How to Buy a Private Jet from Cole White

Some people take the long way to find what they’re meant to do. Cole White just took the scenic route. Through West Point, the Pittsburgh Pirates, and finally into private aviation.

“In high school, I had a few opportunities to play Division 1 baseball, West Point being one of them,” he says. “Knowing that baseball would end someday and my desire to serve my country, I chose West Point where I was able to play baseball, receive a world class education, and learn from the top leadership institution in the world.””

That choice set the tone for everything that came next. After graduation, Cole was drafted by the Pittsburgh Pirates and served two active years in the Army before heading into the minor league system.

When his baseball career ended, he wasn’t sure what would come next, until a West Point connection introduced him to a Dallas-based aircraft brokerage firm. “With no aviation background, I interviewed, and they were gracious enough to give me an opportunity,” he says. “Day one in the business, I boarded a Gulfstream G550 and was hooked.”

He spent years learning the business, working as a private aviation consultant before moving into sales. “It was here where I truly learned the ins and outs of business aviation and how to add value to clients looking to use these aircraft as their personal ‘time machines,’” he explains. That client-first mindset eventually led him to launch his own company.

The Entrepreneurial Story of Legion Aviation

After nearly a decade in the industry, Cole decided it was time to build something of his own.

Starting his own firm wasn’t just about independence. It was about balance. “Once we had our second kid, I started realizing that I wanted more control over my time and schedule. Being a father is the most important thing to me and I want to be present as often as I can be.”

The aviation industry is constantly on the move and travel is inevitable, but as an owner, Cole now enjoys the chance to be more strategic with his schedule, meaning he can prioritize success both as a business owner and a family man.

The Business of Flight

Most people know flying private is expensive but few realize how much it really costs. “Buying the plane is not necessarily the challenge,” Cole says. “But the year over year cost to operate is typically the limiting factor for many as they choose to own vs. charter/jet card/fractional ownership.”

That’s where Legion Aviation comes in. “It is my job to help people see the full picture and the tradeoffs of going ownership vs. the other options.”

With Legion Aviation, he’s built a business that’s as much about trust as it is about aircraft. His approach blends technical expertise with the kind of disciplined decision-making that traces straight back to his military roots.

“I really enjoy what I do,” Cole says. “It can definitely be a challenge to fully disconnect sometimes, but I’ve learned how important it is to set appropriate boundaries. My military background gave me a strong sense of structure and discipline… setting daily goals, staying flexible, and focusing on the small wins that keep things moving forward.”

Defining Success

Ask Cole what success looks like, and his answer isn’t about the number of planes sold. “Success for me is working with and building my Legion Aviation team,” he says. “Supporting them in all areas of life and creating an environment where I can spend as much time with my family as possible.”

He pauses and adds, “I want to earn a buck just as much as the next business owner, but time with the people that matter most will always be my motivator.”

And when he’s on the go, there’s one thing he’s always wearing: Mizzen+Main. Cole shares that he’s a big fan of the Leeward Dress Shirt and Helmsman Chinos, but ask him to pick just one favorite and he’ll have trouble keeping the list short.

For whatever your next travel day looks like, start with Mizzen+Main. And if you want to buy a plane yourself, talk to Cole White. Either way, you can trust that you’re in good hands.