Finance, aviation, and business have always been passions of California native, Lauro Ruiz. However, it was only recently that he realized the tremendous business potential of combining all three — which led to the formation of Aviation One Fund LLC.
As a 15-year real estate broker, based in Mesa, Arizona, Lauro attained a solid foundation in finance and business. During this period Lauro also worked in the mortgage industry and started his own telecom business, which is still in operation.
“Working in real estate both as a broker and on the mortgage side has been a great grounding not only in business but in building relationships,” Lauro says. “I got to see every kind of real estate investment opportunity and the tax advantages they provide in one of the country's most burgeoning and lucrative markets in Arizona. I also learned the importance of staying true to your word and always being someone investors could count on.”
While working in real estate Lauro, a married father of three boys, formed an innovative, patent awarded telecom business for ringless voicemail service. If that wasn't enough, Lauro also became a qualified private pilot and developed a deep interest in the aviation industry which led to the purchase of his first plane, a Mooney M20j. After talking to other professionals in the private plane business, Lauro realized what tremendous opportunities lay within aviation.
“In the last few years, forest fires have become a major issue on the west coast,” Lauro, says. “Having enough planes and pilots to address these is also a big problem. The more planes mean the better equipped we are to deal with them. Unfortunately, climate change is not going away anytime soon. That's why the charter aspect of my business caters specifically to forest fire contracts. It mixes my passion for aviation with doing something helpful to society and the environment, has government has allocated funds to it, and it's in high demand.”
The second component of Aviation One Fund LLC is its jet maintenance center, catering to jet and turboprop plane maintenance.
“There's been a tremendous upswing in business for private plane use,” Lauro says. Indeed, in 2021 the use of private jets and turboprops was up 40% over the previous year. At the same time, commercial airline schedules were down 40% over pre-pandemic averages. The increased use of charter planes and business decreases airport wait times. In an infection-conscious world, this is a safer, more hygienic form of travel. Successful stock and real estate markets have also increased the wealth of many Americans who can afford to fly privately for the first time, fueling the demand.
“The increased use of private planes means there's an increased need for plane maintenance,” Lauro, who is in the process of working on his commercial, multi- engine, and flight instructor ratings, says. “Probably one of the most satisfying aspects of Aviation One Fund LLC is that not only is it an extremely lucrative business proposition due to the demand of private and charter plane usage but it's helping communities stay safe. On top of that, the maintenance center is supplying jobs to them as well. It's a win win.”