Our Values Make Us Who We Are

To create a culture of safety, efficiency, and luxury, we base everything we do on a set of core values. These principles guide us and instill passion on a daily basis.

Unrestrained Experiences

Freedom is the foundation of everything we do. We are committed to offering hassle-free services and experiences.

Maximum Safety

Delivering a safe travel experience is of the utmost importance. Both clients and guests can rest assured that every safety precaution has been taken.

Absolute Privacy

Our commitment to privacy includes protecting client information, as well as cultivating a truly personal travel experience.

Superior Service

We know that premium service is the key to client satisfaction. Our work is not done until we know that every interaction has been a delight.

Sho Kassam

President

ATP, CFI-I, MEI

Originally from Mombasa, Kenya, Shohaib “Sho” Kassam brings an international perspective to Soulbird. Sho began his flying career in Norman, Oklahoma in 2000 as a flight instructor.

Sho later accepted a role as chief pilot at Oklahoma Aviation in 2004 and was later promoted to director of operations. The company became available for sale in 2010 and having missed the ownership opportunity once before, Sho didn’t hesitate the second time. He became an owner in 2011 and has not looked back since.

Sho stays active as a pilot and is also type rated in the Cessna 525, Beech 400, Hawker 750 and Citation Sovereign+ jets. His focus is to continuously work with our team in delivering the best in class, private aviation flight experience to our clientele.

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Chase Cothran

Chief Flight Instructor

Chase was born and raised in Oklahoma City. In 2010, he started flight training at Oklahoma State University where he earned his Pilot Certificates and Ratings. In 2014, Chase started Flight Instructing at OSU in the mornings and commuting to MetroTech in Oklahoma City for Airframe and Powerplant Mechanic school in the evenings.

In March of 2016, Chase graduated from MetroTech with his Airframe and Powerplant Mechanic ratings and certificate. He married his wife, Jenny, in April of 2016 and continued Flight Instructing and working as an A&P Mechanic at OSU. In September 2017, Chase was promoted to Assistant Chief Flight Instructor at OSU, and he held this position until August 2023. August 1, 2023, Chase was hired at Oklahoma Aviation as Chief Flight Instructor/SIC in the Citation Soveriegn+.

Chase and Jenny still live in Stillwater and are blessed with two children, Jack and Ella.

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Kyle Rogers

Assistant Chief Flight Instructor

Kyle is the Assistant Chief Flight Instructor for the Oklahoma Aviation Flight School and a charter pilot for Soulbird. He holds his CFI-I (ASEL) Certificate, Commercial (Single & Multi-engine) Certificate, and a type rating in the Citation CJ4. He is also a certified Cirrus Training Center Instructor (TCI).

Kyle grew up in Moore, Oklahoma, and had a strong interest in aviation from a young age. His father was a flight engineer in the U.S. Air Force aboard AWACS aircraft, and his grandfather served as an aircraft mechanic during the Vietnam War. Some of Kyle’s earliest memories are those of his father taking him to local airshows at Tinker Air Force Base, and he went on his first discovery flight on his 4th birthday.

Kyle completed the majority of his flight training at the University of Oklahoma, where he received a Bachelor of Science in Aviation with a Professional Pilot concentration. He obtained his CFI-I at Oklahoma Aviation while instructing at the flight school. Kyle is passionate about continuing to broaden his flight experience and skills, as well as sharing his knowledge with the next generation of pilots.

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Cyrena Albert

Flight School Administrator

Cyrena serves as Flight School Administrator for Oklahoma Aviation. She was born and raised in the Oklahoma City/Bethany area. Cyrena started out as a part of the Charter Sales team in 2022 and was asked to join the Flight School Administration in 2023.

She enjoys seeing the new excitement of aviation students and helping future pilots pursue their passion for flying. Cyrena has many years of varied customer service experience which includes having owned and operated a retail store in Canadian Texas. Her pride and joy is raising her two daughters who she enjoys spending time with. Faith and family are a big part of her life. She enjoys journaling and loves to paint with her daughters.

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