Lion Aviation
Family-run business built on passion and community flies 2 Hawker 800XPs and King Air 350.
By Rafael Henríquez
Managing Editor
In the competitive world of private aviation, companies often face the challenge of balancing growth with maintaining the personalized service that sets them apart. For Lion Aviation, a Houston TX-based aviation services company, the secret to success lies in staying true to its roots while serving clients with the utmost care and attention.
Founded by Javier Rodríguez and his wife Hillary, Lion Aviation has grown into a respected name in the industry, known for its strong family values, deep community involvement, and commitment to providing clients with an unparalleled flying experience.
The story of Lion Aviation begins with a deep sense of heritage and pride. While Javier Rodríguez is a proud first generation Texan, he ans his family trace his roots back to Ponce PR – a place rich in history and cultural significance.
For him and his family, the connection to their hometown is something they hold dear, which is why it was integral to the company’s identity.
In 2012, the Rodríguezes decided to take a bold step and open their own aviation business. Javier, who had spent years flying for others, realized that running his own operation would offer him the flexibility and control he needed in order to provide the level of service he believed in.
With Hillary’s support, they launched Lion Aviation in Houston, thus starting a new chapter in both their personal and professional lives. “Before Covid hit, I gave control of the company to my wife,” relates Javier. “She became the president and CEO of the company, dealing predominantly with HR and accounting while I handle the majority of the logistics, such as pilot assignments and coordinating with the maintenance team.”
The name Lion Aviation pays homage to the founders’ cultural heritage. Ponce, their hometown, is known for its iconic lion statues that stand guard at the gates to the old city.
These majestic creatures symbolize strength, protection, and pride, which are values that resonate deeply with Javier and Hillary. “Lion Aviation represents not just strength and security in aviation, but also the guardianship of our values and culture,” says Javier, reflecting on the significance of the name.
The company operates a pair of Hawker 800XP jets and a King Air 350 turboprop out of HOU (Hobby, Houston TX) in service of several Part 91 operators.
In addition to fleet management, Lion Aviation handles aircraft sales and acquisitions, and offers consulting services and flight department auditing.
Building trust through personal relationships
From the very beginning, Lion Aviation set itself apart by offering something that many larger corporate aviation companies cannot – a deeply personalized experience. Rather than pursuing mass-market growth, Lion Aviation opts for a more boutique model, catering to a select group of clients who seek not only expert service but also a personal touch.
“We don’t advertise much,” Javier explains. “Most of our business comes from word of mouth. We keep our client base small so we can really give them the attention they deserve.” This approach allows them to foster strong relationships with their clients, understanding their needs and preferences on a personal level.
The company’s emphasis on personalization is evident in the way it treats its customers. For example, they make it a point to remember clients’ birthdays and significant life events, such as anniversaries or children’s milestones.
“We know all of our owners’ birthdays and their kids’ birthdays,” Hillary adds. “Occasionally, I’ll make something special for them to take as a birthday gift.” This level of attention – remembering personal events and incorporating thoughtful touches into every interaction – sets Lion Aviation apart and fosters a deep sense of loyalty and care.
However, Lion Aviation’s efforts to provide customers with the best service possible go beyond just personal attention. The company works with the best providers to ensure that passengers receive top-notch care, both at their home base and on the road.
Key partners include Million Air for domestic operations, World Fuel Services for international trip planning, and Manny and Cabo San Lucas FBO for ground handling in Mexico.
“Million Air provides us with a very nice FBO at HOU,” says Hillary. “They have everything we need. We have our offices and stock room there. All our airplanes are hangared at Million Air HOU, too.
Our customers love the Million Air facilities. We use their conference rooms for our quarterly meetings. And, when a client has to wait a little bit longer, Million Air can accommodate them for us.”
Javier adds, “When traveling to Mexico, Manny handles all of our paperwork. They keep everything on file for our flight crews, aircraft, and passengers. They’re a reliable partner.”
Commitment to safety
At Lion Aviation, safety is paramount. Javier is quick to point out that, while excellent customer service is essential, it is only effective when paired with the highest safety standards. “We want to be the safest operation possible while ensuring that our clients are taken care of in a fiscally responsible manner,” he says.
Every client and aircraft is unique, so it’s critical that Lion Aviation’s flight crews are trained to meet the specific needs of each individual owner. Safety measures are built into every aspect of the company’s operation, from flight planning to on-board preferences.
Each plane is equipped with everything clients might need to feel comfortable and secure during their flight, whether it’s specific foods or communication equipment. As Javier emphasizes, “Every owner has their own uniqueness, and we strive to make sure their needs are met.”
