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There are a lot of things we use every day. And we often cart a bunch of them around with us, whether in our pockets, car, purse, backpack, or gym bag. Chapstick. Your gym membership card. Gum. A pen. Or maybe your favorite beer koozie. When it comes to your flight bag, though, do you cart around a lot of stuff you never use and forget the things you need? Here are five items to always have in your flight bag. Organizing them is up to you.

Your flight bag is arguably your most important accessory, and keeping it well-organized means you will know exactly where things are when you need them. You could probably pull out what you need without even looking, and that’s how you know your flight bag is serving you well.

Rather than list exactly five items, the consensus is that there are really five categories of things you should carry with you, and often there are several items within each category. Top of your list, though, should be your pilot and medical certificates.

Tools and Parts

Which tools you choose to carry is a matter of personal preference, but there are a lot of different items in this category that experienced pilots will say they pack in their flight bag.

Those include: fuel tester, four-way screwdriver, pocketknife, multi-tool, extra oil, a kit with screws and washers, multi-purpose wrench, a rope for towing, ½” wrench for brakes, small pair of dykes, electrical tape, clear tape, a couple of spare spark plugs, zip ties, a small siphon, and a hose for smoke oil.

Of course, which of these you choose to bring along may differ from the next guy, but there are some standard items on the list that everyone will choose. They key is to organize your flight bag once you have chosen all your items so that not only do they all fit, but they are arranged in a way that makes sense to you, so you won’t have to waste time hunting for the item you need.

Survival Gear

When it comes to survival gear, you don’t want to skimp. Who wants to be the guy that says, “Shoot. I wish I’d brought a (flashlight, compass, personal locator, etc.).” Take a good look at what other pilots are packing, do your research, decide what will work best for your needs and the space you have, and don’t forget to pack them in your flight bag.

Common survival gear found in flight bags includes a flashlight, band-aids, microfiber towels, lighter, compass, commercially-made survivor kit, first-aid kit, emergency position indicating radio beacon (EPIRB).

Electronics/Mapping

Pilots 30 years ago had larger—and heavier—flight bags because they had to lug around a lot of paper. Today’s pilots can simply pack their electronic flight bag (EFB) and a host of other digital products and be not only lighter, but more secure…unless they forget a charger.

Items to consider packing in your flight back for this category include: Electronic flight bag (EFB), spare handheld two-way radio, digital logbook software, headset, extra headset batteries, external battery charger, cell phone charger, DC power adapter, kneeboard, pens, small notepad, the latest charts and maps, an airfield guide, video camera (i.e., GoPro HD), and an E6B flight computer.

As with other categories, some of these are a matter of personal preference, while others are obviously non-negotiable. Above all, don’t forget charging cords. A flight bag and its contents should be duplicates of anything you use at home so they can remain packed between flights without having to gather items every time. All you would need to remember is to make sure everything is fully charged and consumable items like batteries, food, and water are replaced as necessary.

Nourishment

When choosing your emergency snacks, consider protein bars and other commercially made and packaged goods that will not only last a while in your bag, but will also curb hunger for a while in case of an emergency. Also make sure to pack a fresh water bottle for every trip.

Personal Items

Personal items will vary widely from one pilot to the next, but here are some commonly chosen items: non-polarized sunglasses with a case, sanitary wipes, napkins, gum, hat and gloves, headphones, and a sleep mask for those inevitable long delays.

Let Us Help You!

If you need help finding some of the digital or technical items on this list, or if you are considering flight training in the Chicagoland area, give us a call at J.A. Air Center. We can help you find all that you are looking for.

If you hear “wheels-up” in your dreams and have a passion for flying in your gut, now is the perfect time to consider a career in aviation, especially with a projected need for close to 790,000 pilots over the next 20 years. If that could be your goal, you might ask, “What’s the average cost to obtain a commercial pilot’s license?”

Vince Lombardi would tell you, “The price of success is hard work, dedication to the job at hand, and the determination that whether we win or lose, we have applied the best of ourselves to the task at hand.”

While he was talking about football, the same is true in the pursuit of any career, including one as a commercial pilot. The path that lies between you and a new career as a commercial pilot is one that takes that same dedication and determination. Before getting into the costs involved, let’s outline what will be required for you to get that license.

