XSTAR Aviation Tests Jet Training for B-1 Pilots
A Shreveport-based contractor will fly civilian HondaJet aircraft to help Air Force B-1 pilots keep their flight proficiency.
Updated on Nov. 10, 2026 in Business Travel
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XSTAR Aviation, a Shreveport company founded by retired Air Force General Gerald Goodfellow, has launched a test program with Air Force Global Strike to provide flight training for B-1 pilots. The company was also awarded a planning contract to support B-52 pilot training.
Why it matters
Military pilots must fly regularly to stay proficient, and B-52 crews face proficiency challenges when aircraft are down for modernization overhauls. Contractor-operated civilian aircraft offer a way to keep pilots flying while those airframes are unavailable.
The program plans four two-hour flights per month using HondaJet HA-420 aircraft with a 485 mph cruise speed and 43,000-foot service ceiling. The test's cost outcome and expansion timeline have not been disclosed.
The players
XSTAR Aviation
A Shreveport-based company and portfolio company of BRF's Entrepreneurial Accelerator Program that provides contractor-operated flight training services.
Gerald Goodfellow
A retired Air Force general who founded XSTAR Aviation and serves as its chief executive officer.
The details
XSTAR will own the HondaJet aircraft and operate the flights under a contractor-owned, contractor-operated model. Current training serves pilots at Dyess Air Force Base flying from Abilene Regional Airport, and Ellsworth Air Force Base crews will fly from Rapid City Regional Airport.
Timeline
Four two-hour training flights are planned each month, with additional flights based on operational needs.
Travel Outlook
The HondaJet HA-420, a civilian business jet capable of 485 mph and 43,000-foot altitude, is being repurposed here for military flight training rather than executive travel. This shift shows how private aviation assets are increasingly used to fill operational gaps in military pilot proficiency programs.
Travelers and aviation enthusiasts should note that HondaJet HA-420 aircraft are being used for military training flights out of Abilene and Rapid City regional airports. These flights are scheduled to occur monthly, so they may affect general aviation traffic at those airports.
The takeaway
Private business jets are finding new roles in military readiness, and contractor-operated models may become a practical tool for keeping pilots flying. Watch for whether this test expands beyond the initial bases.
Further reading
For more on corporate and aviation travel trends, see Business Travel in Shreveport.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Shreveport-Bossier City Advocate.
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