Jonathan Evans of KinectAir On The Future Of Air Travel In The Post Pandemic World

As part of our series about “The Future Of Air Travel”, I had the pleasure of interviewing Jonathan Evans.

KinectAir was conceived by Jonathan, a lifelong aviator, after selling his drone software company, Skyward, to Verizon in February of 2017. Where Skyward connected drones to the cellular networks and developed and patented the ‘digital skyways for drones’ and their integration into regulated airspace, KinectAir is founded on Jonathan’s original passion for flying machines that can move people around. Seeing the scarcity of software or network effects in charter today, he set about assembling a team of aviation and software experts to fulfill his dream of building a truly on-demand flight network into one of the last great industries yet to become software-defined. Before Skyward, Jonathan flew in commercial helicopter roles such as Life Flight, and was at one time the youngest aviator in the Army, flying UH-60 Blackhawk, MEDEVAC and VIP helicopters.

Thank you so much for joining us in this interview series! Before we dive in, our readers would love to get to know you a bit better. Can you tell us a story about what brought you to this specific career path?

Mycareer path seems to be following the classic three act play template. It started in aviation during my time in the military. After dropping out of college and enlisting in 1997, I was fortunate to be selected for flight school as a Warrant Officer in the Army. Because of this rare and arguably haphazard early path, I became the youngest aviator in the U.S. military (for a few weeks) when I earned my wings in January 2000. I flew UH60 Blackhawks for six years in Germany, Kosovo, and D.C., before being honorably discharged in January 2006 and then flying mostly ambulances all over the U.S. West for my first five years as a civilian.

Being a first responder and flying helicopters for the military were incredible experiences that ignited my boyhood love for aviation and aerospace, gave it a true purpose, and made it my first career. I wanted to continue making a difference in the industry and saw an opportunity in the emerging commercial drone space back in 2012, albeit before it was even legal to fly drones commercially! This led me to co-found Skyward, a software company for drone fleet management and digital access to regulated airspace, to unlock the full potential of what I saw as a rising-tide technology and the bleeding edge in flying machines as they became truly software-defined. We were venture-backed, and one of our earliest investors to share the vision of a ‘software-defined network of connected flying robots’ was Verizon’s venture arm. Five years after its inception, I was very fortunate to sell my first company to VZ in 2017, and learned so much through this challenging transition to integrate the startup kernel of the Skyward project into the industrial category it could become as Verizon.

Ultimately, this offered me a new platform and inspiration to continue to try to create the ‘art of the possible’ at the intersection of tech and human experience for my beloved — and still for the most part analog — Aviation Industry, in an era defined now almost entirely by software and connectivity, and increasingly by AI. I guess you could say I started the third act of my career path when we co-founded KinectAir in 2019 to bring these two great technological rivers from my first two careers in Aviation and Software to a confluence, and to truly empower people with the joy of flying frictionlessly from point-to-point in their own personal geography and time.

Can you share the most interesting story that happened to you since you started your career?

I’m latching onto the ‘happened to you’ part of the question. It’s interesting, this dance, between the paths we choose to walk, and what they then offer us as we do. When I think about an interesting story that ‘happened to me,’ I’m brought back to a drone conference in Denver when I took a call from a captive recruiter to the board of Airbus. It was an odd meeting request for where we were on the venture-backed Skyward journey at that time, and my colleague even raised an eyebrow as to why I was taking it. The Airbus guy’s opening questions were indeed centered on a recruiting effort to have me potentially lead a new drone division, and when I realized where it was headed, as exciting as it was, I politely declined and told him how much I loved leading the company I’d already started.

But here’s the thing about that dance with the path: When the path presented this new junction, I started walking down it with curiosity to see where it might lead, and asked him if they might be interested in acquiring the entire Skyward team to start this new division. To my astonishment, he said they would, and asked when we could fly to Munich to meet. My next call was to our investor from Verizon with the great news, and as the path unfolded further, it brought the next ‘interesting thing to happen to me’ in the form of — until then a completely opaque, undiscussed, and yet fully baked — formal acquisition offer from Verizon the next day before we could even make the travel arrangements to Munich. From that junction, it was clear the next part of my path would be about trying to bring the innovation of a startup to the scale of a global telco. And as wonderful and freeing a moment as this was, looking back, there was still so much hiking to do.