Research Schools

Researching flight schools in your area is one of the first steps. This will help you decide which option suits you best: a fast-track program, or a program where you earn a degree. There are flight schools, like J.A. Flight Training, who offer two uniquely different career paths.

One is run exclusively through J.A. Flight Training–a 12-month, accelerated program that includes a follow-up interview with Skywest Airlines and an internship with Southern Airways. This Career Pilot Program is a one-of-a-kind opportunity due to J.A.’s ownership in Southern Airways and their agreement with Skywest Airlines, and can have you flying with the airlines in 18 months. There is no faster or cheaper way to become a commercial pilot.

The other option is to pursue a Bachelor of Science degree online through the Liberty University Flight Training Program while completing your FAA flight ratings through J.A. Flight Training, located at Aurora Airport. This program can be completed in 30 months and is perfect for those who need financial assistance such as scholarships, grants, financial aid, low-interest student loans, and parent-plus loans. 

If J.A. Flight School isn’t close to you, there will likely be flight schools near your location, and you should check to see which one will best meet your needs.

Basic Requirements

There are basic requirements that must be met to get your commercial pilot’s license. You must be 18 or older, have good communication skills, pass a physical exam (including an eye exam), be able to demonstrate the aeronautical knowledge you have gained through school and training, and show logbook endorsements from a certified instructor that verifies your level of experience.

The medical requirements for those who wish to fly professionally are more stringent than for recreational pilots, and you must apply for an FAA first-class medical certificate through an aeromedical examiner.

Another step is applying for a student pilot certificate through the FAA’s Integrated Airman Certification and Rating Application. This isn’t required to take flying lessons but will be in order to fly solo during your training. If you choose J.A. Flight School, they will help you arrange obtaining both certificates.

Train to Become a Private Pilot First

This training means you will be learning not only flight basics, but you will also learn a great deal of detailed information on maneuvering, communications, and airplane operations and maintenance. Specifically, this training includes flight training lessons and obtaining aeronautical knowledge, followed by passing the private pilot knowledge test and the private pilot practical exam, both oral and flight portions.

Log Flight Hours

To qualify for a commercial pilot’s license, you must have 250 flying hours covering various situations, including solo, and 100 as pilot-in-command. You are also required to pilot a plane with designated gear, complete your instrument training, make a specific number of takeoffs and landings, and have 50 hours of cross-country flight time in both day and night conditions.

Pass Required FAA Exams

The FAA requires you to pass the FAA Practical Test before you can become a licensed commercial pilot. This will include an oral exam that takes about two hours, a flight portion that will take about an hour-and-a-half, and a written exam.

Flying for Commercial Airlines

If you are interested in flying for a commercial airline, you must be 21 and will need to log 1,500 hours of flight time and pass the FAA’s Airline Transport Pilot’s certification exam (ATP CTP), the Airline Transport Pilot Multi-Engine (ATM) knowledge test, and the practical exam. 

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) article on How to Become an Airline or Commercial Pilot, “To make up the gap between paying for training and flying for the major airlines, many commercial pilots begin their careers as flight instructors and on-demand charter pilots. These positions typically require less experience than airline jobs require. When pilots have built enough flying hours, they can apply to the airlines. Newly hired pilots at regional airlines are typically required to have about 1,500 hours of flight experience. Many commercial piloting jobs have minimum requirements of around 500 hours.”

About Our Flight Training Programs

J.A. Flight Training is conveniently based in Chicago’s western suburb, Sugar Grove. No matter which career path you follow—pursuing a bachelor of science degree through our partnership with Liberty University, or our accelerated, 12-month program, you can count on experiential learning with the most up-to-date equipment, flight simulators, and aircraft.

We are proud to offer world-class training that prepares our students for a successful future as a pilot through flexible classes and affordable programs. When it comes to the cost to obtain a commercial pilot’s license through J.A. Flight Training, it costs $70,000 to $80,000 for the accelerated program (cash-based payments). If you require a program that will offer grants, scholarships, and financial aid packages, then you should opt for our program with Liberty University.

The Occupational Outlook Handbook for Airline and Commercial Pilots, on the BLS website, reports the median pay for pilots in 2018 was $115,670, a salary that quickly repays your educational investment.

Contact us for more information on our flight training programs, and let us get you started on a new career path today!

