  • Operate the Cessna Citation across Europe

    ensuring safe and efficient flights.

  • Adapt to varied missions and schedules

    maintaining flexibility under pressure.

  • Deliver first-class service to VIP passengers

    ensuring comfort and discretion.

Feb 2024 - Now

Excellent Air

/

01

First Officer Cessna Citation

  • Operate the Cessna Citation across Europe

    ensuring safe and efficient flights.

  • Adapt to varied missions and schedules

    maintaining flexibility under pressure.

  • Deliver first-class service to VIP passengers

    ensuring comfort and discretion.

Feb 2024 - Now

Excellent Air

/

01

First Officer Cessna Citation

  • Operate the Cessna Citation across Europe

    ensuring safe and efficient flights.

  • Adapt to varied missions and schedules

    maintaining flexibility under pressure.

  • Deliver first-class service to VIP passengers

    ensuring comfort and discretion.

Feb 2024 - Now

1000+

Total

flight hours

1000+

Total

flight hours

1000+

Total

flight hours

5+

Years

of experience

5+

Years

of experience

5+

Years

of experience

300+

Flights

on jets

300+

Flights

on jets

300+

Flights

hours on jets

{03} — Licences

My certificates toolbox

{03} — Licences

My certificates toolbox

{03} — Licences

My certificates toolbox

Type Rating

Cessna Citation Jet C525

Valid & Issue by Swedish CAA

Type Rating

Cessna Citation Jet C525

Valid & Issue by Swedish CAA

Type Rating

Cessna Citation Jet C525

Valid & Issue by Swedish CAA

EASA Certificates

Airline Transport Pilot Licence
Commercial Pilot Licence
Instrument Rating
Multi Engine Land
Single Engine Land & Sea
Advanced UPRT
APS MCC Airbus A320
ELP English Level 6
Medical CLASS 1

Valid & Issue by Swedish CAA

EASA Certificates

Airline Transport Pilot Licence
Commercial Pilot Licence
Instrument Rating
Multi Engine Land
Single Engine Land & Sea
Advanced UPRT
APS MCC Airbus A320
ELP English Level 6
Medical CLASS 1

Valid & Issue by Swedish CAA

EASA Certificates

Airline Transport Pilot
Commercial Pilot Licence
Instrument Rating
Multi Engine Land
Single Engine Land & Sea
Advanced UPRT
APS MCC Airbus A320
ELP English Level 6
Medical CLASS 1

Valid & Issue by Swedish CAA

FAA Certificates

Commercial Pilot Licence
Instrument Rating
Multi Engine Land
Single Engine Land
High Performance Endorsement
Medical CLASS 1

Valid but Flight Review Required

FAA Certificates

Commercial Pilot Licence
Instrument Rating
Multi Engine Land
Single Engine Land
High Performance Endorsement
Medical CLASS 1

Valid but Flight Review Required

FAA Certificates

Commercial Pilot Licence
Instrument Rating
Multi Engine Land
Single Engine Land
High Performance Endorsement
Medical CLASS 1

