INTERVIEW
Surrey’s Premier Lifestyle Magazine
Plane crazy the sky’s the limit
Rising business star James Moon left school aged 16 to pursue a career in aviation; eight years on he’s flying high. One of the UK’s youngest pilots at 17, today the former Dame Allan’s pupil owns Moon Jet Group, an aircraft remarketing startup. Andrew Peters talked to the rising young businessman who remains committed to scaling further heights and increasing sales.
James Moon
Selling second hand aircraft around the globe from its Newcastle HQ, Moon Jet assists an array of customers ranging from airlines and private jet companies to high net worth individuals. James Moon, now 23, says he founded the business because a massive niche existed for a unique, personalised international aviation firm, driven by the needs of its clients.
Q James, what sparked your interest in flying?
A Every since a young age I wanted to become an airline pilot; when I was 10 I had a flight simulator and thought I was quite good at flying!
Q When did you begin to fly?
A Age 14 – it was love at first flight…
Q What gave you the idea to start Moon Jet Group?
A An aircraft owner in the USA wanted a hand selling an aircraft so I helped him and discovered how much money there was in it. I was good at it too, as I sold it without any real experience in aircraft sales. But the more I looked into the industry all I heard about were the numerous out of date methods, bad experiences and rogue ‘brokers’, so I felt there was a substantial niche for an honest, trustworthy, passionate and genuine international aircraft remarketing firm.
Q How much time went into planning the business before you started it?
A Two years of solid speaking with aircraft owners, leasing companies and attending events worldwide to prove the niche
and concept.
Q What sort of aeroplanes do you sell? Is there any plane you wouldn’t look at taking on and finding a buyer for?
A I would have originally said yes we would take every aircraft type in the world on to our books, however, since growing our team, we no longer take anything less than $200K, as our clientele has felt insulted when buying a $20m aircraft and their new aircraft is next to a $10,000 Cessna on our website.
Q What has been the most difficult period for the business to date?
A Rapid growth, which is a great thing you might think, but it really puts a strain on the resources and abilities of a small team. However, with Moon Jet’s recruitment we are solving this good problem.
Q You’ve currently got a 1944 Yakovlev YAK 9-UM warbird for sale. How did you acquire that?
A I heard it was for sale and thought I want our clients to see that! It is gorgeous and if I had the money I would have snapped it up by now.
Q James, what sparked your interest in flying?
A Every since a young age I wanted to become an airline pilot; when I was 10 I had a flight simulator and thought I was quite good at flying!
Q When did you begin to fly?
A Age 14 – it was love at first flight…
Q What gave you the idea to start Moon Jet Group?
A An aircraft owner in the USA wanted a hand selling an aircraft so I helped him and discovered how much money there was in it. I was good at it too, as I sold it without any real experience in aircraft sales. But the more I looked into the industry all I heard about were the numerous out of date methods, bad experiences and rogue ‘brokers’, so I felt there was a substantial niche for an honest, trustworthy, passionate and genuine international aircraft remarketing firm.
Q How much time went into planning the business before you started it?
A Two years of solid speaking with aircraft owners, leasing companies and attending events worldwide to prove the niche
and concept.
Q What sort of aeroplanes do you sell? Is there any plane you wouldn’t look at taking on and finding a buyer for?
A I would have originally said yes we would take every aircraft type in the world on to our books, however, since growing our team, we no longer take anything less than $200K, as our clientele has felt insulted when buying a $20m aircraft and their new aircraft is next to a $10,000 Cessna on our website.
Q What has been the most difficult period for the business to date?
A Rapid growth, which is a great thing you might think, but it really puts a strain on the resources and abilities of a small team. However, with Moon Jet’s recruitment we are solving this good problem.
Q You’ve currently got a 1944 Yakovlev YAK 9-UM warbird for sale. How did you acquire that?
A I heard it was for sale and thought I want our clients to see that! It is gorgeous and if I had the money I would have snapped it up by now.
Profile: Moon Jet Group
Launched in May 2015, following two years of preliminary work and planning, James Moon has put every pound he’s ever had into growing the Moon Jet Group.Last year the hard work paid off and the Group landed a $168m deal selling two Airbus A330s, growing the enterprise into one of the largest of its kind.
Yet the young entrepreneur remains committed to scaling further heights and increasing sales next year by beginning aircraft charters in Australia, the US and the UK, as well as increasing aircraft sales.
Despite Moon Jet Group’s jet-setting nature, James insists future growth will not impact on the company’s commitment to his native North East.
He confirmed: “It’s great to operate from the North East of England, despite the region not being well known for aviation. We’re changing that and putting the North East on the industry’s world map.”
Q Do you see classics becoming a larger part of your sales?
A Yes, as well as fighter jets for recreational use. Some of our high net worth clients want these as toys which is pretty cool.
Q Obviously selling a large plane is a daunting prospect. How do you acquire planes and how do you market them to find buyers?
