Robert Agostino has had a unique career. He's flown for 54 consecutive years of which 51 consecutive years were in jet aircraft. Accumulating over 23,000 plus flight hours, he holds 13 type writings which encompass 25 different aircraft. His license carries the ATP, CFI CF MI and helicopter ratings. In addition to Bob's type ratings, he has flown a mirage of different aircraft from the DC-9 to F5, T33, T38 and the SK35. In simulation, Bob has flown the B, A10, F18, F35, OV22, B767 and the B787.
Bob has set 9 world records for speed over a recognized course. He was selected in 2005 to receive the laureate award from Aviation Week and Space Technology. In 2017 he received the Dr. Tony Kern award for Professionalism in Aviation, and most recently in 2023 he received the Meritorious Service Award from the Flight Safety Foundation.
He's also the recipient of the very first Business and Commercial Aviation Vision Award and has received commendations from the FAA, the United States Navy, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the US Army for his work in aviation safety.
Bob is also a member of the Society of experimental test pilots (SETP), AO PA and NBAA. He is currently serving his second term on the Gulfstream Customer Advisory Board and has been a member of the Aviation Directors Roundtable. In addition, he has served as a member on the Board of Directors of the Smithsonian affiliate, The Kansas Cosmosphere.
Bob’s management experience encompasses over 40 years of corporate flight operations, 15 years of which he was the director of flight ops for worldwide operations of Learjet/ Bombardier. Here he created the widely acclaimed Safety Standdown Program where in large part Bob participated as a key proponent of the flight test team in the development of the Lear 45, Challenger 300, and post certification work on the Global Express. He was also a member of the Learjet Accident Investigation team.
Currently Bob serves as the President and Aviation Director for Group Holdings Aviation. He is responsible for the operation of a number of Gulfstream G650 aircraft which fly a worldwide mission. During the development of the Aerion Supersonic business aircraft, Bob was the vice president of Aircraft and Flight Operations and the lead pilot for supersonic business jet development.