Repo Man Given Six Hours to Locate 20 Pilots for Spirit Airlines Jet Seizure

People behind on car payments are not the only ones who might see a repossession. Recently, Spirit Airlines went out of business, leaving its aircraft in various locations across the country. The Wall Street Journal reported that Nomadic Aviation Group is responsible for recovering these planes and putting them into storage.

Spirit Airlines leased its aircraft instead of buying them outright. Last year, the airline declared bankruptcy for the second time and had already tried to return half of its fleet. Although the shutdown was expected, it happened quickly. Spirit’s planes landed wherever their last flights ended, with some even left at gates where passengers disembarked, blocking access. There were no Spirit employees available to move the aircraft.

Nomadic Aviation now steps in to retrieve these planes. They must check if the aircraft are still safe to fly before relocating them to a storage facility. Co-founder Bob Allen faced a tight deadline, saying he had just six hours to find 20 pilots to help move the planes.

Recovering an aircraft involves more than just towing it away. Nomadic has to arrange fuel, flight plans, and crew, and ensure each plane is airworthy. Most will go to storage facilities in Arizona because the dry climate prevents damage. The future of Spirit’s fleet depends on decisions made by the leasing companies that own them.

How much do you know?

What airline recently went out of business?

Spirit Airlines

Nomadic Aviation Group

American Airlines

Delta Airlines

Who is responsible for recovering the aircraft left by Spirit Airlines?

The airline itself

Nomadic Aviation Group

FAA

Local government

How many pilots did Nomadic Aviation need to find within six hours?

10

20

30

40

Where is it expected most of Spirit's aircraft will be stored?

California

New York

Florida

Arizona

What was the state of Spirit Airlines when it declared bankruptcy?

Recovering

Stable

Going out of business

Thriving

What is one of the responsibilities of Nomadic Aviation when retrieving the aircraft?

Building new planes

Arranging flight plans and crew

Selling the planes

Repairing damaged planes

Spirit Airlines bought all of its aircraft outright.

True False

Nomadic Aviation Group is responsible for moving Spirit Airlines' planes to storage.

True False

Bob Allen is the only person involved in retrieving Spirit's aircraft.

True False

Spirit Airlines had previously declared bankruptcy once before.

True False

The climate in Arizona is conducive to preventing damage to stored aircraft.

True False

Recovering an aircraft is as simple as towing it away.

True False

Spirit Airlines declared bankruptcy for the second time last year and had already tried to return half of its fleet. The shutdown was expected, but it happened .

Nomadic Aviation has to ensure each plane is before relocating them.

The future of Spirit's fleet depends on decisions made by the leasing companies that them.

Recovering an aircraft involves more than just it away.

Most of Spirit's aircraft will go to storage facilities in Arizona because the dry climate damage.

Bob Allen faced a tight deadline, saying he had just six hours to find pilots to help move the planes.

This question is required