A We are often approached by an aircraft owner: we make an offer to market it, we visit to take photographs and then devise a dedicated marketing plan for the aircraft. Every aircraft is different: marketing an Airbus is different to a Gulfstream; our competitors don’t do this, but we find that specific marketing works very well.
Q You’ve achieved so much in such a short space of time, would you describe yourself as plane (not plain) mad?
A Yes, I think you have to be mad and delusional at times, pushing the business to its limits and taking it into the unknown. I love taking a risk and not knowing where it might lead.
Q Have you ever found your age to be a hindrance rather than an advantage in the industry, after all some of the aeroplanes are big pieces of kit?
A Yes, it is ridiculous that age can hold you back. I have dealt with some fantastic aircraft owners and businesses, have been just about to sign, and they discover I am only 23… I have then been told to either go back to university or accused of running a scam. It is my pet hate, I cannot stand it, but I turn it around and use it as motivation.
A Yes, as well as fighter jets for recreational use. Some of our high net worth clients want these as toys which is pretty cool.
Q Obviously selling a large plane is a daunting prospect. How do you acquire planes and how do you market them to find buyers?
A We are often approached by an aircraft owner: we make an offer to market it, we visit to take photographs and then devise a dedicated marketing plan for the aircraft. Every aircraft is different: marketing an Airbus is different to a Gulfstream; our competitors don’t do this, but we find that specific marketing works very well.
Q You’ve achieved so much in such a short space of time, would you describe yourself as plane (not plain) mad?
A Yes, I think you have to be mad and delusional at times, pushing the business to its limits and taking it into the unknown. I love taking a risk and not knowing where it might lead.
Q Have you ever found your age to be a hindrance rather than an advantage in the industry, after all some of the aeroplanes are big pieces of kit?
A Yes, it is ridiculous that age can hold you back. I have dealt with some fantastic aircraft owners and businesses, have been just about to sign, and they discover I am only 23… I have then been told to either go back to university or accused of running a scam. It is my pet hate, I cannot stand it, but I turn it around and use it as motivation.
Q How many people do you now employ? Are they all plane enthusiasts like yourself?
A Last time I checked it was 12! But we are looking to add more enthusiasts worldwide. In the UK, it is myself and former ‘Red 1’, Red Arrow pilot Jas Hawker who is chief operating officer of Moon Jet Group.
Q What’s been your biggest deal to date?
A Landing the $168m Airbus A330-300 deal for an airline in Asia. Moon Jet beat all its competitors to win that when we were less than 12 months old too. The deal was a credit to our brand and our passion towards aviation. It got us noticed worldwide, it turned heads.
Q How does Moon Jet’s referral scheme work?
A It is simple. If an individual knows an aircraft is for sale, or any aircraft owner is looking to sell, mention them to us and if it sells there is a $3,000 (USD) referral fee.
Q What are your aims and ambitions for the Moon Jet Group over the next few years?
A To continue growing rapidly, opening more offices worldwide, and to build an awesome global team that can help us reach even greater heights.
Q The company sells aircraft worldwide which must entail a lot of travel, so how do you relax when there is some downtime?
A I go flying! Or play cricket for my local cricket team that I captain. This is a punishing business as given the time zones it is impossible to switch off.
Q What’s your favourite aeroplane to fly?
A Has to be the one I went solo in: the Piper Warrior. I love it, it’s reliable and incredible.
A Last time I checked it was 12! But we are looking to add more enthusiasts worldwide. In the UK, it is myself and former ‘Red 1’, Red Arrow pilot Jas Hawker who is chief operating officer of Moon Jet Group.
Q What’s been your biggest deal to date?
A Landing the $168m Airbus A330-300 deal for an airline in Asia. Moon Jet beat all its competitors to win that when we were less than 12 months old too. The deal was a credit to our brand and our passion towards aviation. It got us noticed worldwide, it turned heads.
Q How does Moon Jet’s referral scheme work?
A It is simple. If an individual knows an aircraft is for sale, or any aircraft owner is looking to sell, mention them to us and if it sells there is a $3,000 (USD) referral fee.
Q What are your aims and ambitions for the Moon Jet Group over the next few years?
A To continue growing rapidly, opening more offices worldwide, and to build an awesome global team that can help us reach even greater heights.
Q The company sells aircraft worldwide which must entail a lot of travel, so how do you relax when there is some downtime?
A I go flying! Or play cricket for my local cricket team that I captain. This is a punishing business as given the time zones it is impossible to switch off.
Q What’s your favourite aeroplane to fly?
A Has to be the one I went solo in: the Piper Warrior. I love it, it’s reliable and incredible.
essence info
Website: www.moonjetgroup.com “The A330 deal was massive for the Moon Jet Group, but we have to keep standing out. We’re a unique firm, attracting worldwide clients in a
unique market, but we want more!”
James Moon