# Eric Zipkin

> Eric Zipkin is the co-founder and CEO of Tradewind Aviation, founded with his brother David in 2001. A pilot and Wharton graduate, he built a regional private and scheduled aviation business while also helping preserve historic aircraft through the Tunison Foundation and D-Day Squadron. He is a partner in Goodspeed Airport and a vintage-aircraft instructor and pilot.

- **Role:** Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer at Tradewind Aviation
- **Organizations:** Tradewind Aviation, Tunison Foundation, D-Day Squadron, Goodspeed Airport & Seaplane Base, Goodspeed Flying Service, Westchester Air
- **Education:** B.S. in entrepreneurial management and economics, The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania, Pace University
- **Known for:** Built Tradewind Aviation from a single-aircraft operation into a regional charter and scheduled-service business., Helped organize the 2019 D-Day Squadron crossing of 15 American vintage transport aircraft., Co-founded the Tunison Foundation and serves as its president.

## Career timeline

- **—** — Developed residential and commercial real estate in southern New York and founded an e-commerce business before his aviation career.
- **—** — Joined Westchester Air as a charter sales representative; later served as pilot, Director of Marketing and General Manager.
- **2001** — Co-founded Tradewind Aviation with brother David, starting with a Cessna Caravan.
- **2003** — Tradewind acquired its first Pilatus PC-12.
- **2014** — Flew Placid Lassie to Europe for the seventieth anniversary of D-Day.
- **2017** — Helped establish the Tunison Foundation, named for radio operator Ed Tunison.
- **2019** — Directed air operations for the D-Day Squadron’s commemorative Atlantic crossing.
- **2020** — Partnered with Bill McEnery to purchase Goodspeed Airport.
- **2022** — Tradewind agreed to purchase 20 new Pilatus PC-12 NGX aircraft.
- **2024** — Joined son Luc on Placid Lassie’s Atlantic crossing crew; also piloted the DC-3 floatplane N130Q.
- **2026** — Returned to fly DC-3 floatplane N130Q, discussed in a September DC-3 Society interview.

## Achievements

- Built Tradewind Aviation from a single-aircraft operation into a regional charter and scheduled-service business.
- Helped organize the 2019 D-Day Squadron crossing of 15 American vintage transport aircraft.
- Co-founded the Tunison Foundation and serves as its president.
- Partnered in the purchase and continued operation of Goodspeed Airport.
- Holds an Airline Transport Pilot Certificate.

## Latest updates

- **2026-09** — Discussed flying DC-3 floatplane N130Q in 2024 and 2026 in a DC-3 Society interview published September 24.
- **2025-05** — Appeared on Aviation Careers Podcast episode ACP422 to discuss Tradewind, regional luxury travel and pilot career paths.
- **2024-12** — Son Luc published an account of their 2024 Placid Lassie Atlantic crossing in AOPA Pilot.

## Links

- Website: https://www.flytradewind.com/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/eric-zipkin-79167117

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Profile page: https://yespress.io/eric-zipkin
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-10-15