When you’re going on a trip, even a business trip, there’s a bit of excitement in the air. Your passengers are going somewhere different, maybe someplace new, and it’s certainly a break from the usual routine. They probably aren’t thinking about safety. As a pilot, though, it’s crucial. As a refresher, here are some pre-flight safety tips: 5 things to remember.

Check the Weather, NOTAMs, and TFRs

Checking the weather with an official briefing is a vital part of the pre-flight safety routine. You don’t want any surprises here. You can either call 1-800-WX-BRIEF or go to DUATS online to learn about the weather along your flight path and any potential for adverse conditions.

Be sure to talk to Air Traffic Control (ATC) for a briefing on NOATMs (Notice to Airmen) regarding potential hazards along your flight route and TFRs (Temporary Flight Restriction). TFRs can be put in place due to hazardous conditions, a special event, or a general warning for the entire FAA airspace.

Check the Logbooks

Checking the logbooks is required every time you fly. You are not considered airworthy until they have been signed off, and as the Pilot In Command (PIC) that is your responsibility. Even if the aircraft has been recently inspected, this is still a requirement.

Calculate Your Weight and Balance, Fuel Allocation

Calculating the weight and balance is the required process of finding the aircraft’s center of gravity. This process is essential because the center of gravity’s location will affect the performance of the aircraft, and if outside acceptable limits, the aircraft could become uncontrollable. 

Calculating the fuel allocation for the flight will ensure you don’t run out of fuel mid-flight. Look up the fuel consumption for your aircraft in gallons per hour and multiply by the duration (hours) of the flight. This will tell you how much fuel you need, or if you are flying a long distance, where you need to land and refuel.

Be Familiar with the Entire Flight

Make sure that before take-off you have become familiar with the airspace, airports, and frequencies along the route for your flight. Also, have a backup plan in case you need to take a break, if there is an emergency while in flight, or for any unexpected weather conditions. 

Perform a Pre-Flight Check

No matter how familiar you are with an aircraft, how inconvenient a pre-flight check is, or how demanding your workload is, don’t fail to perform a pre-flight check. According to the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA), records show that those pilots involved in accidents often fail to use a pre-flight checklist. 

AOPA states, “Many a pilot has avoided embarrassment, not to mention a possible accident, because he or she used the written checklist properly.”

Their checklist is segmented into before-takeoff, final items, before-landing, and a second final items segment. It includes items such as flight controls—free and correct, instruments and radios—checked and set, seat belts/shoulder harnesses—fastened, and doors and windows—locked, among many others. The complete checklist can be found here. 

For Flight Instruction, Contact us Today

Contact J.A. Air today to find out more about how you can get professional flight training utilizing the King School online curriculum for the Private, Instrument, Commercial and Multi programs. All of our ground and flight training is done one-on-one with your instructor. We tailor our flight training programs to your specific needs and schedule.

Whether you are just graduating high school or looking for your next career, if you’ve dreamt of becoming a pilot, you might be wondering what makes a top-notch flight training program? There are a lot of places to choose from, and it’s important to know how to weed the good from the not-so-good. Even more, how to choose the perfect fit for you.

We know that learning to fly is exciting and rewarding, filling the need for adventure. Sure, piloting an airplane carries a lot of responsibility with it, but there’s no reason you can’t also have fun and love your job at the same time, and you will love it more when you find the training program that is a perfect fit for you. Plus, there’s that little perk called traveling.

Here are some guidelines you can use to choose the flight training program that will suit you best. 

What are Your Goals?

If you want to learn as a hobby or to become a professional pilot, it will determine which type of training is best for you. If you are interested in the professional pilot route, check to see if the schools you are considering partner with any regional airlines, such as J.A. Air’s partnership with Southern Airways and Mesa Airlines.

How Much Will it Cost?

When comparing costs, look at both the flight school costs and aircraft rental costs. Those include not only rental of the aircraft itself, but also includes insurance, fuel, taxes, instructor fees, and processing fees. Find out if rental includes fuel or not (wet vs. dry).

What Type of Training Do You Want?

At J.A. Air, you can pursue a Bachelor of Science degree online through Liberty University, while completing all of your FAA flight ratings through JA Flight Training. This program runs year-round, can be completed in as little as 30 months, and is perfect for high school graduates looking for all of the financial benefits college programs have to offer, such as; scholarships, grants, financial aid, low-interest student loans, and parent plus loans.

