News

Jun 28 2019

Everything you Need to Know About Airplane Rental

So, you finished your pilot training and received a pilot’s license. Congratulations! Now, the only thing standing between you and the sky is access to an airplane. Buying an airplane, while very attractive in theory, is a huge financial commitment. Ownership can be unrealistic at first, especially once you add costs for storage, fuel, maintenance, repairs, and insurance to the flat cost of a plane. The good news is you have another, far more affordable, option: renting.

Can you Rent a Plane?

Yes! Plane rentals are growing in popularity, and they are a fantastic option for pilots interested in flying on their own time but without the financial means to buy their own plane. Renting has other benefits, too, like maintenance, provided storage, variety of plane model, and sometimes included fuel. You may need to do some research to find an airplane rental place near you, but flight schools and local aviation centers—like J. A. Air Center—are a good place to start.

How Much Does It Cost to Rent a Plane?

The short answer is: a lot less than buying a plane. Renting is exceptionally cost-effective. If you purchase a plane, you’re looking at paying a blanket price for the plane—depending on the year, model, and engine, probably upwards of $50,000. On top of that, you need to rent hangar space, pay monthly pilot’s insurance installments, buy gas as needed, and pay for maintenance and repairs, putting your annual spending well over $20,000. If you know you can afford it, and the ability to fly whenever and wherever you want is worth it—and it certainly can be—buying a plane is worth serious consideration. However, the financial commitment of owning a plane is very overwhelming, especially to new pilots. Renting provides a far less expensive option, albeit with less consistent availability.

Plane rentals usually charge by the hour, so you only pay for the time you use the plane. Though the exact numbers vary from company to company, rentals usually run between $150 and $500 per hour, depending on the size and engine capacity of the plane. If you, like most other recreational pilots in America, fly about fifty hours each year, depending on the plane or planes you rent, you’re looking at between $7,500 and $25,000 a year in expenses. If you’re consistently renting the most expensive options, purchasing a plane might be worth the cost, since there isn’t much cost difference. However, if you plan on renting smaller or less expensive models, renting is much cheaper than owning a plane. Some rental companies have options to pay for a set amount of time per month, and if you know how much you will fly, this is a good option as well.

An important consideration is wet renting versus dry renting. In wet renting, the cost of oil and fuel is included or reimbursed in the total charge. You don’t have to worry about budgeting specifically for these in addition to the actual rental, but you are still paying for them. If you are dry renting, oil and fuel are not included in the price and the pilot is responsible for covering both as needed. Both options have benefits. Wet renting lets the pilot show up to a full tank of gas, or depending on the company’s policy, request the amount of gas he or she would like. Dry renting allows the pilot to find cheaper options for gas and helps teach fuel management and knowledge.

Other Benefits of Renting

Maintenance. If you own a plane, you are responsible for maintaining it and finding qualified mechanics to repair it. You don’t need to worry about this when renting. Because the rental company is required to keep planes up to current standards in order to rent them out, they take care of maintenance and repairs, leaving you to simply enjoy your time in the air.
Storage. When renting a plane, you don’t need to worry about having access to a hangar to store your plane, paying to rent space on top of your other airplane expenses, or maintaining and checking on it when you aren’t using it regularly. The rental company stores and cares for the plane whenever it’s not in use.
Variety. When renting instead of buying, you can try out several models of plane, depending on the availability at your rental company. If you plan to buy a plane at some point in your future, renting is an excellent chance to get to know different plane models. Rental companies offer personal training with the plane you rent, as a way to prevent any liability issues, but it means you get a chance to learn both how to comfortably fly with different plane models and which one you are interested in buying.
Instructors. When you rent a plane model for the first time, the rental company will provide you with an instructor, so you know how to use the specific controls for that model. This means that you are guaranteed to have an instructor no matter what plane you rent, something you can’t count on if you buy a plane.
Options. You can pick the vehicle to suit your needs for each trip. If you plan on going on a solo day trip, you can rent a smaller—and potentially faster—airplane. If you’re carpooling (plane-pooling?) with coworkers for a conference, you probably need more seats—most rental companies will have models with up to four seats. By renting instead of buying, you can use your flight skills for different types of trips.

