Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Websites
Certification
FLIGHT EXPERIENCE
Timeline
Generic

ERIC DOYLE

Houston,TX

Summary

Dynamic and visionary executive with 25+ years of leadership experience in aviation, military operations, and the aerospace industry. Proven success as COO and CEO in driving growth, profitability, and modernization across complex aviation organizations. Combines operational rigor with strategic insight, having scaled a government aviation company from under $1M to $18M+ in two years while improving EBITDA and securing high-value DoD contracts. Former Commanding Officer of the U.S. Navy Blue Angels and TOPGUN instructor, now focused on private sector excellence. Adept at fleet integration, scheduling optimization, team building, and mission-driven execution.

Overview

30
30
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification

Work History

Chief Executive Officer

RAVN Aerospace
11.2022 - Current
  • Veteran-led commercial air services company providing Adversary Air, JTAC Training, RDT&E support, and maintenance training to U.S. government and defense partners.
  • Led the strategic rebrand from Air USA to RAVN Aerospace, aligning company identity with a forward-looking mission and growth strategy.
  • Relocated headquarters from Illinois to Texas, optimizing operations, talent acquisition, and proximity to key government customers.
  • Scaled revenue from $7.4M (2022) to $18.4M (2024) with a projected $21.5M in 2025; improved EBITDA margin from 13.6% to 20%.
  • Secured three new DoD contracts—two with the U.S. Air Force and one with the U.S. Army, expanding mission sets and revenue base.
  • Integrated AI-powered tools to optimize flight operations, reduce overhead, and improve mission readiness.
  • Built a high-performing executive team and instilled a culture of safety, ownership, and disciplined execution across the company.

President

The Tailhook Association / Tailhook Educational Foundation
01.2019 - 01.2023
  • Led two non-profit organizations focused on supporting sea-based naval aviation and awarding scholarships to children and grandchildren of Naval Aviators.
  • Oversaw governance, fundraising, strategic partnerships, and scholarship program expansion.

Chief Operating Officer

Air USA, Inc.
05.2021 - 10.2022
  • Commercial adversary air services provider supporting U.S. military pilot training and readiness.
  • Increased revenue from $196K (2020) to $950K (2021) within 7 months, achieving 4x growth and returning the company to profitability in 2022.
  • Secured two U.S. government contracts in 2021 and 2022, reviving business development and operations.
  • Rebuilt operations, reduced costs, and aligned flight operations with BD efforts to streamline execution and improve readiness.
  • Implemented scalable infrastructure for aircraft, personnel, and scheduling to support contract growth and execution.

Director, F/A-18E/F Transition Team

U.S. Navy Blue Angels
01.2019 - 01.2021
  • Directed the successful transition of the Blue Angels to the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet—the first new aircraft in 33 years.
  • Oversaw operations, maintenance, flight envelope testing, and integration planning.

Commanding Officer & Flight Leader

Blue Angels, U.S. Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron
01.2017 - 01.2019
  • Led 140+ personnel and 35 aircraft across 70+ flight demonstrations annually.
  • Served as the face of naval aviation, managing public engagements and showcasing operational excellence.

Commanding Officer / Executive Officer

Strike Fighter Squadron 113 (VFA-113)
01.2015 - 01.2017
  • Led a deployable F/A-18C/E squadron with 230+ personnel and $1.2B in assets.
  • Executed a combat deployment for Operation INHERENT RESOLVE and transitioned the squadron from F/A-18C to F/A-18E.

Operational Test Pilot

422nd Test & Evaluation Squadron (TES)
01.2011 - 01.2015
  • F-22A Operational Test Pilot
  • Conducted operational test and evaluation of A-10, F-15, F-16, F-22A, F-35A, HH-60G, and CSAR platforms.

TOPGUN Instructor / F/A-18 Combat Pilot

U.S. Navy
01.1996 - 01.2011
  • Served as a TOPGUN Instructor and Training Officer of the U.S. Navy Fighter Weapons School.
  • Recognized as subject matter expert on Targeting Pods and FLIR systems as well as F/A-18 Air-to-Air tactics.
  • Awarded the 2008 Michael G. Hoff Attack Pilot of the Year.

Education

Strike Fighter Tactics Instructor

U.S. Navy Fighter Weapons School (TOPGUN)
01.2003

B.S. - Civil Engineering

Texas A&M University
01.1995

Skills

  • Business start up
  • Board governance
  • New market penetration
  • Consulting

Certification

  • FAA Commercial Pilot (Multi-engine, Jet)
  • Microsoft Office Suite | Excel | Project | Notion | Trello | Otter.ai
  • DoD Contracting & Compliance Familiarity

FLIGHT EXPERIENCE

  • 4,550+ PIC hours | 700 aircraft carrier arrested landings
  • Platforms: F/A-18 A-F (4,000 hrs), F-22A (250 hrs), F-16A/B (75 hrs)
  • Functional Check Flight (FCF) Pilot, F/A-18 A-F
  • Six combat deployments: Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria, Horn of Africa

Timeline

Chief Executive Officer

RAVN Aerospace
11.2022 - Current

Chief Operating Officer

Air USA, Inc.
05.2021 - 10.2022

President

The Tailhook Association / Tailhook Educational Foundation
01.2019 - 01.2023

Director, F/A-18E/F Transition Team

U.S. Navy Blue Angels
01.2019 - 01.2021

Commanding Officer & Flight Leader

Blue Angels, U.S. Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron
01.2017 - 01.2019

Commanding Officer / Executive Officer

Strike Fighter Squadron 113 (VFA-113)
01.2015 - 01.2017

Operational Test Pilot

422nd Test & Evaluation Squadron (TES)
01.2011 - 01.2015

TOPGUN Instructor / F/A-18 Combat Pilot

U.S. Navy
01.1996 - 01.2011

B.S. - Civil Engineering

Texas A&M University

Strike Fighter Tactics Instructor

U.S. Navy Fighter Weapons School (TOPGUN)

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