Paco Chierici Visits RAI Jets for “Fast Cars and Faster Jets”

The KAZO hangar of RAI Jets was the site of a recent VIP event called “Fast Cars and Faster Jets,” featuring a special appearance by author, producer, and former naval aviator, Paco Chierici. Paco is the creative genius behind the novel Lions in the Sky: The Top Gun for a New Millennium, and the producer of the thrilling documentary, Speed and Angels.

About sixty people gathered for a reception on the evening of August 4 to meet Paco, view the “fast cars,” courtesy of one of our co-sponsor, Fresh Coast Auto Detail, who specializes in detailing high end luxury cars, and the “faster jets” in the RAI Jets hangar.  The event was also co-sponsored by the Aviation Risk Management Group, which specializes in aviation insurance products. We’re grateful to our insurance agent, Rick Turner, for the inspiration to bring Paco to Kalamazoo for the appearance.

For RAI Jets, it was exciting to once again hold an in-person VIP event. Our last one was “Jets and Jewels” in 2018 in conjunction with local jeweler, UniQ.  This time, we were delighted to partner with ARMG, our trusted insurance provider for years, and Fresh Coast Auto Detail. Many of our jet charter customers have taken the opportunity to have their car detailed by Fresh Coast during their private flights in and out of our Kalamazoo hangar.

Paco was a gracious and engaging speaker who shared his own journey to becoming a navy fighter pilot and the missions he completed. He also told us a little about his book, which authentically shares the experience of the fighter pilot through the eyes of his fictional characters. Literary critics as well as military dignitaries have heralded the book as riveting and a real glimpse into the true, seldom shared experience of Navy fighter pilot trainees.

Paco’s film entitled Speed and Angels is now available on Amazon. If you haven’t seen it yet, watch it tonight!  It’s a captivating documentary following the rise of two Navy fighter pilots, Jay and Meagan. We hear their personal stories in their own words, as well as commentary from their families, fellow classmates, and flight instructors throughout their training.  In many scenes we’re right in the cockpit with them as they learn, triumph, and fail on their way to achieving their dreams.

We also provided attendees with copies of Lions in the Sky for Paco to autograph and distribute.  Everyone seemed to enjoy an evening of good food, new friends, and the opportunity to learn more from an aviator with a great story to tell.

Thanks again to Rick Turner from ARMG, Genevieve Allen from Fresh Coast Auto Detail, Paco Chierici, photographer David DeHaan from DMD Photographic, and all of our customers who attended and made the night so special. We hope to see you again at our next VIP event!