Can you share a story about the funniest mistake you made when you were first starting? Can you tell us what lesson you learned from that?

I guess Army basic training was when I was ‘first starting out’ in my career in May of 1997 at Fort Knox, KY. The mistake I made was literally rooted in laughter at the time, but it was ephemeral. Our platoon was huddled on some bleachers at a shooting range waiting for the night fire exercise that had our collective young adrenaline completely abuzz in anticipation. A consummate extrovert feeling the potential energy, I got up in front of the fellas and started doing my best comedic impressions of our three formidable drill sergeants, without keeping my eye on how proximate my three roastees actually were to me and my audience. The roars of laughter welled in waves, as I joyfully remember, in turn pushing my bombastic impressions further to the edge of, ahem …, candor, and making them laugh even more. But then terror struck me when all of a sudden my comrades fell silent, stiff, and gaunt, sitting at attention with reverence to what I knew was approaching behind me. I instinctively joined them, the only one standing at attention, with my back to the approaching jury of my fate. After a frozen pause punctuated by the coldness of their judging, silent, and all-too-well-known glares, two of the drill sergeants, the ones you could always tell had a kindness inside, broke the silence with laughter and asked me to keep going.

The third drill sergeant, the pack’s true alpha and the one I always wanted most to impress, continued to watch my now half-hearted efforts with seething anger, petulance, and disdain. And he made the rest of my 16 sweltering weeks in Kentucky that summer an extra-special hell for me personally, almost with vindictiveness it seemed, from that moment forward. And I think, looking back on my choice, that evening really made months of my life much harder without any actual gain in the long run. But I gotta say, that loving, ephemeral laughter from my mates, and the fact that I share it now, makes me know it was actually worth it in the longer run.

Lesson learned, you ask? The 45-year-old me today has a lot of compassion for that guy. He truly embodied the angry archetype of a head drill sergeant you’d expect from the movies, but I can see now that his kind of sincerity for the role can only come from a whole bunch of personal pain. Hurt people hurt people, you know? The younger me couldn’t see it that way, of course, more a fierce mix of mentor and tyrant. The lesson for the 19-yr old on stage there that evening on the bleachers was to know your audience! And both of us still hope that guy finds a way to laugh in his life.

Which tips would you recommend to your colleagues in your industry to help them to thrive and not “burn out”? Can you share a story about that?

In a demanding industry like aviation, the ability to handle stress, both chronic and acute, is addressed as a medical factor from the earliest days of training. We learn as pilots to become actively self-aware and to ‘check ourselves’ for anything personally that could mitigate safety when we operate these machines — including mounting stress, lack of sleep, any kind of intoxication, or even a clouded emotional paradigm, as part of our pre-flight. An unexpected prototype from a rather khaki, regimented aviation culture for what could be called mindfulness and self-care these days, I’m glad I was brought to these concepts early as a young professional pilot. And I think they served me well for addressing the acute stressors and intensity of flying an air ambulance. But it was on the Skyward journey, as a first-time CEO responsible for a team and their paychecks, when I learned the insipid buildup of chronic stress and the edges of burnout, but also found new ways to thrive.

It was that terrible time of year for startups trying to raise money when all the investors seemed to disappear just before Thanksgiving, not to return with available meeting slots until Punxsutawney Phil took a gander at his shadow. The last hopeful email came into my inbox from a VC just before Christmas, and I could tell from the first line in the preview it was a “pass.” It seemed we were going to run out of money and I just couldn’t see a way we would survive at the time. I was also a new father with two babies in a stressed marriage. And no matter how many steps I walked and tracked, clever books I read, or wise souls I tried to talk things out with, the stress mounted, progressively destroyed my sleep, and spiraled me into an almost incapacitating place of helplessness. And it was clear that more drinking wasn’t making anything better.

