jaair

Aircraft maintenance is a comprehensive, ongoing process designed to meet the standards set by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). No one knows that better than J.A. Air Center, the leader in aircraft maintenance in Chicago.

With nearly 50 years of experience, our Class IV Part 145 Repair Station is FAA Authorized and EASA Approved. Our teams of experienced and trained technicians provide service for almost every airframe and engine event, scheduled or unscheduled, on numerous models of Jet, Turboprop and Piston aircraft.

With temperatures getting colder, we have some winter aircraft maintenance tips below for things you can do yourself or, if you’re short on time, you can ask J.A. Air Center to do.

Aircraft Maintenance Tips for Winter

As we head for the heart of winter, the days shorten, the temps dip, and, usually anyway, we get snow dumped on us fairly often. Check out these tips to make sure you—and your aircraft—are ready for the winter ahead.

Wash and wax: Taking the time to wash and wax your aircraft, including windows, will pay off when the ice and snow hit. Dirt and bugs attract the snow and ice, helping them to stick. Having your aircraft detailed lets it all slide right off.

Change the oil: Changing the oil rids the system of acids, contaminants, and any water that may be present. This also allows you to change from straight-weight oil to a thinner one meant for colder temperatures, and you may want to consider an anti-corrosion additive.

Lubricate the airframe: Lubricants play an important role when it comes to protecting your aircraft from the cold of winter. Lubricating them according to schedule will not only help prevent wear and corrosion but also help reduce strain on components that are cold sensitive and tend to become stiff.

Conduct a battery check: Check the main battery by having it tested to make sure it has the required capacity. If it fails the test, replace it. This may be a good time to consider buying a maintenance-free battery. Replace all other batteries as well—in headsets, flashlights and carbon monoxide detectors.

Check the heating system: Make sure to thoroughly check the heating system, including the exhaust system that usually supplies heat to single-engine aircraft. No one wants to discover the heat doesn’t work once up in the air, and a carbon monoxide leak can be deadly.

Preheating check: This is also the time to check over your engine preheater if you have one. If you don’t, you may want to consider buying one. Also, a small, fire-safe ceramic heater for the interior reduces the expansion/contraction on interior parts.

Emergency preparedness: Preparing for emergencies should be done year-round, including items such as a first-aid kit, bottled water, and snacks. For winter, add an emergency blanket, lighter, hats and gloves to your usual emergency gear.

Call to Schedule Service

Your aircraft deserves the best, and J.A. Air Center delivers it. No matter what you need, from regular maintenance to upgraded avionics, our team of specialists will have you back up and running with minimum downtime.

Sure, we are proud of all the awards for excellence that we have received. What means, even more, is the trust placed in us each time pilots return with their aircraft for additional work. Give us a call and find out why we are the leader for aircraft maintenance in Chicago.

With news of the anticipated pilot shortage all over the news, it’s no surprise that a lot of people are interested in following their dreams and becoming a pilot. If you are interested in becoming a pilot, do you know what to look for in a flight training school?

Flight training schools are working hard to meet the demand as it’s projected that they will need to turn out 87 new pilots each day. They aren’t all the same, so below are several different factors to consider where you want to go.

What are Your Pilot Goals?

Like anything else in life, it’s good to define your goals before getting started, especially your long-term goals. This way you have something to focus on, to keep you motivated and moving forward. Something you can use to get you over the little humps and bumps along the way.

Deciding, for instance, on whether you want to be a professional pilot or only flying as a hobby will go a long way in deciding what type of training you are looking for. If you are looking at it for a career, you may want to look for one that has an association or partnership with regional airlines as it can get you up and running faster upon graduation.

How Much Can You Afford?

Just as there are a lot of different types of cars out there, with just as many price-tags to match, the same is true of flight training schools. What schools charge varies widely, and several factors affect their rates: location of the school, how many students they can take on, the type of aircraft you will train on, to name a few.

Some schools will offer financial assistance and loan programs. Decide on your budget and use that to narrow your list of candidates.

How Much Time Do You Have?

Are you willing to make training a priority might be the better question. Find out how much time is required for classes and flying, and what their schedule is, in order to find out if you are able to make the commitment. It can be costly to delay flight training because you didn’t plan ahead, and it can make it harder to gain the “muscle memory” that only comes with flying, and flying, and flying.

Part 61 Or Part 141 Flight Training School?

This is a big decision as both types of schools have distinct differences. Part 61 offers a bit more flexibility for your training, while 141 utilize FAA-approved training courses which must be adhered to. Over all, Part 141 schools are by their nature more structured than Part 61.

Only you can decide, based on your time availability, personal preferences, and learning style which is best for you.

Do Your Research

Part of your research can easily be done online by reading reviews, but you also need to get out and talk to pilots who have gone through the training program themselves. Ask them about the pros and cons and don’t expect perfection, because a perfect flight school doesn’t exist. What does is the right school. That is the one that is uniquely right for you, with all your requirements. You will find it, you just have to be committed to finding it.

