Story ID: 
Bill Boisture Joins Spike Aerospace Team
By: Kerry Lynch
Caption: Bill Boisture is the latest of a number of a high-profile aerospace veterans who have come on board the Spike Aerospace executive team.
Word Count: 230
Spike Aerospace has added Bill Boisture to its executive team as it continues to build its leadership base and lay the groundwork for the development of the 18-passenger Spike Supersonic Jet. With Boisture, Spike is bringing a seasoned business aviation executive into the fold who has substantial leadership experience, including as president of and COO of Gulfstream Aerospace, president of NetJets, chairman and CEO of Hawker Beechcraft, and, currently, operating partner at AeroEquity. This background, Spike Aerospace said, will help it execute its strategy, build partnerships, and seek financing.

"I had been skeptical of the business model for supersonic flight as the corporate market seemed too small for a supersonic business jet,” Boisture said. “But the Spike Supersonic Jet can meet the needs of private, corporate, and commercial airline operations. Being able to serve multiple markets expands the opportunity dramatically and makes a strong business case for Spike Aerospace.”

Boisture is the latest of several key aerospace executives to join the Spike team. Others include Tom Captain, former vice-chairman of Deloitte Aerospace and Defense Group; John Thomas, former CEO of Virgin Australia Airline; Ray Benvenuti, private equity investor; and Brian Foley, owner of Brian Foley Associates and former director of marketing at Dassault Falcon Jet.

The Mach 1.6 Spike business jet will be developed with a low-boom design and comply with Stage 5 standards.