The Private Flight Group Arranges Flights for Individuals and Fortune 500 Companies.  Fly in Comfort and Style in a Charter Plane.

Charter Aircraft Services: Fly in Comfort and Style on a Chartered Plane

 

 

 

 

 


About The Team
| About The Private Flight Group

Rob Iverson, President and Founder
Charter Airline Service: The Private Flight GroupRob Iverson has enjoyed a long and intensive career in aviation.  Mr. Iverson started as a Lieutenant and a pilot for the US Air Force flying missions at the end of the Gulf War in C-141s.  He then took his Air Force experience to award winning KIWI International Airlines.  At KIWI
Mr. Iverson progressed from Flight Engineer to First Officer flying B-727-200 to a position in the flight test unit.  The flight test unit was responsible for test flying aircraft going into or returning from maintenance. 

While at KIWI Mr. Iverson was offered a position with a start-up charter airline, Sky Trek International Airlines.  Mr. Iverson accepted a position in the management of the carrier and helped Sky Trek get certified with the FAA and the DOT.  After the successful certification, Mr. Iverson’s duties advanced from flying as a Captain on the B-727-200 to being a check airman, to overseeing the Dispatch and Crew Scheduling department, Customer Service, to all marketing and sales activity, ultimately serving as the Senior VP of Marketing and Operations.  Mr. Iverson instituted a unique synergistic relationship between Ops and Marketing and was responsible for capturing all of the revenues that Sky Trek generated.

Mr. Iverson left Sky Trek in 1999 to start his own private air charter firm, Private Flight Group LLC.  At Private Flight Group he has arranged flights for Fortune 500 companies, sports figures and high profile government officials, including the 2000 Presidential campaign.  Private Flight Group specializes in transportation solutions for its clients.  PFG obtained its FAR part 135 operating certificate in 2005 and currently manages multiple aircraft for several corporations and wealthy individuals.
 In 2007, Mr. Iverson was retained to help launch the Merrill Lynch financed startup company, Pegasus Elite Aviation.  Building the company from scratch, as Vice President of Operations, Mr. Iverson oversaw the hiring and training of 140 pilots, conforming 25 aircraft onto the PEA operating certificate and hiring and structuring a state of the art 24/7 dispatch and flight following system.  Mr. Iverson built the foundation of a company that went from zero revenue to $84 million on an annualized basis in 10 months.

Mr. Iverson holds an ATP with a B-727 and L-300 type ratings and over 6000 hours of flying time.  Mr. Iverson brings a unique combination of business acumen and practical, hands-on knowledge that few other people in his industry possess.  Mr. Iverson resides in the New York area.

John Girgis - Vice President of Sales
John Girgis joins Private Flight Group Chicago Operations with over 15 years of aviation experience.  An Airline Transport Pilot with 8,000 hours of flight time, Mr. Girgis has held positions with four airlines, most recently Northwest Airlines.  In addition to his position as Pilot, Mr. Girgis has served on various airline-related boards and committees, including the Midway Airport Tenants Association.

Prior to his commercial airline career, Mr. Girgis’ aviation experience includes flying corporate aircraft and flight instruction.  He has flown the DC-9-10/30/40/50, B-727-200, ATR 42 and 72, EMB-120, Westwind II, and King-Air 100, among others.

Mr. Girgis received a BA from The University of Illinois in 1987 and a Masters in Business Administration (MBA) with honors from DePaul University in 1990.  In his business career, Mr. Girgis worked for The Northern Trust Company as an operations specialist, and The Netherlands Chamber of Commerce as an International Trade Advisor.

Mr. Girgis brings a compelling combination of business background and vast aviation experience to Private Flight Group. 

William R. Dolan, VP Flight Operations/DO
Bill joins the Private Flight Group, LLC with over 45 years of aviation experience. Bill has achieved over 21,000 hours of total flying time and is type rated in16 different aircraft, including the Hawker 700/800, Gulfstream II/III, Beechjet 400, Citation 550/560, King Air 350 and the Beech Starship.  Bill is an FAA check-airman and has been designated by the FAA to issue type ratings on the Beechjet/Citation and King Air.  Bill has held management positions at Raytheon Aircraft Services - Regional Chief Pilot, Jet Equity – Executive VP of Operations and Maintenance, Talon Air – Chief Pilot, Fleet Aviation - President, Alpha Air Service – VP Operations. 

Bill is very well respected and brings a level of cockpit experience and hands on aviation management that only a handful of people can demonstrate in the industry.   Bill’s long standing career in both the military and private sector has given him the experience to ensure the safe operation of each managed aircraft.  As Director of Operations at PFG, Bill oversees and manages the day to day flight operations and regulatory compliance/communication with FAA and DOT.  Bill works closely with each department to insure a safe and efficient operation, while keeping an eye on the bottom line.