Take a Tour

Once you’ve narrowed down your list, go ahead and schedule school tours and an introductory flight with an instructor. Pay close attention to your gut feelings about the environment, the staff, safety, policies, and if other students seem content.

Safety

While doing your research, be sure to check the safety record of any flight school that is a serious contender. As questions about their safety record when you tour the facilities, and also ask about the maintenance of their aircraft and how the defect reporting system works. You want to make sure safety is their top priority.

Aircraft and Simulators

Preference should be given for flight training schools that use aircraft with modern, up-to-date equipment. Simulators take students through replica conditions as set by the instructors—extreme weather, emergencies, winter weather systems, or the high heat of summer in the south. These different experiences–simulating real life–allow students to take risks and experience failure without facing true danger.

Contact Us Today

Contact us today at J.A. Flight Training. We ARE what you’re looking for in a flight training school. We’re committed to your success.

J.A. Flight Services and Liberty University are excited to announce a new partnership to provide local training (Chicagoland area) for a Bachelor’s Degree in Aviation. The degree is offered year-round online and full-time students with no experience can complete their degree in two-and-a-half years.

There has never been a better time to enter this field. The aviation industry is growing at an unprecedented rate and, coupled with the current and upcoming high-retirement rates for pilots (many of the Baby Boomers), there is a projected need for 790,000 new pilots—or 108 per day–over the next 20 years.

It’s a Pilot’s Market

Take advantage of the current market and many airlines who are offering substantial bonuses and incentives for graduates to come on board. Not only are the major airlines working hard to recruit new pilots, regional, private and business aviation is competing for you upon graduation as well.

New pilots today are coming from every walk of life. For some, it’s their first career just out of college. For others, it’s a second career after burning out on the corporate ladder. Yet others are now returning to the workforce after staying home to raise a family. Wherever you are, from 18 to beyond, if you love to fly, this is probably calling your name.

The appeal isn’t only the good pay as airlines compete to hire you—which is always appreciated, of course–it’s also about quality of life and the ability to work close to home. This career choice hits all the marks, achieving a great work-life balance.

A Focus on Aviation

As a part of this unique program, you will enjoy focused learning without all the extraneous subjects and lost time, the ability to earn scholarships and the opportunity to apply for financial aid to minimize student loans.

This world-class aviation program lets you live life on your terms while attending classes online, training and being mentored by real airline pilots both in some of the newest aircraft, with top-quality instruments and top-of-the-line simulators. Textbooks are included at no extra charge.

Our program also offers a co-pilot internship with Southern Mesa Airways and tuition reimbursement.

You Belong Here

Once you get a closer look at J.A. Flight School and Liberty University, we’re confident you will know you belong here. For more information on this exciting program, contact us here. We can’t wait to hear from you!

On Oct. 10, at 7 p.m., two aviation and weather specialists are coming to J.A. Air Center to give pilots and weather enthusiasts an up-close look at what the future holds for aviation weather information tools and displays being developed by the National Weather Service.

Navigating Weather Information from the National Weather Service

These have the potential to change the face of aviation and the way pilots, technology and weather forecasting interact. Not only will it impact safety, but it will increase efficiencies. You won’t want to miss a chance to learn how this will impact you.

This one-time event will be include presentations, noteworthy demonstrations you won’t see anywhere else, and will be followed with a chance for you to ask them questions. Don’t miss this rare opportunity to spend time with two professionals at the top of their field.

Join Steve Lack, Aviation Weather Center (AWC) Techniques Development Meteorologist and Aviation Weather Testbed Lead from Kansas City, MO, and Jamie Enderlen, Chicago Center Weather Service Unit (ZAU CWSU) Meteorologist-In-Charge from Aurora, IL, as they share these exciting new advances in weather information.

Steve is currently working on developing new tools for use by Aviation Weather Center forecasters and for the Graphical Forecasts for Aviation tool on AWC’s website that is used by Flight Services.

Jamie has played a pivotal role in many national, aviation-related research projects within the National Weather Service, including Digital Aviation Services and how to effectively display aviation-related products on the web for pilots.

This event will be held at J.A. Air Center, 43W730 U.S. Hwy 30, Sugar Grove, IL. We look forward to seeing you there! Contact us for further questions.

Standard Aero is one of the leading engine repair and overhaul shops in the country. Standard Aero is the main supplier of major maintenance for Honeywell TFE731, TPE331, CFE738 and HTF7000 engines. Standard Aero also offers full service capabilities on the Pratt and Whitney PT6A, PW600, PW100 engines.

In partnership with Standard Aero, J.A. Air Center is able to provide you with the maintenance you need here at KARR while your engine is being overhauled or repaired to eliminate unwanted downtime and give you the best possible pricing available. [Read more…] about J.A. Air Center Is Now An Official Standard Aero Service Center

We are proud to announce that we have delivered our first CAV Ice Protection System on Mr. Gary Strock’s new 2016 Cessna 206H based it PA. The project was coordinated through Mr. Vincent Smith, Airview Inc. and both were VERY happy with the quality and attention to detail. Congratulations, Mr. Strock! We are proud of this project! [Read more…] about J.A. Air Center Delivers First CAV Ice Protection System