The Navy says Paramount’s 1986 classic fighter-pilot flick Top Gun persuaded men and women to join up in numbers not seen before or since. Over a cup of coffee near St. Maarten’s famous Maho Beach (pre-Hurricane Irma), Rob Ceravolo told me the film worked some of its magic on him and was at least partially responsible for him joining in 2001. “My entire life I wanted to be a fighter pilot. It’s so cool, I thought. They get to ride motorcycles, go to Top Gun, wear flight suits and cool sunglasses and date their instructors.” He went on to fly F-14s before moving on to the F-18 and finally the F-5 after completing Top Gun’s Red Air training.
Pilots of the Caribbean
Key Takeaways:
- Former Navy fighter pilot Rob Ceravolo founded Tropic Ocean Airways, driven by an adventurous spirit and perseverance despite lacking initial business experience and capital.
- The airline's success is rooted in Navy-inspired principles, prioritizing hiring for attitude, fostering a "just culture" for learning from mistakes, and implementing continuous, rigorous training for all staff.
- Tropic Ocean Airways distinguishes itself through a strong customer-centric focus, significant investment in employee development, and enhanced safety measures like two-pilot crews, aiming for universal passenger satisfaction and return.
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