Is Private Aviation Ready for Stablecoins?

Plus, Vistajet safety conversation and more

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Jessica Naor & Preston Holland
September 04, 2025

✈️ The VIP Seat Weekly

Your business aviation hot takes, served fresh

This week: Business aviation weekly: VistaJet adopts enhanced pilot training, crypto expert explains stablecoins and the GENIUS Act impact, Instagram influencer promotes unrealistic Global 6000 investment returns, and Cessna Latitude gets weathervaned in Scottsdale.

Season 2, Episode 14 | September 4th, 2025 | Episode Companion

🛫 The Runway Report

This week, we went a little different with the show format. We have one safety story at the top with news about Vistajet, and then we dive deep with Kyle Patel from Bitlux on what stablecoins could mean for charter operators and charter brokers after the Genius Act passed.

1️⃣ VistaJet Goes Beyond Standard Training with Real-World Data

The Scoop: VistaJet Europe adopted Enhanced Evidence-Based Training (EBT), using real pilot performance data instead of just standardized checklists. This optional program analyzes actual flight operations to focus training on areas where pilots need the most work, like challenging approaches at airports such as Aspen or Teterboro.

Our Take: This is smart safety innovation - training on actual problems instead of generic scenarios. While the US lacks standardized training programs (which Europe already has), many operators are probably doing this informally. Vista deserves credit for voluntarily adopting enhanced protocols they don't have to use.

2️⃣ The GENIUS Act Makes Stablecoins Legit (Finally)

All In Crypto GIF

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The Scoop: Congress passed the GENIUS Act, creating regulatory framework for stablecoins - digital currencies pegged 1:1 to the US dollar. Unlike volatile Bitcoin, stablecoins maintain steady value and could revolutionize aviation payments by enabling 24/7 transactions without banking hours, holidays, or 4.5% credit card fees.

Our Take: This could be a game-changer for weekend AOG situations and international transactions. When traditional banking fails (like needing emergency medical transport from Russia on Saturday at 4am), blockchain never sleeps. The framework prevents rehypothecation and gives stablecoin holders priority in liquidations - potentially safer than regular bank deposits.

Special Guest: Thanks to Kyle Patel from Bitlux Private Jets for coming on this week’s show to educate us more on crypto payments and what stablecoins could mean for private aviation!

🤳 Mile High Madness

This week's wildest aviation content from social media

Preston Thinks This Global 5000 Math Ain’t Mathin: Another social media influencer claimed you can make money buying a Global 6000 for charter, citing $13,000/hour rates "net of fuel" and promising 6.5% financing on a Canadian aircraft. The math assumes 400 flight hours annually with just two crew members and $450,000 in annual detailing costs.

Jessie's FBO Memes Gold: The Cessna Latitude weathervane dance in Scottsdale, complete with dramatic music and the revelation that NetJets now requires five chocks on these aircraft types. The PC-12 sitting motionless next to the dancing Latitude perfectly captured the difference between utility and refinement.

🎧 This Week's Episode

Missed the podcast? Catch up on the full episode at the links below! We would LOVE if you would give us a 5 start review, and share with your friends!

✈️ The Final Approach

We tried something new on this episode diving deep into a relevant topic and making sure it stays relevant for our business aviation folks. We hope that you liked it! We welcome your feedback, so be sure to give it to us!

The VIP Seat Weekly is the companion newsletter to The VIP Seat podcast. We give you the business aviation hot takes for your commute.

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