Valid but Flight Review Required

{04} — What I've done and doing

{03} — Where I come from

Flight Training

Certificate

Place

School

School

Year

Typre Rating Citation Jet C525

Cannes, FR

EFSTC

2022 — Present

Typre Rating Citation Jet C525

Cannes, FR

EFSTC

2022 — Present

Certificate

Typre Rating Citation Jet C525

Place

Cannes, FR

School

EFSTC

Year

2024

APS MCC A320 - Airline Ready Program

Cambridge, UK

VA Airline Training

2021 — 2022

APS MCC A320 - Airline Ready Program

Cambridge, UK

VA Airline Training

2021 — 2022

Certificate

APS MCC A320 - Airline Ready Program

Place

Cambridge, UK

School

VA Airline Training

Year

2024

EASA Commercial Pilot Licence + Instrument rating + Advanced UPRT

Trollhättan, SE

Alpha Aviation Academy

2019 — 2021

EASA Commercial Pilot Licence + Instrument rating + Advanced UPRT

Trollhättan, SE

Alpha Aviation Academy

2019 — 2021

Certificate

EASA Commercial Pilot Licence + Instrument rating + Advanced UPRT

Place

Trollhättan, SE

School

Alpha Aviation Academy

Year

2024

EASA Airline Transport Pilot Licence

Cannes, FR

Cannes Aviation

2017 — 2019

EASA Airline Transport Pilot Licence

Cannes, FR

Cannes Aviation

2017 — 2019

Certificate

EASA Airline Transport Pilot Licence

Place

Cannes, FR

School

Cannes Aviation

Year

2023

FAA Multi Engine Land

Naples, FL, USA

Naples Aviation

2016 — 2017

FAA Multi Engine Land

Naples, FL, USA

Naples Aviation

2016 — 2017

Certificate

FAA Multi Engine Land

Place

Naples, FL, USA

School

Naples Aviation

Year

2023

FAA Commercial Pilot Licence + Instrument rating

Miami, FL, USA

OSM Aviation Academy

2016 — 2017

FAA Commercial Pilot Licence + Instrument rating

Miami, FL, USA

OSM Aviation Academy

2016 — 2017

Certificate

FAA Commercial Pilot Licence + Instrument rating

Place

Miami, FL, USA

School

OSM Aviation Academy

Year

2021 - 2022

EASA Single Engine Piston Sea

Biscarosse, FR

Aquitaine Hydravions

2016 — 2017

EASA Single Engine Piston Sea

Biscarosse, FR

Aquitaine Hydravions

2016 — 2017

Certificate

EASA Single Engine Piston Sea

Place

Biscarosse, FR

School

Aquitaine Hydravions

Year

2020

EASA Private Pilot Licence Single Engine Piston Land

Montpellier, FR

Aéroclub de l'Herault

2016 — 2017

EASA Private Pilot Licence Single Engine Piston Land

Montpellier, FR

Aéroclub de l'Herault

2016 — 2017

Certificate

EASA Private Pilot Licence Single Engine Piston Land

Place

Montpellier, FR

School

Aéroclub de l'Herault

Year

2019

{05} — Flying is my job, but adventure doesn’t stop when I land

{03} — Where I come from

Outside of flying

Skiing

I’ve been on skis since I could walk, from racing gates as a kid to chasing untouched powder off-piste, it’s my first and biggest passion.

Surfing

Treking

Swimming

Wakeboard

Skiing

I’ve been on skis since I could walk, from racing gates as a kid to chasing untouched powder off-piste, it’s my first and biggest passion.

Surfing

Treking

Swimming

Wakeboard

Skiing

I’ve been on skis since I could walk, from racing gates as a kid to chasing untouched powder off-piste, it’s my first and biggest passion.

Surfing

Treking

Swimming

Wakeboard

{06} — Recommendations

Don't take my word for it

* Take theirs

{04} — Recommendations

Don’t take my
word for it

* Take theirs

{04} — Testimonials

Don’t take my
word for it

* Take theirs

{07} — FAQ

Got Questions?

Got Questions?

01/

What type of operations are you currently involved in?

I’m currently flying for Excellent Air, a German business aviation operator, mainly on Cessna Citation CJ2 and CJ3 aircraft. Our operations are very dynamic, we fly to a wide variety of airports across Europe, including many challenging or smaller airfields. It’s a fast-paced environment that requires full adaptability and resilience. As part of a small, close-knit crew, I’m involved in every step, from managing the aircraft and ground handling to coordinating directly with operations and ensuring a smooth VIP experience for our clients.

02/

Why did you choose business aviation to start your career?

I chose business aviation to start my career because it offered a very hands-on and versatile environment. You get to experience every aspect of flight operations, from planning and customer handling to decision-making in dynamic situations. It helped me build strong autonomy, adaptability, and a deep sense of responsibility from the very beginning of my career.

03/

What makes you stand out as a pilot?

What sets me apart is the combination of precision, adaptability, and a genuine passion for aviation. I’ve invested heavily in my training and hold both FAA and EASA licenses, which gives me a broad operational perspective and the ability to perform confidently across different regulatory environments. Beyond the standard path, I’ve pursued additional ratings such as seaplane, parachute-dropping, aerial spraying, and forest-fire observation. These experiences have strengthened my airmanship, decision-making, and situational awareness, qualities I bring into every flight. In business aviation, I take pride in maintaining the highest standards of safety while also ensuring an exceptional passenger experience. I always aim to support the team and make every flight run smoothly from both a technical and human perspective.

04/

What keeps you motivated as a pilot?

What motivates me the most is teamwork. Sharing a common goal with people who are equally committed to safety and professionalism. When coordination, communication, and trust all come together, it creates a sense of flow that’s extremely rewarding. Every flight is different, every situation demands focus and adaptability. That variety keeps me fully engaged and passionate about what I do.

05/

Why should we hire you?

To know the answer, either contact me or invite me to your assessment. 😉

01/

What type of operations are you currently involved in?

