Brian Keene

From Cockpit to Craftsmanship – A Lifelong Journey in Aviation

Growing up in West Islip, NY during the 1970s, Brian Keene was captivated by the vibrant world of aviation. Frequent childhood visits to John F. Kennedy Airport with his father left a lasting impression, sparking a fascination with aircraft, their intricate movements, and the colorful insignias that defined each airline. It was this early wonder that planted the seeds for a lifelong passion.

Brian pursued this calling academically and professionally. He earned a B.S. in Aviation Management from the Florida Institute of Technology while simultaneously working toward his pilot ratings. His aviation career took off with Pan Am in London, where his international flying experience, including regular routes to Berlin, helped broaden his horizons both culturally and professionally.

In 1982, Brian embraced risk and innovation by joining the founding team of PEOPLExpress in Newark, NJ. The move marked a transformative chapter—professionally and personally. While navigating the fast-paced world of a start-up airline, he also met his future wife, Brenda, and together they would raise three children.

As the airline landscape shifted, Brian adapted, taking on leadership roles at Continental Airlines following its merger with PEOPLExpress, and later at United Airlines after their 2011 merger. He ultimately served as Director of Operations and later managed United’s Worldwide Baggage Operation, a pivotal position in the company’s global infrastructure.

After retiring in 2016, Brian briefly returned to the industry, serving as Vice President of Operational Excellence at ABM Aviation. But it was in his second retirement that he returned to his roots—his childhood fascination with JFK Airport—by creating intricate 1:400 scale airport dioramas.

Through AVPro Designs, the company he founded, Brian now leads a team specializing in highly detailed, historically accurate miniature airport displays. These dioramas, crafted with polystyrene, art board, die-cast models, and 3D-printed components, have found homes in museums, hotels, private collections, and aviation institutions around the world.

With every model he builds, Brian Keene captures not just the technical beauty of aviation, but the emotion and nostalgia of an industry that has defined his life. Today, he continues to bring aviation history to life—one miniature masterpiece at a time.