From the Flight Deck to the Boardroom

THE FIRE (2006)

I grew up in aviation. My father ran Executive Aerospace, a charter airline where junior pilots earned their stripes before stepping into the cockpit. My identity was tied to that company.

Then came 2006. The business went into liquidation.

I was 20 years old, standing in court watching lawyers strip apart everything my father had built. One tried to rattle me over an aircraft logbook. I held my ground. The judge smiled.

Inside, I was burning.

That year taught me: Fragility is dangerous. I swore I'd never be that defenseless again.

THE OPERATOR (2010-2020)

After four years in the wilderness, I found my way back. In 2010, I joined SA Express and was partnered for CRJ simulator training with Ryan Parrock. We were both hungry, both needed the job. That training session forged a friendship and business partnership that defines my life today.

For ten years, I was an airline pilot. I rose to Fleet Captain of the CRJ, learning the discipline of command.

Then history rhymed. COVID hit. SA Express closed. I lost my job again.

This time was different. I wasn't the 20-year-old kid in court anymore.

THE PIVOT (2020-PRESENT)

I forced myself into the boardroom.

My father had joined Simaero. When the airline folded, I pivoted into training operations. Simaero became my personal MBA.

One day, my dad mentioned he'd been "hearing about digital" for years but had never seen results. That comment was the catalyst. I found Fluix, mapped the workflows, trained the team, and transformed our paper-heavy operation into a digital system.

That launch proved I could build systems that create value.

Today, as General Manager at Simaero Johannesburg, I focus on Innovation and Stability. Building stable training processes in volatile markets is my way of healing the past.

THE LEVERAGE (2019-PRESENT)

In 2019, I heard Naval Ravikant say: "Code and media are permissionless leverage."

That sentence changed everything. I couldn't just rent out my time forever—I had to build assets.

The Bryan Air Podcast — Co-hosted with Ryan Parrock. 250+ episodes, 40+ countries, #1 Management Podcast in South Africa. Mission: Translate boardroom decisions into flight deck intelligence.

Sim Trainer One — Digital training platform serving 3,500+ pilots worldwide. I built it while working full-time. Students completed courses while I slept. That's leverage.

Kaizen and the Art of Command — Leadership course with Laurie Graham. Flight deck principles for life and business.

THE PHILOSOPHY

Kaizen (continuous improvement) is my North Star. It's how I moved from the 2006 court case to the executive office today.

I practice Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. I'm a husband and father. My family is my "Why."

My core value is Perseverance. I don't give up. I show up. I find a way.

THE MISSION

Stay ahead of the aircraft. In the cockpit, if you fall behind, you stop leading and start reacting.

I apply that discipline to aviation business:

At Simaero: I build stable training processes—digital systems and leadership that withstand chaos.

Through The Bryan Air Podcast: I help pilots see what's coming before it lands on their flight deck.

Through Kaizen Command: I teach flight deck leadership that transfers beyond the cockpit.

The goal isn't just to fly the jet. It's to understand the business, lead yourself, and own your career.

The industry doesn't owe you stability. You have to build it yourself.