Renting a plane has a lot of benefits. On top of the thousands of dollars you can save, on maintenance and storage as well as the plane itself, you get other perks, like getting to find out what type of plane you like flying, or using different sized planes to take friends and family with you. If you’re interested in learning more about airplane rental, check out our rental options, or contact us. We look forward to working with you!

Jun 07 2019

What are the Requirements for a Multi-Engine Rating?

Single-engine aircraft are like riding a bike; in terms of flying, it’s the first aircraft you learn to operate and handle. Multi-engine is more like driving a car. You may think that flying is flying no matter the aircraft. While this is true, multi-engine planes open up a whole new world for pilots to experience. So, what are the necessary steps to be able to get a multi-engine rating?

What is a Multi-Engine Rating?

A multi-engine rating is just that: a certificate that allows pilots to operate an aircraft with more than one engine. It is an add-on to an already existing commercial, private, or ATP (Airline Transport Pilot) license or certificate. Multi-engine ratings are exciting because they allow pilots to have a different experience in the air: aircraft performance is highly improved, as well as an increase in speed, power, and climbing rate.

Once you have acquired your private certificate, you may ask yourself if you can get your multi-engine rating now. The answer is yes, but to save money, you should wait until you have earned your commercial license and instrument rating.

Requirements for Multi-Engine Rating

Prerequisites:

The pilot seeking multi-engine rating must have a current Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) medical and provide citizenship proof (like a passport or birth certificate) or have TSA (Transportation Security Administration) approval. They are required to already have a license as a single-engine pilot. Lastly, it is strongly suggested that they be current, because if not they may need to log more hours.

FAA Requirements:

Before taking the practical test, a pilot must pass the APT aeronautical knowledge test within two years of the practical test and present a current (unexpired) Computer Test Report. They must have the aeronautical experience stated in Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), which applies to that aircraft category and class rating. The pilot must also have at least a third-class medical for as much as can be completed (sometimes parts of the medical certification must occur inside the aircraft). They must be at least 23 years old and be able to speak, write, and understand English.

The FAA also requires training in each of these areas: preflight prep and procedures; airport operations; takeoffs, landings, and go-around; performance maneuvers; navigation; slow flight and stalls; emergency, multi-engine, and high-altitude ops; and post-flight procedures.

General Requirements:

Both ground and flight training are to be completed. Ground training includes aircraft systems, principles of flight for normal and single-engine, aerodynamics, and weight and balance. Flight training is made up of both normal and emergency multi-engine plane operations and maneuvers. Overall, it takes less than a week to complete.

Cost to Obtain

The total cost usually adds up to around $2,000-$6,000, depending on where you go. You have to pay to use the planes for training and for books and materials. Of course, you have to pay the instructor and for the aircraft rental and FAA examiner fee, both of which are part of the checkride process.

Aviation Schools

If you’re looking for the best aviation courses in the Chicago area, look no further than J.A. Flight Services! We offer flight training programs along with internships. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to become a commercial pilot and need to earn your MEL (Multi-Engine License) contact us for more information or to get going today!

May 31 2019

Aircraft Parts for Sale: Here’s What You Should Ask

If you are in the market for aircraft parts for sale, this can be a daunting process. You are probably asking yourself a lot of questions and are unsure of where to start. You also need to make sure that wherever you choose to buy from is a trusted place that will sell you legitimate and safe parts. Here are some important questions to ask—and answer—before buying aircraft parts.

Are These Sources Reliable?

When you are researching where to buy aircraft parts, it’s important to make sure that the sources you find are credible and reliable. They should be accredited or certified so you know that the parts they are offering are authentic.

