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

700+

Total

flight hours

700+

Total

flight hours

700+

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

2024

Typre Rating Citation Jet C525

Cannes, FR

EFSTC

2024

Certificate

Typre Rating Citation Jet C525

Place

Cannes, FR

School

EFSTC

Year

2024

APS MCC A320 - Airline Ready Program

Cambridge, UK

VA Airline Training

2024

APS MCC A320 - Airline Ready Program

Cambridge, UK

VA Airline Training

2024

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

2024

EASA Commercial Pilot Licence + Instrument rating + Advanced UPRT

Trollhättan, SE

Alpha Aviation Academy

2024

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

2022 - 2023

EASA Airline Transport Pilot Licence

Cannes, FR

Cannes Aviation

2022 - 2023

Certificate

EASA Airline Transport Pilot Licence

Place

Cannes, FR

School

Cannes Aviation

Year

2023

FAA Multi Engine Land

Naples, FL, USA

Naples Aviation

2023

FAA Multi Engine Land

Naples, FL, USA

Naples Aviation

2023

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

2021 - 2022

FAA Commercial Pilot Licence + Instrument rating

Miami, FL, USA

OSM Aviation Academy

2021 - 2022

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

2020

EASA Single Engine Piston Sea

Biscarosse, FR

Aquitaine Hydravions

2020

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

2019

EASA Private Pilot Licence Single Engine Piston Land

Montpellier, FR

Aéroclub de l'Herault

2019

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

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

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

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