The crew’s dedication to providing a safe and seamless experience extends to every part of the company, including the flight crew itself.
With around 1200 to 1500 flight hours annually across the company, safety is continuously maintained by ensuring pilots and crew members are not overworked. “We try to make sure that none of our pilots flies more than 5 days at a time,” says Javier, referring to the company’s focus on work/life balance.
This careful scheduling is particularly important when dealing with fatigue. As Hillary explains, “We try to ensure our pilots have a good quality of life, which includes adequate rest.” This commitment to preventing burnout ensures that pilots remain sharp and focused, maintaining the highest levels of safety for their clients.
Behind the scenes
While Javier is the face of the company in the skies, Hillary’s work behind the scenes is just as crucial to the company’s success.
As Lion Aviation’s manager, she handles a wide range of administrative duties, including human resources tasks such as benefits management, client relations, contracts, and accounting. This ensures smooth day-to-day operations.
Hillary brings a wealth of management experience to the company. Her background in quality assurance and safety audits provides valuable insights into maintaining high standards across all aspects of the business, from aviation operations to customer service.
“I handle a lot of the back-end work,” Hillary explains. “I do the payroll, manage paid time off, and I make sure everyone gets their benefits. I also help Javier with trip planning when there’s a special request from a client, like an anniversary or a birthday.”
Hillary is meticulous about details and makes sure that clients and staff alike are taken care of, even during busy periods. Her efforts ensure that Lion Aviation runs smoothly, allowing Javier to focus on flying and maintaining relationships with clients.
Community engagement
Although Lion Aviation is a private company focused on high-end clients, it has not lost sight of the importance of community involvement. Javier and Hillary are deeply passionate about supporting local causes and giving back to the Houston community. This commitment is evident in their charitable donations and volunteer work.
The couple’s efforts include a recent donation to the Clear Creek Education Foundation, which provided funding to purchase large-print books for the visually impaired students at Clear Lake High School.
Their generosity extends to supporting booster clubs, local PTAs, and other school initiatives. “Supporting our community is really important to us,” Hillary says. “We want to make sure we give back to the community that has been so welcoming to us.”
Their community engagement also extends to their work with special-needs children. As a special-needs family themselves, the Rodríguezes are passionate about making aviation more accessible to families with children who have disabilities.
Hillary offers an example. “We recently offered to host a tour for families with special-needs children,” she says. “We want to help them become more comfortable with aviation, as flying is something they might be able to do independently one day.”
Through efforts such as these, Lion Aviation proves that it’s not just about flying clients from one destination to another – it’s about making a positive impact on the lives of others.
aircraft and passengers.
Personnel
Chief Pilot William Noles has dedicated more than 40 years to aviation. His journey began in the US Navy, where he worked as a mechanic on Grumman F-14 Tomcats. After leaving the Navy, he built his career flying various aircraft, including Learjets, Beechjets, and Hawkers, eventually landing his current role at Lion Aviation.
A long-time friend of Javier’s, Noles brings his vast experience to help manage the fleet and the pilots. As chief pilot, his responsibilities go beyond flying.
To streamline operations, Noles and the team use Airplane Manager for scheduling, maintenance tracking, and logistics. “I make sure the plane is ready, the crew is ready, and everything is in place for the owners,” he explains.
Director of Maintenance (DOM) Joe Coody earned his A&P through Rice Aviation. Before joining Lion Aviation 7 years ago, he worked as DOM at Enterprise Jet Center and for a large Part 91 operation, in addition to contract work.
While Coody and his team are capable of performing routine scheduled and unscheduled maintenance work, they outsource heavier maintenance events to Duncan Aviation, Standard Aero, and West Star.
Lion Aviation aircraft are protected by OEM maintenance programs, including Collins Aerospace’s CASP for avionics, and Honeywell’s MSP for engines and HAPP for avionics. Coody uses Veryon software to keep track of maintenance events.
Future growth and expansion
As Lion Aviation continues to thrive, the company is considering its future. While Javier and Hillary are content with the business they have built, they also recognize that growth is an inevitable part of the process. “We’re always looking to grow,” says Hillary. “Right now, we’re focused on hiring an additional first officer, and we’re looking to expand our client base. We’re always open to helping clients with aircraft procurement or sales.”
Although Lion Aviation is expanding, the Rodríguezes remain committed to their original vision – a hands-on, boutique operation that provides clients with the highest levels of service. “Our goal is to keep growing, but we never want to lose that personal touch,” Javier says. “It’s about building relationships that last.”