Trevor van der Merwe, VP of European Operations
Trevor started his career in Botswana's Okavango Delta as a bush pilot, lodge manager and safari guide, flying Cessna 206 and Piper 32s. He then followed the small airline route, graduating through the turboprops to airline jets. His airline career includes time with a British Airways franchise in South Africa and Air Mauritius flying internationally to Europe, Asia, Africa and the Middle East. He was invited to join several ex-South African Airways Directors in their consultancy.

After two years with the consultancy where he did aircraft and route evaluation and analysis with an emphasis on cargo, the lure of operations was too great. He joined Avstar Aviation as a shareholder and Director and started the Part 121 division, growing the wet leasing business to include two Shorts, and three B737s with two MD80 on dry lease. Trevor created the business from scratch, completing the business plan, employing and training the staff, evaluating and buying the aircraft and arranging the maintenance. After selling his share he has enjoyed flying as a freelance B737 captain on international contracts.

Captain van der Merwe is type rated in the Airbus A340-300, Boeing 727, Boeing 737-2/3/4/500, ATR42, Shorts 360, Dornier 228 and Metroliner and has over 8000 hours. Trevor lives in the UK with his family.

Arnold W. Weber – Vice President Chicago Operations
Arnie Weber joins Private Flight Group as Vice President of Chicago Operations with 20 years in aviation and has accumulated over 11,000 hours of flying experience.   Mr. Weber began his flight career in 1986 at Purdue University, graduating in 1990 with a B.S. in Aviation.  After flight instructing at Sierra Academy in Oakland, California, Mr. Weber joined the United States Air Force Reserve flying the C-130H.  Stationed out of O’Hare Airport in Chicago, Mr. Weber planned and flew missions throughout Europe, Central and South America and the Middle East, including combat hours over Bosnia and Kosovo.  Mr. Weber served as an Aircraft Commander for eight years and was ultimately promoted to the rank of Captain, before focusing on civilian aviation.

Mr. Weber began his commercial airline career in 1996 at TWA as a Flight Engineer on the B-727.  Recognizing Mr. Weber’s talents, TWA quickly promoted him to a line check airman (LCA).  Following TWA, Mr. Weber was hired by United Air Lines in 1998, where he continues to enjoy flying as a Flight Officer on the B-737-300. 

Mr. Weber joined Private Flight Group in 2005. His extensive knowledge of the industry and keen business sense make him a true asset to the team.  Mr. Weber brings an enthusiastic and committed approach to the success of the Chicago branch of Private Flight Group.

William Bradford Bertele, Director of Maintenance
Native to the Northeast, William joins Private flight group having been involved in Aviation for over 20 years.  His accomplishments include 4 years of honorable service in the US Army as a Scout Helicopter crew chief where he began a unique skill of both repairing and flying aircraft.  Returning from the service, William entered the civilian aircraft maintenance industry repairing everything from small single engine aircraft to helicopters and transport category turbojets. 

In 1991, William added a private pilots certificate to his Airframe and Powerplant.  William then left aviation to pursue an engineering career that ended 9 years later as the Engineering Manager for Link Controls. 

In 2000 William returned to aviation with aircraft Inspection Authorization, as well as pilot commercial ratings and started a successful Air Carrier as a pilot and Director of Maintenance.  When William left that Long Island based company in June, it had over $50 million in aircraft inventory. 

In addition to managing aircraft, William has also qualified as a pilot for Raytheon Aircraft Charter and Management (RACM),  JFK based American Eagle (Part 121), and Talon Air (Part 135).

Jeff Arnold, Chief Pilot
Captain Arnold joins Private Flight Group, LLC with over 46 years of flight experience.   With both military and civilian domestic and international flying experience, Captain Arnold brings a broad depth of knowledge and experience to PFG.  Captain Arnold started his commercial career at TWA in 1965 as a Constellation First Officer and retired from TWA in May 2000 as an International B-747-200 Captain. Captain Arnold is type rated in the B-747-200, B-767-300, DC-9, MD-80, B-757/767, 727, 707, L-1011, BE-400A, MU-300, HS-125-800XP and has served as a Check Airman (Domestic & International) and Line Instructor Pilot (Domestic & International). He has amassed over 22,241 hours of commercial flying.  As Chief pilot Captain Arnold oversees and manages our flight department and pilots.  Jeffry lives on Cape Cod with his wife and family.

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184 Airport Road | Westchester County Airport, White Plains, NY 10604 | Ph: 914.761.6494 | Ph: 888.761.6494 | Fax: 914-761-8029
Email: info@privateflightgroup.com