Who is Vaughn Cordle, CFA
Vaughn Cordle, CFA, was the Founding Partner and Chief Analyst at Ionosphere Capital LLC. With over 30 years of experience as a financial analyst and consultant, he provided research and insights to various institutional investors, money management firms, suppliers, and labor groups. His clients included Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Fuji Heavy Industries, Southwest, and WestJet pilot groups, as well as over 50 large institutional equity and debt funds.
Vaughn attended executive education programs at Kellogg, Wharton, and other business schools, earning a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) designation in 2003. He is a leading airline industry expert, frequently interviewed by major media outlets such as Fox Business News, CNN, CNBC, and Bloomberg TV and Radio. Vaughn is the author or co-author of several papers and reports on airline deregulation, consolidation, and mergers, and has given briefings, presentations, and testimonies to the DOT, White House, FAA, American Bar Association, and other groups.
With 40 years of experience as a pilot and instructor in the airline industry, Vaughn is a retired senior B787 captain with United Airlines, having spent 35 years (28 as captain) flying out of Washington, DC. After United's purchase of Pan American World Airways in the late 80s, he flew the inaugural Paris, London, and Frankfurt flights for the airline.
Vaughn holds an Airline Transport Pilot license with ratings in LRJET, CE500, A320, B727, B737, B747, B757, B767, B777, and B787. He is a CFII/MEI/Gold Seal Instructor and flight engineer with 45 World and National speed records certified by the National Aeronautic Association and Federation Aeronautique Internationale. Vaughn has given numerous media interviews and appeared on the David Letterman Show in 1998.
In a notable achievement, Vaughn was selected as the X Prize pilot for the first civilian company to carry passengers into low-earth orbit. The launch system, designed for satellite deployment with a side project for a pilot and two civilian passengers, was developed by NASA engineers and scientists who managed the Challenger flights. However, the project was later canceled due to funding issues.
Vaughn's aviation portrait, painted by renowned artist Bernd Luz, featured in a series honoring aviation legends, was exhibited in Germany. The Aviation series celebrates significant milestones in the history of aviation, highlighting engineers and pilots who realized the grand childhood dream of flight and whose aircraft made history.
He has received countless testimonials and positive feedback from clients, colleagues, and industry leaders, praising his insightful analysis, forecasting abilities, and communication skills. Some notable quotes include:
• "Vaughn is a thoughtful airline analyst who provides perspective on both the history and current state of the industry, with an intimate knowledge of all players. His analysis is unique, insightful, and has aided us in our decision-making process." - Bharat Kuncham, Monarch Capital LP
• "Vaughn has a deep understanding of airline industry dynamics. He's one of the top analysts and an essential go-to resource for assessing competitiveness, economics, and industry structure." - Richard Aboulafia, Vice President, Teal Group Corporation
• "Vaughn Cordle is a rare expert who combines detailed, hands-on knowledge of the field with exceptional analytical skills. His decades of airline pilot experience and excellent number-crunching abilities make him hard to top." - Robert W. Poole, Jr., Director of Transportation Policy, Reason Foundation
• "For forecasting, valuation, risk analysis, and strategic and M&A assessment in the airline industry, Vaughn is at the top of my list." - Matt Andersson, President, Indigo Aerospace
• "Vaughn Cordle knows the airline business well, with deep industry experience that complements his financial and forecasting skills. He communicates effectively and is a knowledgeable contributor to the ongoing debate about revitalizing our airline industry." - R. L. Crandall, Retired Chairman and Chief Executive, AMR and American Airlines
• "Vaughn and his team should be commended for the consistent quality of their analysis." - Glenn Tilton, Chairman and Chief Executive, United Airlines
• "Vaughn Cordle is a preeminent airline and aviation financial analyst. His client list is extensive, including many large airlines. He is an outstanding economist with an impressive database and the skills to utilize it effectively." - Jack Keady, Principal, Transportation Consulting
• "Vaughn provides insider knowledge of the industry with a creative approach to analyzing airline data." - Glenn Engel, Managing Director at Merrill Lynch
• "Vaughn spots emerging trends others miss, making his economic analysis of the airline industry unbeatable." - Mark W Tatge, Bureau Chief and Senior Editor at Forbes
• "Vaughn Cordle is one of the most thoughtful, articulate, and savvy travel industry financial analysts in the business today." - Michael Derchin, Airline/Aerospace Analyst, FTN Midwest Securities
• "Vaughn attacks data with a vengeance, and his passion for his work allows him to sum up the smallest data points into highly predictive insights at the firm and industry levels, informed by a mastery of macroeconomic theory and current data trends." - Kevin Mitchell, Chairman, Business Travel Coalition
• "Vaughn is not only an excellent airline analyst but also has a keen understanding of the general aviation industry. We have worked together on several projects, and I highly recommend him." - Jim Haynes, President & CEO, The Aviation Group
In summary, Vaughn Cordle is a highly respected and sought-after expert in the airline and transportation industries, known for his unique blend of hands-on experience, analytical prowess, and ability to provide valuable insights and forecasts to a wide range of clients and stakeholders. His extensive testimonials from industry leaders and clients underscore his exceptional expertise and contributions to the field.