Thrive
Former Tampa Bay Buc launches aviation company
Jim Pyne previously co-founded Wheels Up, which became a publicly traded company on the New York Stock Exchange.
Jim Pyne has strong ties to the local region. He once played and coached for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
After spending years with the National Football League, Pyne found a fitting new career in air transportation. He learned about the benefits of private travel firsthand as an athlete.
In 2024, Pyne began to develop Tampa-based company PLS Aviation. An official launch announcement was made Tuesday.
The organization provides on-demand private jet charter, aircraft sourcing, aviation advisory services and 24/7 concierge support for worldwide clients. These include individuals, sports organizations and corporations.
Previously, Pyne co-founded private aviation organization Wheels Up, which became a publicly traded company on the New York Stock Exchange in 2021. He would later serve as the company’s chief partnership officer.
Known for its on demand model, Wheels Up is one of the largest providers in the market, according to Forbes magazine.
“I have had a long history in aviation and love the industry and love the clients I’ve had,” Pyne explained. “I have gotten to know them and become a part of their lives.”
In 2023, Delta Air Lines acquired a majority stake in Wheels Up. However, Pyne still wanted to serve the individuals that he had built relationships with. This led the former athlete to explore other opportunities.
The key goal of Pyne’s venture is to provide a “boutique, high-touch service model designed to meet the unique needs of every client,” according to a prepared statement. One of the main differentiators of PLS Aviation is that the company offers on-demand solutions without membership fees.
PLS Aviation supports travel throughout North America, Europe, Latin America, the Caribbean, the Middle East and other destinations.
Athletics was, at first, a family tradition. Both Pyne’s father and grandfather played in the NFL.
A former NFL athlete, Pyne served as the team captain for the Cleveland Browns.
Prior to Pyne’s NFL career, he played for Virginia Tech, where he earned All – American honors in 1993. Pyne’s jersey number, 73, was retired and he was inducted into the Virginia Tech Sports Hall of Fame.
Pyne spent nine seasons in the NFL as an offensive lineman. Drafted by the Bucs in 1994, he was primarily a left guard from 1995 to 1997, according to the team’s website. Pyne would eventually play for the Detroit Lions, Cleveland Browns and Philadelphia Eagles. He even served as the team captain for the Browns.
Coaching was the next evolution of Pyne’s career. In 2003, he was employed as an assistant coach for the Bucs. The former athlete would eventually coach for the New Orleans Saints. From 2012 to 2014, Pyne served as the Bucs’ chief partnership officer.
“The hard work and grind of sports and the adversity has prepared me for life and business,” Pyne explained.
After Pyne’s father left the NFL, he founded his own construction equipment company. This entrepreneurial spirit inspired Pyne to follow his own business pursuits.
PLS Aviation has received endorsements from former Tampa Bay Buccaneers coaches Jon Gruden, Tony Dungy and Bruce Arians.