I’m currently flying for Excellent Air, a German business aviation operator, mainly on Cessna Citation CJ2 and CJ3 aircraft. Our operations are very dynamic, we fly to a wide variety of airports across Europe, including many challenging or smaller airfields. It’s a fast-paced environment that requires full adaptability and resilience. As part of a small, close-knit crew, I’m involved in every step, from managing the aircraft and ground handling to coordinating directly with operations and ensuring a smooth VIP experience for our clients.

02/

Why did you choose business aviation to start your career?

I chose business aviation to start my career because it offered a very hands-on and versatile environment. You get to experience every aspect of flight operations, from planning and customer handling to decision-making in dynamic situations. It helped me build strong autonomy, adaptability, and a deep sense of responsibility from the very beginning of my career.

03/

What makes you stand out as a pilot?

What sets me apart is the combination of precision, adaptability, and a genuine passion for aviation. I’ve invested heavily in my training and hold both FAA and EASA licenses, which gives me a broad operational perspective and the ability to perform confidently across different regulatory environments. Beyond the standard path, I’ve pursued additional ratings such as seaplane, parachute-dropping, aerial spraying, and forest-fire observation. These experiences have strengthened my airmanship, decision-making, and situational awareness, qualities I bring into every flight. In business aviation, I take pride in maintaining the highest standards of safety while also ensuring an exceptional passenger experience. I always aim to support the team and make every flight run smoothly from both a technical and human perspective.

04/

What keeps you motivated as a pilot?

What motivates me the most is teamwork. Sharing a common goal with people who are equally committed to safety and professionalism. When coordination, communication, and trust all come together, it creates a sense of flow that’s extremely rewarding. Every flight is different, every situation demands focus and adaptability. That variety keeps me fully engaged and passionate about what I do.

05/

Why should we hire you?

To know the answer, either contact me or invite me to your assessment. 😉

01/

What type of operations are you currently involved in?

I’m currently flying for Excellent Air, a German business aviation operator, mainly on Cessna Citation CJ2 and CJ3 aircraft. Our operations are very dynamic, we fly to a wide variety of airports across Europe, including many challenging or smaller airfields. It’s a fast-paced environment that requires full adaptability and resilience. As part of a small, close-knit crew, I’m involved in every step, from managing the aircraft and ground handling to coordinating directly with operations and ensuring a smooth VIP experience for our clients.

02/

Why did you choose business aviation to start your career?

I chose business aviation to start my career because it offered a very hands-on and versatile environment. You get to experience every aspect of flight operations, from planning and customer handling to decision-making in dynamic situations. It helped me build strong autonomy, adaptability, and a deep sense of responsibility from the very beginning of my career.

03/

What makes you stand out as a pilot?

What sets me apart is the combination of precision, adaptability, and a genuine passion for aviation. I’ve invested heavily in my training and hold both FAA and EASA licenses, which gives me a broad operational perspective and the ability to perform confidently across different regulatory environments. Beyond the standard path, I’ve pursued additional ratings such as seaplane, parachute-dropping, aerial spraying, and forest-fire observation. These experiences have strengthened my airmanship, decision-making, and situational awareness, qualities I bring into every flight. In business aviation, I take pride in maintaining the highest standards of safety while also ensuring an exceptional passenger experience. I always aim to support the team and make every flight run smoothly from both a technical and human perspective.

04/

What keeps you motivated as a pilot?

What motivates me the most is teamwork. Sharing a common goal with people who are equally committed to safety and professionalism. When coordination, communication, and trust all come together, it creates a sense of flow that’s extremely rewarding. Every flight is different, every situation demands focus and adaptability. That variety keeps me fully engaged and passionate about what I do.

05/

Why should we hire you?

To know the answer, either contact me or invite me to your assessment. 😉

First Officer for Excellent Air GmbH

Back to top

Back to top

Connecting safety, precision & performance.

Let’s fly further — safely and efficiently.

Thomas Challies

First Officer EASA/FAA

Contact me

tf.challies@gmail.com

+33 6.95.51.87.96

Let’s connect if you need a professional pilot committed to precision and operational excellence.

First Officer for Excellent Air GmbH

Back to top

Back to top

Connecting safety, precision & performance.

Let’s fly further — safely and efficiently.

Thomas Challies

First Officer EASA/FAA

Contact me

tf.challies@gmail.com

+33 6.95.51.87.96

Let’s connect if you need a professional pilot committed to precision and operational excellence.

First Officer for Excellent Air GmbH

Back to top

Back to top

Connecting safety, precision & performance.

Let’s fly further — safely and efficiently.

Thomas Challies

First Officer EASA/FAA

Contact me

tf.challies@gmail.com

+33 6.95.51.87.96

Let’s connect if you need a professional pilot committed to precision and operational excellence.