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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.

Are you thinking about selling your aircraft? Great! Are you considering selling it yourself? Well, not so great. Despite what you may think, selling aircraft is not an easy job, and it can be very time-consuming. This is what aircraft brokerage services are meant for.

Sure, you know people in the industry, you have some experience in sales, and you know your aircraft. All of that is great, but it’s still better to hire an aircraft broker to sell it for you. Are there costs for them to sell it? Of course. There are also costs if you sell it, and they could be higher.

At the end of the day, hiring a broker can not only give you peace of mind, they let you keep your schedule intact. No missed meetings or late appointments because you’re answering calls and digging up information you didn’t think anyone would be interested in. All you have to do is connect with your broker once in a while and collect the check when it comes in.

Brokers Save You Money

Brokers and their sales team will perform a market analysis so that your aircraft is sold for the perfect price, leaving nothing on the table. They will also put together a sales campaign, listing it both domestically and internationally, answer every call, talk to every interested buyer, answer every question, follow up on every lead, and negotiate the sale for you.

We Put Together a Campaign

We will launch a specific, targeted campaign built around your aircraft specifically and will launch it both abroad and here at home, in the U.S. This will generate interest that our experienced team will turn into serious prospects.

Keep up on Trends

Our team keeps up on all sales trends, knowing that what worked last year–or even last month—may need updating or tweaking. Buyers today are more sophisticated than ever before and research aircraft differently than they used to. We not only know how to reach them, we DO reach them.

We Play Excellent Follow Up

Follow-up is the name of the game. About 80 percent of sales are made on the fifth to 12th contact, according to the National Sales Executive Association. If you don’t follow up, don’t bother playing the game. This is the time we help your buyer overcome any stumbling blocks he may have before signing on the dotted line.

We Relate Well

Buyers aren’t interested in your sentiments and memories. That sounds harsh, but it’s true. With a broker they know they won’t get bogged down with emotional baggage and will receive professional assistance to buy the aircraft of their dreams—yours! They appreciate pros who can answer every question quickly and easily, helping them across the finish line with no problems.

Let’s Be Partners

We know your time is valuable. Ask yourself, where would your time be best spent? Doing what you love and do best? Or training someone to replace you every time you have to go show your aircraft to a potential buyer? Let us answer the pesky questions, give the tour, and stroke the potential buyer for you.

We put our experience and expertise to work for you. Give us a call at J.A. Air Center and let us take care of the rest.

Private aviation, which includes business aviation, is not one of those static industries where everything stays the same. It’s dynamic and always on the move, literally and figuratively. This makes it important to keep up with the trends in private aviation for 2019, in order to stay relevant in the market.

Industry Growth

Operators are predicting growth in the private jet market even though new aircraft sales have been a bit flat of late. That’s good news for the used aircraft market and the growth extends beyond providers to a growing (and younger) clientele. Entrepreneurs and Millennials are ready to explore private travel.

Pilot Shortage

The much-talked-about pilot shortage is still not only looming on the horizon (a shortage of 800,000 predicted over the next 20 years), but is currently felt by the private aviation community as it competes against commercial airlines who offer signing bonuses, regular flight schedules, and longevity.

Shared Charter Programs

Over the last few years, there have been efforts to take seat-sharing on charter flights to the next level. 2019 may be the year to see charter companies come up with a viable business model that bridges the gap between profit and loss.

Impending Regulation Impacts

Time is winding down for those yet to comply with the ADS-B requirement put in place by the Federal Aviation Authority (FAA). This expensive upgrade to tracking systems on older aircraft is required to be in place by January, 2020. It is expected to impact the preowned aircraft market, and possibly increase charter costs for older aircraft.

Increased Demand for Extreme Weather Charters

The number of on-demand charter flights related to extreme weather has spiked the last few years, whether due to fires, flooding, heavy snowfall, hurricanes or other emergencies. This could be for local evacuation purposes, bringing in supplies or crews, or for transport of government officials or media. Since private aviators can fly in and out quickly during these types of extreme weather events, and such events seem to be on the increase, it’s anticipated there will be more of these types of flights this year.

Digital or Die

Die might be a bit dramatic, but it’s obvious the wave of the future is here. Digital communication is no longer something cool, it’s something expected and those who don’t embrace the technology that includes social media, chat, instant messaging, and 24-hour phone support may struggle to compete in the marketplace. Customers expect these services that allow for faster and more efficient exchange of information.

Need for Infrastructure

Along with the predictions for a pilot shortage, are increases in the numbers of passengers, year after year. This could mean that not only will there be a struggle to get enough pilots, it could signal another struggle—to keep up with the needs of airport infrastructure. In the private sector, airport FBO’s, like J.A. Air Center, have done the upgrading needed to meet the increased demand for the long-term.

Interested in Chartering?

Do have a need for, or an interest in, chartering a flight? Give us a call at J.A. Air Charter today for more information or to book a flight.

New or experienced, young or old, it doesn’t matter. Pilots have flying in their blood, and once it’s there, it’s there to stay. They have such passion for flying, it’s not surprising that most, if not all, dream of one day owning their own aircraft. Cost is the barrier most face, but bringing older planes back to life is one way to leap over into ownership.

When new light-sport aircrafts cost at least $150,000 and close to $250,000 for entry-level Part 23, it’s no surprise that a lot of pilots can’t do more than stare in envy. What if that didn’t have to be the case? What if you could be cool and retro, finding and rehabbing an old plane that doesn’t deserve to die just yet?

Finding the Right One

There are a lot of great older planes out there. That’s because between 1965 and 1980 there were about 215,000 piston planes built and 10,000 general aviation planes. That’s about 14,000 produced each year, while today, less than 1,000 are produced annually.

If you are willing to buy one that needs some work—often either a panel upgrade or an engine overhaul, you can buy one for less, knowing you will have a sizable bill ahead of you. The bonus in that is your ability to then have the repair work done at a shop of your choosing.

Patience with finding the aircraft that is right for you can be fairly demanding and take a lot of your time, or you can ask a professional to do the legwork for you.

J.A. Aero offers acquisition services that will save you countless hours searching. Let us know what you are looking for, what your budget is for not only the purchase, but also any needed refurbishment or repairs. With more than 30 years’ experience helping pilots find the right aircraft, we know all the right questions to ask.

Having help with a major purchase like this, especially when there are an overwhelming number of options when it comes to performance, characteristics, and price, can mean the difference between a beloved plane that gets a lot of use and one that is an expensive dust collector.

Questions to Ask

Before buying any aircraft, there are a number of questions you should obtain answers to:

•     Who performed the last annual inspection?
•     Who performed the overhaul, and are they reputable?
•     Are all A.D.’s complied with?
•     Is it right time to buy an aircraft?
•     What are all available aircraft options?
•     Is there a damage history on the aircraft?
•     Is the price appropriate?
•     Are there any liens against the aircraft?
•     What financing is available?

The Beauty of Professional Help

There are a lot of details you should know before agreeing to the purchase of an aircraft, including what repairs will be necessary right away, what will need to be done sometime down the line, and what it all will cost you. Then there are the “electives”—those things you would like done “just because.”

J.A. Aero will ask those questions for you, give you a comprehensive overview of the current condition of the aircraft, what must be done, what you may want to consider doing, along with other options and they will not only negotiate on your behalf, but also give you the after-purchase costs involved.

Acquisition consultations are free and often lead to not only the best value aircraft, but the best choice for YOU. Call today to set up an appointment.

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.