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Owning your own aircraft is certainly a joyful and freeing experience. It can also be a painfully expensive one, especially when unexpected problems arise and threaten to take a large bite out of your wallet. The new Piston Engine Service Program (PESP) is like Kevlar for your finances, protecting both your investment and your wallet from the unpredictable.

AeroEngine Protection Corp. (AEPC) offers the only PESP available in the general aviation industry. Professionals from AEPC used data from large fleet overhauls and more than 4,000 piston-aircraft overhauls over a 20-year period before designing the different programs they offer.

Owners of piston aircraft are now able to manage the risk of costly unplanned expenses through PESP. This engine maintenance program not only protects current owners of an aircraft, but it is transferrable to a new owner should the aircraft have time left on the program when sold.

What is Covered Under the PESP?

The list of what is covered under the PESP is impressive, starting with 100% parts and labor for all unscheduled maintenance of the engine’s covered components. Enrollment can be done at any time, with agreements for both new and used aircraft up to seven years, and options to renew. It is fully transferrable.

Under the program, unscheduled maintenance can be performed by any FAA-approved owner/operator and a broad list of engine components are covered, including loaners and ground freight. If you are grounded more than five days waiting for parts, you will be paid for loss of use, up to $500 and if away from your base airport, you will be paid up to $300 for trip interruption expenses.

With the two top-tiered programs, PESP Plus and PESP Care, 100% parts and labor coverage for engine accessories is covered, and the top-of-the-line program also covers scheduled service such as the annual inspections/overhaul.

Engines that are covered by the PESP plans include the Lycoming O-320, IO-360, O-360 and IO-540 and the Continental IO-360 and IO-550.

Benefits of a PESP

Benefits include increased aircraft value that will appear in the Aircraft Blue Book, coverage and risk transfer beyond the warranty period, a fixed budget for all unscheduled maintenance, and increased aircraft dispatch availability.

This fleet of programs comes at just the right time in an industry that is seeing costs and maintenance requirements on the rise. Providing an alternative to the norm of simply dealing with problems as they arise and hoping the resulting bill is affordable, the minimization of risk and stabilization of unscheduled service bills is a huge opportunity for piston aircraft owners.

Call for More Information

Partnering with AEPC lets J.A. Air Center offer our clients the predictability, protection, and peace of mind that owners of turbine engines have enjoyed for decades. Be sure to give us a call for more information on how this program can save you money.

We are committed to offering valuable services we believe will make a difference for our clients, whether it’s a chance to minimize financial risk, to have top-quality repairs, to have well-timed and timely inspections done, or any of the many services we offer at our luxurious and well-appointed FBO in Aurora, Illinois, just west of Chicago.

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!

 

Winter Special – JA Flight Services is please to offer 50% off the instructor fee on all rental checkouts.  JA offers some of the nicest rental aircraft in the Chicagoland area and employs a full-time staff of instructors to expedite all checkouts.  Among the rental aircraft available at JA are:

• 2009 Diamond DA-42 with Garmin G1000
• 2006 Beechcraft G-36 Bonanza with Garmin G1000 and TKS known Ice
• 2007 Cessna 172S with Garmin G1000 (3 to choose from)
• 1982 Cessna 172RG, Garmin equipped
• 1980 Cessna 172N….IFR equipped, great rate!

Call JA Flight Services today at 630-549-2152 to schedule your checkout.  Visit our fleet

A Fixed-Base Operator (FBO) is commonly thought of as services for private jets at an airport, but using operations instead is a better fit. FBO’s can range from a small VIP lounge within an airport terminal, to a large facility built specifically to offer services to not only crew and customers, but to also take care of the aircraft.

So, what does all this mean? What does it include? At J.A. Air Center, a lot.

State-of-the-Art

The new J.A. Air Center at Aurora Municipal Airport is the Midwest’s premier FBO, featuring a private terminal where pilots, crew and passengers are treated to concierge-level services and have access to every possible amenity to make the visit memorable and comfortable.

Stretching out from the terminal is a 20,000 square foot canopy that will allow for drive-up service for any size aircraft, something that earns praise from customers during inclement weather.

Once inside the terminal, you will be greeted and directed where to find whatever pleases you–a relaxing pilot lounge, convenient access to computers, pilot snooze rooms, a workout center and corporate office space. The Pilot Store stocks a full line of the latest avionics equipment from top manufacturer, Garmin, as well as a variety of other aviation essentials.

Aircraft Amenities

If 150,000 square feet sounds like a lot of space, it is. J.A. Air Center caters to the aircraft as well, with plenty of room to house company jets and complete flight departments. This lets us not only protect aircrafts from the elements—this is Chicagoland!—but it also gives easy access to our on-site staff of expert mechanics. This allows us to perform routine maintenance with a minimum of fuss and downtime.

We are also an FAA-certified, Part 145 repair station, stocking a huge inventory of parts and equipment. This means we can get our hands on the latest avionics technology and provide award-winning service for our customers.

One-Stop-Shop

J.A. Air Center is a full-service FBO, and there isn’t a single detail that’s been overlooked. The list of services is impressive and designed to make sure that every service needed is available.

This includes: aircraft detailing; aircraft hangar space; fueling service; ground handling; crew services; passenger services; ground transportation; certified aircraft maintenance; aircraft charter; and flight instruction.

No other FBO in the region can even come close to what we offer, especially when you consider our location, outside the hustle and traffic of downtown Chicago. We are a hub for personal and professional travel to the city and the major technology corridor that stretches between.

A favorite place for pilots to call their permanent home, we are also known for our corporate office space that is quickly filling up. If you need an office space to call home, we might have the perfect place for you.

What it’s All About

At the end of the day, or flight, it’s all about you–the pilot, the crew, the passengers, the trainees, the buyers with dreams of buying their first aircraft, or their 100th—and taking care of your every need.

Our certified mechanics and aviation professionals have come a long way from their “barnstormer” predecessors in the 1920’s, where business was transient and conducted from one farmers’ field to another, but their passion for aviation has never been stronger.

Contact us today to see how we can help you.