Jon Stojan
Image credit: Thierry Mathieu
When your client list includes heads of state, Hollywood stars, royalty, famous entrepreneurs and billionaires, your job is anything but ordinary. For Thierry Mathieu, a suave, battle-tested French pilot based on the sun-soaked Côte d’Azur, flying is not just a job. It’s a lifestyle, an art form, and occasionally, a backstage pass to the world’s most exclusive circles.
Born with a taste for adrenaline and precision, Thierry’s journey into aviation didn’t start in the cockpit. It began behind the wheel of a racing car. “I was a racing driver in Europe,” he says with a grin. “But when I lost my main sponsor, I had to stop and needed a new thrill.” That thrill came the moment he took off from Monaco heliport for an introductory helicopter flight. “From the second I lifted off, I was hooked. Flying a chopper felt like driving a race car in the sky.”
Image credit: Thierry Mathieu
Today, Thierry’s résumé reads like the script of an international action movie. He has logged over 12,000 flight hours, holds both FAA and European licenses, and has flown everything from helicopters in the snowy Alps to private jets cruising over the Middle East, Los Angeles and more. He’s flown the most beautiful jets all over the world. He even served as an FAA federal examiner and instructor. In short: he’s the guy you want at the helm when you’re flying your family, or your entourage, across the globe.
And Los Angeles? “I love flying into Van Nuys,” Thierry says. “There’s a unique energy when you land in LA. You never know which Oscar winner or tech mogul you’ll be flying next.”
Image credit: Thierry Mathieu
He’s served in the French Air Force, trained pilots across continents, and delivered aircraft worldwide as a ferry pilot. But what sets him apart isn’t just his credentials, it’s his empathy. “I always ask my passengers: ‘What can I do to make your flight better?’ Whether they’re nervous or just picky, you need to understand what they need before they even ask.”
In fact, that understanding led Thierry to launch passenger anxiety seminars and become an aviation consultant. “Celebrities and VIPs are just like anyone else. Some are terrified of flying,” he explains. “So, I talk to them to understand the reasons, I bring them into the cockpit, show them how everything works. It gives them peace of mind. It’s all about trust.”
Image credit: Thierry Mathieu
As the CEO of Europe-based Unique Aviation, this savvy aviation consultant helps soon-to-be jet-setters find their perfect plane without the usual chaos. He’s got an eye for the best aircraft deals and knows exactly how to line up the whole operation — we’re talking management, maintenance, handpicked crew, and top-tier training. Basically, he takes care of everything so his clients can just buckle up and enjoy the ride.
In recent years, Los Angeles, and the U.S., has felt the impact of a growing demand for corporate pilots, driven by waves of retirements and many aviators transitioning to commercial airlines. As a result, there’s an increasing need for seasoned professionals who can adapt quickly, operate a variety of aircraft, and navigate the unique demands of the high-end private aviation world.
Thierry’s not just a man with a pilot’s license; he’s a pilot with presence. Elegant, composed, and deeply experienced, he brings 30 years of sky-high savoir-faire to every flight. It doesn’t matter if it’s a chart-topping artist heading to Coachella or a royal on a diplomatic flight, when you see Thierry Mathieu at the top of the airstair, with a nice taste of French touch, you know you’re in good hands.