Who We Are

Who We Are

Shockwave Aviation was co-founded by Aaron Misko and Dennis Florian in 2009. Aaron and Dennis became inseparable friends with a common passion for aviation while pursuing aviation degrees at Kent State University in the late 1990s.

Aaron earned a Bachelor of Science Degree from Kent State University. He holds an Airline Transport Pilot Certificate and is type rated in the Embraer 145. Aaron is a Certified Flight Instructor (ASEL/AMEL/Instrument). He spent eight years as a regional airline pilot with ExpressJet Airlines. Aaron also has fifteen years experience in emissions compliance and carbon offsetting with Shockwave Aviation and thirteen years of contract management experience at a large fractional aircraft operator. He lives in the suburbs of Cleveland, Ohio with his family.

Dennis earned a Bachelor of Science Degree from Kent State University and a Juris Doctor degree from Akron University. He holds a Commercial Pilot Certificate (ASEL/AMEL) and is a Certified Flight Instructor. Dennis has fifteen years experience in emissions compliance and carbon offsetting with Shockwave Aviation, and twenty years overseeing international operations and flight department management for a large fractional aircraft operator. He lives in the suburbs of Cleveland, Ohio with his family.

Why We Began

In the summer of 2009, aircraft operators were panicking. The EU was implementing a first of its kind, Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS). The stakes were high and there was tremendous fear of the unknown. Aircraft operators were fearful they would be heavily fined, or worse yet, barred from entering or leaving the EU for non-compliance. There were little to no resources available and the industry needed a trusted source.

We became the trusted source for carbon emissions reporting compliance. We built relationships with aircraft operators and EU Member States. Relief came over the flight departments as we ensured their legal compliance. They no longer worried that their multi-million dollar assets couldn’t perform their invaluable duties.

And so it began. Word of mouth spread from pilot to pilot through FBO lobbies and recurrent ground training classrooms. Before long, Shockwave Aviation was a household name throughout Fortune 500 flight departments.

A few years ago, we evolved and began offering solutions beyond regulatory compliance. Regulations have been handed down from a variety of organizations throughout the world. Now aircraft operators and owners are taking the initiative on their own, accepting responsibility for their own carbon emissions. Voluntary carbon offsets are gaining popularity as sustainability teams and aircraft operators take responsibility for climate change.

There’s no better experience than being part of real change that will affect our future generations.