CAVU thrives on precision, planning, and process—an approach forged through real-world experience.
Our co-founder, Susan Beall, is a high achiever. After successfully starting, growing, and exiting GovCon businesses, she set her sights even higher—on the sky.
After earning her pilot’s license and instrument rating, Susan took her husband, Andy, on a celebratory flight to an air show in Oshkosh, WI. The night was clear as they headed home—until a fuel gauge warning changed everything. They were losing fuel fast.
Time for Plan B. Susan called Air Traffic Control and diverted to Martinsburg, WV. Clouds gathered. The gauge pinged again. Plan C was needed. With fuel dwindling, she searched for the nearest airport—Clarksburg, WV.
There was just one problem: heavy clouds obscured visibility. Landing would require instrument flight alone. Indicators showed they were running on fumes. They had one shot at getting it right.
Sticking to procedures, Susan and Andy methodically worked through their checklists, relayed updates, and adjusted course. They broke through the clouds at just over 600 feet—and the runway was right there. They landed safely. It was Susan’s first real-world instrument landing. Before that, it had been all training and simulations.
That moment became a turning point—not just in aviation, but in business.
“Approach procedures, checklists, and clear communication were critical that night,” Susan says. “Having instruments that showed our status—even if it wasn’t what we wanted—was essential. I learned the cardinal rule: stay three steps ahead of the airplane. Contingency plans don’t just matter—they need to be trained and rehearsed.”
At CAVU Advisors, we apply the same principles to help GovCon organizations stay compliant, competitive, and profitable.
In aviation, CAVU stands for Ceiling and Visibility Unrestricted—clear skies ahead. But markets can be stormy, and prevailing winds can shift fast. That’s why we provide extreme visibility through systems, tools, and business intelligence—so you can navigate with confidence.
And yes, we still use checklists—along with plenty of scenario planning to ensure there’s always a Plan A, B, and C.