Guiding clients through the world of private jet ownership since 2010.
OUR MISSION IS TO transform the experience of jet ownership through personalized service, education, and long-term, collaborative partnerships.
After over a decade of service, DSA has become the premier private aviation consultant for the delivery, sale, and/or acquisition of new and used jet aircraft. We provide the rare clarity needed to confidently navigate through the cloudy process of business jet ownership.
We take pride in representing and sourcing the best aircraft uniquely suited to your requirements with transparency, expertise, and patience.
Derrick Schmidt Aviation draws its name from the foremost Cessna Citation jet expert, Derrick Schmidt. Derrick grew up in the Cessna – Wichita family, mentored by his father who holds the first single pilot type rating issued in a Citation jet. Derrick’s mastery comes from over 20 years as a tenured Textron (Cessna) factory A&P and test pilot. He has logged over 10,000 hours as a test pilot in Citation jets of every series from the early 500s through to the latest Citation models. Derrick is also a longstanding member of the elite Society of Experimental Test Pilots (SETP).
The team at Derrick Schmidt Aviation offers over half a century of technical, operational, sales, and marketing experience with corporate flight departments, charter companies, private jet owners and high net worth individuals. Our team is built on our diversity of knowledge and unwavering commitment to our customers. We recognize that without every one of our valued partners, we would not be where we are today. With that ethos, we continue to deliver on our promise of superior outcomes, one aircraft at a time, one customer at a time.
Meet the Team
Derrick Schmidt // Founder + Managing Partner
With over three decades of combined experience as an A&P mechanic with the Cessna Citation Service Center, a corporate pilot in Cessna’s in-house Air Transportation Department, and over 15 years flying and evaluating aircraft as a Senior Production Test Pilot and Product Specialist on the Citation X and the Citation 650, no one in the business is better equipped to evaluate or operate a Citation than Derrick Schmidt.
Derrick has test flown aircraft since his 20’s, inducted as a member of the Society of Experimental Test Pilots (SETP) a decade later. He’s an ATP with operational knowledge spanning every Citation model, from the original 500’s through the 750 (Citation X).
Patrick O’Brien // Managing Partner
Patrick’s background in sales and business aviation has been the backbone of DSA’s consulting business since inception. His expertise in market and trend analysis, sales forecasting, and contract and legal perspective complements his strong sales and technical background.
In addition to being a flight instructor (CFII, MEI) and ATP type-rated pilot in the Citation 525 and 560 XL series aircraft, Patrick’s breadth of knowledge, experience, and capability ensures that each of DSA’s clients has access to in-depth evaluations, analysis, and a complete picture of the micro and macro business jet markets.
Testimonials
Steve S, Hawker 900XP Acquisition
“Thanks for getting me the greatest deal on the planet and treating every step of the process as if it were your own aircraft.”
Stuart Fred, CJ3 Owner
“Derrick certainly adds value to the completion of the process, as he is a former production pilot for Cessna as well as a A&P from the old days in the Cessna Service Center and he knows his stuff.”
Bernard Little, CJ4 Owner
“I retained the services of Derrick Schmidt . . . to assist me with the delivery acceptance of my new CJ4 this past week, and it was one of the smartest decisions I have made in a long time! I would highly recommend Derrick to anyone taking delivery of a new/used Cessna Citation aircraft.”
Mark Aloe, CJ3 Owner
“I cannot speak any more highly of the expertise and professionalism that Derrick showed doing the acceptance of my CJ3. It was well worth the money and saved me probably three or four more trips back to the Cessna Service Center after delivery, which would’ve been on my dime.”
Neil Douglas, CJ4 Owner
“Derrick is the best. He has added considerable value during and post delivery.”
Barry Stamm, M2 Owner
“This is an endorsement (unsolicited by Derrick) from someone who had a great experience using Derrick during both the delivery process of my M2 and during the mentoring time.”