FLY1200 x Goodwin: Flying Clear Skies

After years inside charter, Drake Sneed and Reid Postle kept seeing the same problems repeat themselves: limited sourcing options, clunky payments, slow proposals, and back-office complexity that weighed down the client experience.

They spotted an opportunity, identified their niche and then decided to take the leap.

But launching a brokerage raised tough questions:

• Who do we hire?
• How do we win new clients?
• What software can actually connect the dots?

Drake and Reid knew their strengths. They excelled at building client relationships and closing deals but they needed a strong back-office solution to match their ambition.

And that’s when FLY1200 was born using the Goodwin platform. They wanted a unique name, nothing with ‘jet’ or ‘aviation’. When you squawk 1200, you’re on a VFR Transponder Frequency and for pilots, that means clear skies. FLY1200 means they’re flying clear skies. Subtle, but meaningful—that’s why they choose it.

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Enter Goodwin

Goodwin provided everything FLY1200 needed to start—and scale:

• Sourcing support that dramatically cut turnaround times.
• Automated, branded proposals that clients could approve by text.
• Flexible payment options that replaced lengthy industry processes.
• Back-office execution that freed Drake and Reid to stay client-focused.
  
  

“We needed everything Goodwin had to offer to get started,” said Drake Sneed, Co-Founder of FLY1200. “It’s what gave us the courage to take on the journey.”

Reid Postle, Co-Founder of FLY1200, added: “If it wasn’t for Goodwin, we wouldn’t be growing nearly as fast.”

From the Goodwin side, the partnership was just as clear.

“What stood out about Drake and Reid was their vision and drive,” said Tolga, Co-Founder of Goodwin. “They weren’t just starting a brokerage—they were building a new model that put transparency and execution first. We knew Goodwin could be the engine that powered that vision.”

Breaking Down Barriers

Early on, Drake explained how Goodwin opened doors that had been closed in his past roles.

“In my earlier career, my options were often limited to certain fleets,” Drake recalled. “They were excellent fleets, but not always the right fit for every client. With Goodwin, everything opened up. We became like independent financial advisors in aviation—fiduciaries, really. We can align the best option to the client, eliminate awkward barriers, and build real trust.”

Tolga agreed: “That’s the difference we want our partners to feel—freedom of choice, speed to execution, and confidence with every booking. FLY1200 has embodied that perfectly.”

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Speed, Execution, and Trust

Drake often points to execution as the defining edge.

“When somebody calls us, they want to know what it’s going to cost to get from point A to point B,” he said. “The Goodwin platform lets us answer right away—and more importantly, execute immediately. If someone asks, ‘What’s the cost from Cincinnati to Naples?’ I can tell them on the spot. If they say, ‘Let’s do it,’ within 15 minutes we’ve sent the proposal, taken payment, and secured the aircraft. That’s the difference between us and everyone else.”

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The Right Time to Leap

After more than a decade working for some of the best operators and brands in the business, Drake knew it was time.

“At some point I decided—if I’m going to do this, I want to do it for myself,” he said. “I was fortunate to have partners like Reid Postle and Christian Weaver join me, and together we kicked the door open. Goodwin gave us a trust platform: complete pricing transparency, no awkward channels, just alignment with customers. It’s been a blessing to finally work for clients instead of fighting against the industry’s old constraints.”

From Startup to Scale

With Goodwin powering the back end, FLY1200 grew fast.

• In just 12 months, FLY1200 scaled 10x in volume.
• What started with a handful of trips now handles dozens of complex bookings a month—without hiring a large operations team.
• Projections point to 100x growth within five years.
  
  

The stories behind the numbers speak volumes:

• A client booked the Ohio State vs. Notre Dame game weeks in advance. On game day, their aircraft was grounded in Michigan. Within hours, Goodwin sourced a replacement, and the client made it to the game 30 minutes before kickoff.
• Another client received a proposal at 7 PM, signed it that night, and was wheels up at 8 AM the next morning.

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The Competitive Edge

FLY1200’s clients now see a polished, professional brokerage with unmatched execution.

“Goodwin gave us the ability to punch way above our weight,” said the founders. “We’re winning deals against firms ten times our size—not because we outstaff them, but because we out-execute them.”

Tolga summed it up simply: “FLY1200 is proof of what happens when entrepreneurs bring vision and hustle, and Goodwin supplies the infrastructure. Together, we’ve taken an idea and turned it into a contender in record time.”

Looking Ahead

From two entrepreneurs, to a brokerage growing faster than anyone expected, FLY1200’s story is still just beginning. With Goodwin as a partner, they’ve proven what’s possible when grit and technology align. Here’s to the next 10 years ahead. 

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