With some desperation, I decided to try something I’d really only read about until then, and embarked on an almost daily meditation practice that has now lasted from that winter ten years ago through today. It is the most subtle and profound habit I have ever adopted. It brought me through that dark and difficult stretch like a medicine, and has continued to bring gathering clarity and magnanimity to my life since. Low-level anxiety has dissolved almost entirely through the years of meditation practice, and the stressors of life these days feel balanced and natural when they arise.

It took me some time to bring the practice to my leadership, and I was kind of a ‘closet meditator’ at Skyward and Verizon. But with KinectAir I’ve embraced mindfulness and meditation from the outset as work culture, and I think it’s the soil from which we all can blossom and thrive as a team. It starts with knowing ourselves with clarity, and taking care of ourselves as individuals first, so we can then see each other clearly and with empathy in a shared mindfulness in shared work. I have a belief that to be really good you need to start with yourself. It is not an easy task, but it will change the way you come across with others, embracing goodness and empathy for their lives as a starting point. We all have access to meditation and this practice has enabled me to really focus on being the best version of myself. At KinectAir, I encourage everyone to start with meditation and we offer to pay for a good app like ‘Waking Up’ by Sam Harris as a benefit.

None of us are able to achieve success without some help along the way. Is there a particular person who you are grateful towards who helped get you to where you are? Can you share a story?

My grandfather, a retired Delta pilot and former naval aviator, played a pivotal role in shaping my career and values. Growing up on our New Hampshire farm, he instilled in me a strong work ethic and entrepreneurial spirit. One summer, he helped me establish a wholesale agreement with our farm, allowing me to set up my own retail stand at the local farmer’s market.

Rather than receiving a fixed wage, I had the opportunity to earn based on my own efforts. This experience taught me the value of hard work, initiative, and taking ownership of my endeavors. It was a transformative lesson in entrepreneurship, where I learned firsthand about the challenges and rewards of running a business.

Carrying my grandfather’s lessons with me, I ventured into the world of aviation, fueled by my passion for flight and the pursuit of purpose. His guidance continues to inspire me as I navigate the skies and seek to make a positive impact through innovation.

Can you share with our readers how you have used your success to bring goodness to the world?

Through teaching a model rocketry and aerospace innovation lab at my kids’ school, I have the opportunity to inspire young minds and ignite their passion for aerospace, STEM, and the power of innovation. It is a way for me to share my knowledge and encourage the next generation to think creatively, solve problems, and make a difference.

In my role at KinectAir, I am committed to creating a work culture that values purpose and well-being. We prioritize the personal growth and fulfillment of our team members, allowing them to contribute their best selves to our mission of transforming air travel.

Additionally, I am passionate about environmental sustainability. We are actively working towards integrating greener technologies and practices into our operations, from electric and hybrid aircraft to optimized flight routes and sustainable aviation fuel. By doing so, we aim to reduce our carbon footprint and contribute to a more sustainable future.

Thank you for that. Let’s jump to the core of our discussion. Can you share with our readers about the innovations that you are bringing to the Aviation and Air Travel industries?

Absolutely! I’d love to delve into how we at KinectAir are reshaping the Aviation and Air Travel industries. I often look back on how smartphones revolutionized our lives, providing unprecedented connectivity and access to information right at our fingertips. I believe that such a transformation has not only been possible, but also necessary, in aviation.

As an aviator, I recognized that air travel had many layers of complexity, resulting in inefficiency and, more importantly, a lack of freedom for passengers to define their own flying experiences. It seemed to me that air travel was one of the last bastions of analog systems in a digital world, especially when compared to the fluidity we now have in most other aspects of our lives.

To address this, we founded KinectAir, envisioning a transformation for air travel akin to what smartphones achieved for communication. By integrating the latest advancements in software, connectivity, and artificial intelligence, we are creating a network that brings together pilots, aircraft, and passengers in a way that was not possible before.

