Story ID: 
Celebrating the Power of Partnership
By: Martha Jercinovich
Caption: Building trust, fostering teamwork and delivering exceptional outcomes.
Word Count: 872
Celebrating more than 20 years of partnership, Thornton Aviation and Freeman Spogli have built a legacy of collaboration and innovation centered around the care of Freeman Spogli’s Falcon 2000. Since the beginning, their relationship has been grounded in trust, performance and a shared drive for excellence. The Falcon 2000 itself stands as a testament to this partnership, reflecting ongoing investments in safety, technology and passenger experience.
Throughout this enduring collaboration, Thornton Aviation has conducted three C checks on the Falcon 2000, demonstrating the depth of their maintenance expertise and commitment to reliability. Years of routine and major inspections have given Thornton Aviation’s team unparalleled familiarity with the aircraft, playing a crucial role in keeping Freeman Spogli’s aircraft operating smoothly and safely.
The latest chapter in this partnership saw Thornton Aviation undertake a major upgrade of the Falcon 2000, elevating comfort, connectivity and cockpit technology. The project included installing Universal Avionics’ InSight Integrated Flight Display system—a modern cockpit enhancement that improves situational awareness and reliability. Thornton Aviation also performed a full interior refurbishment, a dry bay modification for enhanced safety, a 1C inspection and a cabin management system overhaul to further enrich the passenger experience.
For inflight connectivity, Gogo’s L5 system and PS Engineering’s PAC45 audio panels were added, ensuring seamless communication and entertainment. Every phase was meticulously managed, leading to successful completion on schedule and within budget.
The Partner Perspective
“Thornton Aviation has consistently delivered for us, year after year. Their team knows our aircraft inside and out, and we trust them with both routine maintenance and major upgrades,” said Tyler Thomas, Freeman Spogli’s chief pilot. “The new InSight cockpit is a game changer for our operations, and the upgraded cabin systems have been very well received by our passengers. It’s rare to find a partner that brings this level of dedication and expertise to every project.”
Ron Spogli, representing the leadership at Freeman Spogli, added, “What stands out about Thornton Aviation is their attention to detail and genuine commitment to our mission. They’ve been with us for years, ensuring continuity and the highest standards of service. The recent upgrades have improved our aircraft, and we look forward to continuing this partnership for years to come.” Freeman Spogli, based in California, offers private equity services. When the aircraft is not in company use, it is available for charter through Clay Lacy Aviation.
Steve Zimmerman, CEO of Thornton Aviation, shared, “Our relationship with Freeman Spogli is a source of pride for our organization. Delivering this comprehensive upgrade required coordination across our engineering, avionics and interior teams. We’re proud to have maintained the trust of the Freeman Spogli team over the years, and we remain committed to supporting their evolving needs.”
Delivering Solutions and Service
While the Falcon 2000 is known to have a stable flight deck, upgrades like the Universal InSight cockpit presented unique challenges. This particular aircraft had Universal FMSs, whereas the STC certification aircraft featured Collins FMSs, requiring several deviations, including those related to transponders and TAWS. Thornton Aviation’s team worked diligently to resolve these and other operational discrepancies, ensuring the upgrade met all expectations.
Vince Russo, director of avionics, commented, “This InSight cockpit installation was a technical milestone for our team. By collaborating closely with the owner, Universal Avionics and the STC holder, we ensured every detail met the client’s expectations. Successful delivery, on schedule and within budget, speaks to the strength of our partnership and the expertise of our staff.”
Marc Bouliane, vice president business development, marketing and services for Universal Avionics, added, “What truly distinguishes this partnership is the exceptional technical capability of the Thornton Aviation team. Their sales and technical professionals possess a comprehensive understanding of our systems, enabling seamless integration and optimized performance with every installation. This expertise, combined with their unwavering focus on customer satisfaction, allows us to deliver a superior experience for flight departments.”
The story of Thornton Aviation and Freeman Spogli is defined by the dedicated people behind the aircraft. The relationship is built on mutual respect and shared goals. Thornton Aviation’s continuity ensures that institutional knowledge and personalized service remain at the forefront.
The recent upgrades to the Falcon 2000 have set a new standard for performance and passenger satisfaction. More importantly, they reaffirm the value of a trusted partnership—one that balances technological innovation with a deep understanding of client needs. As Thornton Aviation and Freeman Spogli look ahead, their legacy of collaboration promises ongoing success, adaptability and a steadfast commitment to excellence for years to come.
Sponsored by:
Thornton Aviation
About Thornton Aviation: For more than 40 years, Thornton Aviation has been serving the business aviation community. With operations at Burbank (KBUR) and Van Nuys (KVNY), Thornton Aviation is perfectly positioned to serve operators based on the West Coast or those visiting the area for business or pleasure. A Part 145 repair station with FAA approval for more than 61 aircraft types, Thornton Aviation handles big inspections, avionics upgrades, drop-in needs and more.
For more information, phone (818) 357-5599 or visit www.thorntonaviation.com