INTERVIEW: Mike Kennedy takes to the skies in ‘Airplane Repo’
Airplane Repo, Discovery Channel’s new reality series about the dangerous world of repossessing aircrafts, follows a group of three men who are hired by banks to retrieve expensive private planes and yachts from once-wealthy clientele. The game of finding and securing these planes and boats can be a legal nightmare, so Mike Kennedy relies on his years of experience in the unusual field.
Kennedy, who also has a history with exotic animals and stunt riding, is willing to do what it takes to bring in the big prizes for his clients. This profession is not exactly a 9-to-5 gig.
Hollywood Soapbox recently exchanged emails with Kennedy about his intense job and the new reality series.
Where did the nickname The Lone Wolf come from?
“The Lone Wolf” was a nickname attributed to me on the Discovery Channel’s show website. I actually didn’t have anything to do with it, but it seems to have stuck. I have already heard of groups of people watching the show calling themselves “The Wolf Pack.”
With your background as a stunt rider and daredevil, where did you develop this taste for danger?
I have never considered life a spectator sport. We are only here once and I have always wanted to experience all there is to get out of life. I’ve never been satisfied with watching someone else doing something exciting. Whether it’s skydiving, motorcycle racing, surfing, flying, if it interests me I’m going to learn to do it myself and excel at it.
How did you get connected with the show Airplane Repo?
There was a couple of episodes of a show involving crocodiles filmed at my house using a couple of my crocodiles. The producers of that show noticed my big cats, motorcycles and skydiving gear and started asking questions. They learned about my aviation background and called me a couple of weeks later to ask me if I would be interested in being involved in this show.
Do you like the repo business? It seems like a business that takes a lot of knowledge and experience.
I do like the business. I was never that interested in the airline world. Same routes everyday like a bus driver. With this every job is different, I rarely fly the same plane twice, and it’s worldwide. It does require a ton of knowledge and experience. Flying the plane is only a small part of the job especially in foreign countries.
Discovery billed you online as an “exotic animal dealer.” Could you describe that part of your job?
I breed several species of crocodiles and several very rare color morphs of Asiatic Cobras. We also have a leopard and a cougar that we raised from babies. I graduated from UCF with a degree in Zoology but never really worked in my field. A lot of the animals at our facility are rescues. This is a way of putting my education to use and the animals have always been a passion of mine.
What’s the largest risk of your profession?
Besides irate owners the airplanes are also occasionally reported as stolen. The police welcoming committees when I land at the other end can be pretty edgy. They assume they are capturing an international airplane thief, drug runner, or worse. I always have the legal documents with me to diffuse the situation but the first few minutes can be pretty tense. Equally as important is the airworthiness of the airplane. I often times only have moments to determine if the plane is in flyable condition and then launch off across a South American jungle or head out over the ocean.
By John Soltes / Publisher / John@HollywoodSoapbox.com
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Airplane Repo airs Thursdays at 10 p.m. on Discovery Channel. Click here for more information.
This show keeps you on the edge of your seat.
I am hooked!!
Your Show is Great,lot of excitment,Pins and needles Drama !!Hope you remember Me. You did Window tint into Exotic cars at Vehicles Unlimited.I remember Accent on Detail.Remember 6 Cyl Honda. You Walking it down Fairbanks Winter Park.I Knew you raced at Daytona.I Didn’t Know about Stunts And Exotic Animals !! Very Cool. Hope you remember the 90’s I Knew Charlie Barks Also.So long Ago I’m 60 years old Now!! Can’t Believe,T.V. Show, Congrats!!
Our family loves the shows – especially our 11 year old daughter. But I do need help understanding one aspect of the repo business. You always carry in your possession the legal documents to repo the planes. Why then, is it so secretive in “stealing” it. Why wouldn’t security be on your side and help you with the process. I gather, that if the owners new ahead of time you were coming, they could sabatoge the deal, however, showing up impromptu at security – wouldn’t they be on your side? Perhaps not and this is the problem. Again, love the show.
Are you from Lake City Fl? There was a place with gators and big cats my mom used to take me as a child in Lake City FL. Could this have been your place?
I think repo men like yourself are needed for those folks who want the expensive aircrafts and refuse to pay their bank notes, or the lender. I enjoy the show and always pray for your safety. Good work Mike.
I LOVE the show but am looking forward to some new shows! I’m 78 (12/01) and not able to do these types of things – but feel like I would have in my younger days! PLEASE keep the show going. I’m a 5th generation N. FLORIDA native!
Mike I am enjoying wating you every week on “Aircraft Repo”. I think the last time we spoke, you were delivering King Airs around the world.
I live it Winter Park in Winter [Nov-Mar] and NE Jawja Summers.
I think since I have seen you I spent 5 years in Nassau. Whlie there one of my Clients was Dirk Arthur who had 15 Tigers. [included a couple Black Leopards and a couple Orange Tigers. The rest were all White Royal Bengals. Some of the were about 700 pounds and very very strong ! Please drop me a line give me an e-mail addy or phone number so we can talk ! Maybe even have lunch or ? Next winter ?
Mac