Our app is designed to be a digital bridge for aviation, connecting passengers with available aircraft in a matter of clicks. It offers flexibility and control over their flight plans, making air travel as easy as ordering a ride-share. But the innovation is not just on the passenger side; it also extends to pilots and aircraft operators by providing them with software tools that streamline their operations, increase efficiency, and improve safety.

In a nutshell, KinectAir is leveraging the power of technology to reinvent air travel, making it more accessible, personalized, and efficient for everyone involved. I believe this is not just the future of aviation; it’s the present we’re building.

Which “pain point” are you trying to address by introducing these innovations?

Consider traditional air travel: constrained schedules, crowded airports, one-size-fits-all experiences, and environmental concerns. Quite frustrating, isn’t it? KinectAir aims to change this narrative.

Firstly, we restore the joy of flight. Through our technology, booking a flight is as simple as using your smartphone to call a taxi. Your schedule, your destination, your air travel experience are finally personalized and accessible.

Secondly, KinectAir is not just about getting you from point A to B. We’re about crafting unique sky journeys. You choose the timing, routes, and even the aircraft — turning each flight into a custom adventure.

Lastly, we take environmental concerns seriously. By investing in electric aviation and leveraging AI for operational efficiency, we are driving down the carbon footprint of each journey.

KinectAir’s mission is to redefine air travel, making it accessible, customized, and sustainable, because we believe everyone deserves a unique, enjoyable, and conscientious journey through the skies.

How do you envision that this might disrupt the status quo?

Innovation always disrupts the status quo and aviation is no different. With KinectAir, we’re entering an era where air travel isn’t just for the privileged few. It’s about democratizing the skies and bringing down the barriers that have traditionally made air travel costly and cumbersome.

Think about the process of air travel today, the constraints of commercial flight schedules, the queues, the stress. Now, picture a world where summoning a flight is as simple as booking a ride on your smartphone. We’re making that possible by optimizing our network using advanced AI algorithms, which allows us to offer flexible and cost-effective air travel.

The adoption of electric aircraft is another significant aspect of this disruption. Electrification is poised to revolutionize aviation by drastically reducing operating costs and making flights quieter and more environmentally friendly. This transition to electric propulsion systems means we can pass on significant savings to our customers, making personal air travel affordable.

Automation also plays a crucial role in this new era. By incorporating automated systems, we’re reducing human error and increasing safety, while simultaneously improving operational efficiency. This integration of advanced technology not only elevates the flight experience for passengers but also brings air travel within reach of a much broader audience.

So, the disruption that KinectAir brings to the status quo is multifaceted. It’s about making air travel more personal, flexible, and cost-effective. It’s about creating a world where air travel becomes a pleasure within everyone’s reach, rather than a privilege. This is the future we envision — an air travel revolution that empowers everyone to take to the skies.

Are there exciting new technologies that are coming out in the next few years that will improve the Air Travel experience? We’d love to learn about what you have heard.

Picture an aviation ecosystem fully connected by a new, comprehensive digital infrastructure. This isn’t just about improving passenger internet connectivity, but rather the creation of a high-speed, low-latency network that binds together all elements of aviation. Everything from aircraft to ATC towers will operate like coordinated nodes in a massive ‘Flying Internet of Things’ (IoT). The implications are profound, from enhancing safety protocols and operations to redefining passenger experiences.

In this evolving aviation landscape, Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) plays a crucial role. AAM represents the convergence of electrification, automation, and connectivity in aviation, paving the way for electric and autonomous aircraft. These aircraft will not only be kinder to our planet by reducing carbon emissions, but also make air travel more accessible by driving down costs.

As you know, the Pandemic changed the world as we know it. For the benefit of our readers, can you help spell out a few examples of how the Pandemic has specifically impacted Air Travel?

One of the most significant changes brought about by the pandemic is the shift in flight schedules and routes. As remote and hybrid work models have become the new norm, people are embracing the opportunity to live in more beautiful, distributed locations, away from densely populated urban centers. While traditional airlines have retracted, innovative air travel services like KinectAir have risen to meet these evolving needs, offering a more flexible, point-to-point travel experience. This development emphasizes that physical connectivity to workplaces or city centers, especially through seamless air travel, is a vital part of this transformation.

