Business Details
50+ Years
experience
Aviation-Specific Financial & Career Guidance Experts
Established in 1972, FAPA Advisory Services Team (FAST) has dedicated its expertise to addressing the unique career and financial challenges faced by professional pilots. As a wholly owned subsidiary of FAPA.aero, we combine decades of aviation industry knowledge with personalized financial and career guidance. Our team of certified financial planners, experienced interview coaches, and aviation professionals delivers tailored solutions that align with pilots' distinct career trajectories, including mandatory retirement planning and tax optimization.We operate as fiduciaries, prioritizing client needs over commissions while maintaining transparency in all advisory services. Our legacy of trust is built on actionable insights, industry-specific expertise, and a commitment to empowering pilots through every career transition and financial decision.
Services
Interview Coaching
Career Counseling
Financial Planning
Retirement Planning
Investment Management
Tax Guidance
Social Security Optimization
Estate Planning
Details
- Year established: 1972
Highlights and features
- Certified financial planners with aviation industry specialization
- Proven interview coaching from former airline recruiters
- Fiduciary commitment to conflict-free advisory services
- Tailored retirement strategies for mandatory retirement age compliance
- Comprehensive financial planning addressing aviation career cycles
Services
Financial Planning
Our aviation-focused financial planning creates personalized roadmaps for pilots at every career stage. We address industry-specific challenges like mandatory retirement age compliance, contract cycle management, and tax optimization. Our fiduciary approach ensures conflict-free advice prioritizing long-term financial security through customized investment strategies and risk management frameworks.
Interview Coaching
Led by former airline recruiters, our interview coaching develops effective communication strategies for aviation job candidates. We provide scenario-based training covering technical questions, behavioral assessments, and resume optimization. Our proven methods help pilots articulate their qualifications while meeting airline cultural and operational requirements through personalized feedback sessions.
Retirement Planning
Designed for pilots facing mandatory retirement at age 65, our retirement planning integrates investment management with lifestyle transition strategies. We develop phased withdrawal plans, Social Security optimization techniques, and post-retirement career opportunities. Our approach ensures financial independence while addressing aviation professionals' unique career timelines and income patterns.
Investment Management
Customized portfolio management balances risk and reward for pilots' specific career trajectories. We implement globally diversified investment strategies with low-cost structures while maintaining compliance with fiduciary standards. Our approach adapts to changing career stages, from early-career growth phases to retirement distribution planning using evidence-based investment methodologies.
Tax Guidance
Specialized tax planning services maximize income retention through strategic deduction utilization and credit optimization. We address aviation-specific tax considerations including duty-hour related expenses and cross-border tax implications. Our guidance integrates with overall financial planning to minimize tax liabilities across career transitions and retirement phases.
People
Crys La Fata
Interview Coach
Former talent acquisitions manager with 10+ years aviation recruitment experience. Certified HR professional and published author in interview strategy. Specializes in pilot-to-airline transition coaching and cultural fit assessment.
Tim Genc
Chief Career Advisor
Certified flight instructor with 17 years aviation training experience. Host of 'FAPA Talk' podcast featuring industry hiring leaders. Expert in resume development and interview preparation for aviation professionals.
Tom Smith
Vice President, CFP
CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER with 15+ years investment banking experience. Former Merrill Lynch vice president specializing in fixed income securities. Provides fiduciary financial planning services tailored to pilots' career cycles.
Louis Smith
Founder
Retired Northwest Airlines captain with 30+ years commercial aviation experience. Air Force veteran and industry commentator featured in Wall Street Journal and CNN. Established FAPA.aero as aviation career resource platform.
Mike Tobiason
Managing Member
CPA with 30+ years public accounting experience. Former KPMG auditor and business valuation expert. Specializes in small business tax planning and financial strategy for aviation professionals.
Questions
What aviation career stages do you support?
We assist pilots at all career phases from initial airline interviews through retirement planning. Our services address unique challenges for new hires, mid-career professionals, and pre-retirement pilots facing mandatory age limits.
How do you handle pilot-specific tax issues?
Our tax guidance addresses aviation-specific considerations including duty-hour related deductions, cross-border tax implications, and retirement account optimization tailored to pilots' irregular income patterns.
What investment approach do you use?
We implement globally diversified, low-cost investment strategies based on modern portfolio theory. Our evidence-based approach balances risk and reward while adapting to pilots' career timelines and retirement needs.
How does your fiduciary status benefit clients?
As fiduciaries, we're legally obligated to prioritize client interests over commissions. This ensures unbiased advice without product sales incentives, maintaining full transparency in all financial recommendations.
Do you offer post-retirement career support?
Yes, our parent company FAPA.aero provides complimentary job-hunting services for retired pilots seeking post-65 career opportunities, including international flying positions and aviation consulting roles.
How are your fees structured?
We use transparent fee-only pricing with no hidden commissions. Costs vary by service complexity - financial planning starts at $2,500/year and interview coaching packages begin at $1,200.