The other option is a 12-month accelerated flight training program at Aurora Airport with a follow-up interview with Mesa airlines and an internship with Southern Airways. This program is perfect for career changers and students. Because of J.A.’s ownership in Southern Airways, and their agreement with Mesa Airlines, this program is a one-of-a-kind opportunity that can have our students flying with the airlines in as little as a year and a half.  There is no quicker or less expensive path to becoming an airline pilot.

Does it Matter What Type of Aircraft is Used?

The type of aircraft is, to a degree, personal preference. Safety, however, is mandatory. Some don’t mind the older aircraft with round dials, while others prefer glass cockpits and GPS, which is good if you are interested in flying professionally.

At J.A. Flight, we take pride in our top-notch program, the facilities, and the newest aircraft and simulators. With all of our exceptional aircraft maintained by our FAA Certified repair station and Cessna Service Center, you won’t find a finer fleet that’s supported by more trusted and proven technicians. This creates the foundation for a world-class flight training school that prepares our students for a successful future in piloting with flexible classes and affordable programs.

Research, Visit, Meet Pilots

Be sure to do your research. Read reviews left by students who have graduated from the program. Go visit the flight school and listen to your gut instinct. Above all, make sure to go on a discovery flight with an instructor and ask questions about the school, safety and the staff.

Call Us Today

We are committed to helping you become the best pilot possible, using real airline pilots for training and mentoring. All of our ground and flight training is done one-on-one with your instructor. We tailor our flight training programs to your specific needs and schedule. Give us a call at J.A. Flight today and schedule your visit.

This winter has been a bit intense, with record snowfalls in northern Wisconsin to everything from rain, ice, and snow in northern Illinois. Most people are ready to issue a hearty welcome to spring, with its milder temperatures and more moderate weather. That means it’s time to get your aircraft ready for spring flying.

Here are some items you should put on your checklist as you prep for wheels up.

Look Over the Maintenance Records

Now is a good time to go over your aircraft’s maintenance records to make sure you are familiar with what has been done and what you need to do. Is there anything you have put off? In particular, are there safety repairs that are required by the FAA to legally fly the plane? Now is the time to get it scheduled and done.

Routine Maintenance

You probably changed the oil in your plane before storing it for the winter, but that doesn’t mean you can skip the springtime oil change. While you are taking care of that, make sure to also check the fuel system.

Old oil can cause corrosion and pitting of certain components, such as cam lobes and bearings due to a change in the acidity over time. The rust from that, if mixed with the oil, puts your engine at risk for extensive damage.

When checking the fuel system, remove the fuel filter, clean it and replace. Be sure to check for condensation in the tanks, a common problem if the fuel tanks air was in the tanks due to being partially full. Other items to check for are water in the tanks, condition of tanks and straps, fuel lines, drains and valve for leaks or damage, and the fuel gauge for any damage. And don’t forget to remove any covers installed before winter, turn on the master switches, and open the fuel cocks.

Electrical Components

This is also the time to check the battery age and condition and replace it if necessary. General recommendations are to check it every 50 hours of use. Don’t forget to check the battery leads, mounting gear, circuits, circuit breakers, terminal wiring, the radio, and antenna.

Tire Inspection

Make sure to check the tires for wear and air pressure. It’s common for tires to lose air pressure over time. Don’t forget to check both the struts and brake assembly. Any leaks must be addressed and struts replaced if worn out.

Wings and More

As you continue to move through your checklist, write down anything that may not need work right now, but will in the near future. That way you can schedule it instead of being grounded at a time that doesn’t suit you.

Check the wing flaps, tail fins, propeller assembly, landing gear and landing gear doors. You don’t want anything that is loose, damaged or dirty. If it is dirty and you can clean it properly, then do so, if you can’t, or it is loose or damaged, you must call a mechanic to repair it. This is true of anything you find.

The final section on your checklist should be checking the fuselage for damage—hairline cracks or damage from contact with another plane while in storage. Look over all gaskets and seals to be sure they aren’t corroded or dried out and check the air intake and cowling, pilot tube, stall warning vent, and static ports for animals–that may have built nests in those places.

The Final Touch

After all that has been done, enjoy some time babying your aircraft and give it a good wash on the outside and some interior detailing. If you don’t have time for that, give us a call at J.A. Air and we’ll be happy to take care of it for you.