Leadership Team
Ken Zedan
President
Ken Zedan is a distinguished operations executive and professional aviator with an extensive career in the airline industry, renowned for his leadership and operational execution, as well as customer experience.
Ken began his aviation journey in 1997, flying both B737 and A320.
He has served in senior leadership roles as SVP/DO, responsible for all operational functions, while maintaining a strong commitment to safety and regulatory compliance.
Ken also demonstrated his expertise at a major US carrier as an A320 and B737 Captain, Chief Pilot, and head of Airbus Fleet programs, including the FCF program. Also, his tenure at a luxury airline as COO and President highlighted his ability to lead global operations across multiple AOCs in the US, UK, and EU.
Ken brings clarity, structure, and a collaborative approach, which was also evident when he served as Director of Flight Standards and Quality Assurance, Flight Standards Captain and Senior Check Pilot that further solidified his understanding of aircraft delivery processes, training, and fleet programs.
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He holds a Bachelor's Degree in Economics from the University of Central Florida and MBA from Regis University.​
Sven Austermeier
VP Operations
As one of the co-founders of Redwood Flight Solutions, Sven Austermeier brings with him over 27 years of commercial airline experience, with the majority on the A-320 and B-737 fleets. He gained extensive experience as a Check pilot as well as PC check pilot. Later, he moved into the roll of Flight Standards Captain responsible for standardization of airline policies and procedures among the pilot group.
He was also part of ETOPS certification and proving runs as well as merger integration between two major airlines. He was part of the new aircraft deliveries along with entry into service for the A-321NEO. Most recently over the past 10 years doing functional ground and check flights including working with dozens of leasing companies on lease returns. Sven began his aviation career in 1999 flying for an express carrier and then several other airlines flying on mostly international routes. He has a Bachelor of Science in Aeronautical Technology from Arizona State University.
Bryan Eakins
VP Contracts and Planning
As a co-founder of Redwood Flight Solutions, Bryan Eakins has more than 40 years of flight experience with over 20,000 hours in transport category aircraft including 5 PIC type-ratings. (B737, B757, B767, A320, SD-3)
He brings decades of world-wide flight experience and has logged over 100 North Atlantic crossings. Bryan spent most of his career at major airlines and has served as a Flight Standards Captain, Check Airman, Functional Check Pilot and Aircraft Delivery Captain as well as providing management leadership for FAA Ops Spec approval for both ETOPS and RNP-AR initial certification programs.
With more than 15 years conducting functional check flights including Airbus Technical Flight Familiarization Course completion, Bryan will provide the guidance, leadership and expertise for even the most challenging aircraft movements.
Bryan has a Bachelor of Science in Aviation Technology from Purdue University.
Erik Bacon
VP Client Relations and Flight Services
As one of the founders of Redwood Flight Solutions, Erik Bacon brings 24 years of commercial aviation experience and deep operational expertise across the Boeing 737 and Airbus A320 families, including certified A320 flight-test qualification.
He has partnered extensively with aircraft leasing companies and banks to conduct repositioning flights and flight-test work, providing accurate, reliable evaluations of airframes. Erik’s background as a Check Airman and Chief Pilot for a major U.S. airline underpins Redwood’s focus on safety, technical excellence, and mission-ready performance.