AeroVanti founder Patrick Britton-Harr is launching a Pilatus PC-12 program one week before his first fraud trial begins in Maryland.
Last week, prosecutors in Maryland submitted proposed jury instructions for the upcoming trial alleging that AeroVanti founder Patrick Britton-Harr defrauded members of its Top Gun program of at least $15 million.
It is one of two trials Britton-Harr is facing; the other alleges he bilked the government for a medical testing business he owned.
This morning, Britton-Harr continued with his plans to resurrect AeroVanti.
As previously reported, Britton-Harr struck a partnership with Texas-based PlaneSmart.
Recently, he sought the judge’s permission to attend a sales meeting.
This morning, Britton-Harr announced the launch of his new private aviation program.
According to a sales email from Britton-Harr, plans call for a Pilatus PC-12 to be based in Sarasota, Florida.
Flight requests are starting “approximately” on May 15, 2026.
Britton-Harr wrote, “AeroVanti established a strategic alliance with PlaneSmart Aviation about 90 days ago, and (PlaneSmart) has already begun successfully completing trips for AeroVanti members.”
Britton-Harr says PlaneSmart “has opened a satellite office at KSRQ and provided AeroVanti a Pilatus PC-12 aircraft to relocate and base it out of KSRQ starting as early as May 15, 2026.”
The aircraft is being offered for charter with one of two pilots.
The Pilatus turboprop can seat eight or nine passengers in the configuration being offered.
Britton-Harr says the flights will operate under FAA Part 135 regulations.
AeroVanti, before being grounded in 2023, was operating under Part 91 rules, claiming it complied with cost-savings exemptions.
After launching in 2021, AeroVanti attracted over 400 members in less than two years, offering flights at under $2,000 per hour.
Britton-Harr wrote that the retail charter rate will be $3,995 per hour plus taxes and airport fees.
Members save $500 per hour.
Top Gun members, who the Department of Justice lost $15 million in the alleged fraud, can fly for $2,495 per hour.
Britton-Harr says the reduced pricing for Top Gun members “includes the $1,500 (per hour) allocation from pre-paid block time hours.”
One Top Gun member who received the email said, “I shake my head as I read this.”
AeroVanti and Britton-Harr have faced numerous civil lawsuits.
Plaintiffs include former members, aircraft lessors, and the Chicago Cubs and Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
The sports teams claimed unpaid sponsorships.
A former executive said in 2023 that AeroVanti may have incurred approximately $50 million in debt.
The AeroVanti founders’ first trial is scheduled for May 18, 2026, at the Baltimore Federal Courthouse in Maryland.
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