Summary
A federal jury in Maryland has convicted Patrick Britton-Harr, the owner and operator of AeroVanti, for defrauding private jet customers out of approximately $15 million. Prosecutors said Britton-Harr convinced customers to make large upfront payments by promising discounted private jet flights and claiming the money would be used to purchase aircraft for the company.
According to evidence presented during the trial, those promises were not fulfilled. Instead, customer funds were allegedly used for personal expenses, luxury purchases, and other costs unrelated to the aircraft purchases that had been promised.
Key Points
- Customers paid $150,000 upfront under a special membership program.
- Funds were supposed to help purchase aircraft.
- Members were promised discounted flight hours.
- Approximately $15 million was collected from customers.
- Prosecutors said the money was misused for personal spending.
- A federal jury convicted Patrick Britton-Harr on six wire fraud counts.
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How the AeroVanti Membership Program Operated
According to court documents, Patrick Britton-Harr controlled AeroVanti and its related business entities. The company operated as a private aviation club that offered members access to flights on private jets.
To attract customers, AeroVanti introduced what was described as a one-time membership opportunity known as the “Top Gun” program. Under this offer, customers were asked to pay $150,000 upfront. In exchange, they would receive a block of discounted flight hours and the opportunity to help the company acquire additional aircraft.
Prosecutors said customers were assured that their money would be used to purchase specific planes. They were also told that the aircraft titles would be placed into escrow, providing protection for their investment.
These assurances encouraged customers to participate in the program. Over time, Top Gun members collectively paid about $15 million with the expectation that five aircraft would be purchased using their funds.
However, evidence presented at trial showed that the promised aircraft purchases were not completed as customers had been led to believe.
Federal prosecutors argued that the money was diverted for purposes that had never been disclosed to customers. Jurors heard evidence that funds were used to support Patrick Britton-Harr’s personal lifestyle rather than the aircraft purchases described in membership agreements.
Trial Evidence and Jury Verdict
During the trial, prosecutors presented financial records and testimony detailing how customer money was allegedly spent.
According to the evidence, funds collected through the Top Gun program were used to purchase yachts and expensive jewelry. Prosecutors also stated that customer money helped cover living expenses and the rental of a home near Tampa, Florida, reportedly costing around $10,000 per month.
The government further alleged that Patrick Britton-Harr attempted to conceal aspects of the scheme. Evidence showed that he later obtained a $1.5 million loan to purchase one of the aircraft that customers had already been told had been purchased using their membership funds.
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Prosecutors argued that important information was withheld from the lender during the loan application process.
After reviewing the evidence and hearing testimony, the federal jury found Patrick Britton-Harr guilty on six counts of wire fraud.
Wire fraud is a federal crime involving the use of electronic communications as part of a scheme to obtain money through false or misleading representations.
The conviction carries serious potential penalties. Patrick Britton-Harr faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison for each count of wire fraud. A sentencing date has not yet been announced, and a federal judge will determine the final sentence after considering federal sentencing guidelines and other legal factors.
The case was investigated by the FBI Baltimore Field Office and the Department of Transportation Office of Inspector General.
Court records also note that Patrick Britton-Harr was separately indicted in May 2025 on multiple health care fraud charges and one money laundering charge connected to an alleged scheme involving Medicare billing. Those charges are unrelated to the AeroVanti case and remain separate legal proceedings.
The conviction in Maryland focuses specifically on the alleged misuse of approximately $15 million collected from AeroVanti customers who believed their money would be used to purchase aircraft and secure future private jet travel benefits.