Moreover, the pandemic has accelerated the digital transformation within the aviation industry. Greater communication efficiency among dispersed teams is now a necessity, digital health passports have streamlined passenger verification processes, and artificial intelligence is being leveraged to optimize operations.

Lastly, the pandemic underscored the importance of resilient and flexible supply chains in aviation. This was particularly evident when airlines played a critical role in the global transportation of vaccines and other medical supplies. Consequently, the aviation industry now emphasizes creating agile logistics networks and leveraging cargo capabilities more effectively.

Can you share five examples of how the Air Travel experience might change over the next few years to address the new realities brought by the Pandemic? If you can, please give an example for each.

Certainly, let’s modify the perspective:

1. Shift to On-Demand Flight Services: Travel is becoming more personalized and less predictable. As such, we will likely see a rise in services that offer on-demand air travel, where flights are scheduled based on passenger needs rather than set timetables. This transition will empower travelers with control over their own schedules.

Example: Imagine an executive being able to schedule a flight from a local airport to a cross-country meeting, bypassing inflexible airline schedules.

2. Advent of Mesh Networks: As airlines have pulled back from less popular routes due to the pandemic, new opportunities emerge for a decentralized, mesh network of flights that connect smaller airports. This offers more direct, point-to-point routes and could potentially fill the gaps left by larger airlines.

Example: A resident of a small coastal town may soon be able to fly directly to a mountain resort, circumventing the need for large airport hubs and multiple connecting flights.

3. Renaissance of Local Airports: With the shift toward decentralization, smaller, local airports are expected to thrive. Their increased usage not only improves accessibility for remote communities but also bolsters local economies.

Example: Frequent flights to and from a small regional airport can infuse life into local economies by attracting new businesses and tourism.

4. Rise of Subscription-Based Flight Services: With the need for greater flexibility, subscription-based flight services are set to rise. These services cater to the unpredictability of travel plans and enable the aggregation of demand onto larger aircraft like the Dash-8, inverting the traditional top-down model of air travel.

Example: A regular traveler subscribes to a flight service and can book last-minute flights without worrying about hefty fees or seat availability.

5. Green Skies Ahead: In response to growing concerns about climate change, the aviation industry is set to see more sustainable air travel options, including the rise of electric aircraft. KinectAir, for instance, is one company embracing this shift.

Example: A traveler books a flight on an electric plane, thereby reducing their carbon footprint and contributing to a more sustainable future for air travel.

You are a person of great influence. If you could start a movement that would bring the most amount of good to the most amount of people, what would that be? You never know what your idea can trigger. :-)

If I were to ignite a movement for the greater good, it would be to inspire the younger generation to look up at the vast skies with awe and embrace the spirit of innovation that drives groundbreaking projects like SpaceX and KinectAir. To further this mission, I started teaching an aerospace innovation lab at my kids’ school.

In this lab, students embark on an exciting journey of exploration, where they learn the principles of aerospace and STEM while fostering their creativity and problem-solving skills. Through a build, measure, learn process, they iterate towards the contest goal of launching the most weight to the highest altitude for the least cost. This goal mirrors the incredible innovation engine that companies like SpaceX employ to revolutionize space travel.

By encouraging students to think like innovators, iterate towards optimization, and strive for elegance in design, we aim to instill in them a mindset that can shape an increasingly improved world. It is my belief that by nurturing their curiosity and teaching them the power of innovation, we can empower the next generation of engineers, scientists, and visionaries to push the boundaries of what’s possible and create a brighter future for all.

How can our readers further follow your work online?

Thanks for the discussion! I really enjoyed it. Your readers can follow our work or book flights in the Pacific Northwest at KinectAir.com or follow my journey at Linkedin! I would love to hear from you!

This was very inspiring. Thank you so much for joining us!