There should be an inspection process included in the company before they even put parts out to be sold. Both electronics and hardware should be thoroughly inspected by labs to ensure quality, safety, and integrity of the aircraft parts for sale.

Make sure to verify the serial number and the parts to see whether they are a proper match for your aircraft. You don’t want to end up with parts that don’t fit or are not safe when matched with the other equipment and parts of your plane.

Is the Part New or Used?

This is probably the most important question to ask when looking at aircraft parts for sale, because this can help determine the quality. Whether new or used, you want to ask if the part is certified and accurately able to be used in an airplane.

If the part is used, ask if there is any corrosion, damage, or manufacturer defects. Another question to ask is if the part works properly as designed. If not, can it be repaired safely?

Does This Supplier Provide Warranty?

Warranties are important in any line of purchasing, but especially when buying aircraft parts. It is extremely important to make sure that these parts do not have any defects or damages that cause problems in the air, because this can be life-threatening. Having a warranty also shows that the company trusts their products and cares about your safety—if issues arise, they will be there to help and resolve the situation as best as they can.

Will Requests Be Handled in a Timely Manner?

Sometimes, you need a part ASAP in order to continue flying safely. For this reason, you must choose an aircraft parts seller that includes estimates for processing and shipping times and will keep you notified on the timeline. You should be able to know when your part will arrive so that you can plan for personal trips or jobs accordingly.

Aircraft Parts for Sale

At J.A. Air Center, we offer used avionics as well as other aircraft parts for sale including oil, oil filters, and spark plugs. We also sell pilot supplies and have detailing services if you’re looking to freshen up your plane. We even have a handful of airplanes for sale, so be sure to check those out. Whatever aircraft needs you have, be sure to stop by J.A. Air!

May 17 2019

What is the Best Path for Becoming a Commercial Pilot?

If you’ve always dreamed about the thrill, challenges, and adventure that come with being a commercial pilot, then what are you waiting for? As long as you are 18 years old, you can obtain your private license, which is necessary before going commercial. Yes, the path to becoming a commercial pilot can be long (and expensive), but if you fantasize about exploring the skies, it will be full of excitement—and totally worth it!

What is a Commercial Pilot?

Being a commercial pilot means that the person with a commercial pilot license is allowed, by the government, to be paid for their work.

A commercial pilot can have a few titles outside of being an airline pilot. They can be cargo pilots, tour pilots, backcountry pilots, ferry pilots, glider tow pilots, or flight instructors. They can fly blimps or helicopters and transport cargo rather than just humans. Although typically, the term “commercial pilot” is most associated with airline pilots. But keep in mind that although the FAA requires you to retire from airline pilot jobs at the age of 65, you can still keep flying privately, for tours, for crop-dusting, or for any of the other jobs mentioned!

Best Licensing Path

As an aspiring commercial pilot, you can choose to pursue a degree in tandem with your commercial license. In this case, your first step is choosing a major that is related. You must obtain a bachelor’s degree in aircraft or flight operations, aviation/aviation management, aeronautical engineering, or something else that is similar. Although you can get a bachelor’s degree in anything, it makes the most sense and would be beneficial to major in something related to aircraft operations or aviation. Or, you can pursue a degree-free flight program, such as J.A. Air’s Southern Airways program. This option is more cost-effective than a degree program. However, both options are excellent pathways to pursuing your dream of commercial flying.

Becoming a Commercial Pilot: Requirements

There is a long list of tasks to be accomplished before you can become a commercial pilot.

Private Pilot Certificate: This certificate is earned by starting in a single-engine plane. It is earned after finishing ground school training, which focuses on fundamentals of aircrafts and flying, as well as setting the foundation for all of the advanced ratings and certificates to come.

Instrument Rating: Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) is a regulation that deals with all aircraft operations. It is controlled by the FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) and says that pilots are allowed to fly under weather conditions when outside visual reference is not safe. Flight deck instruments are vital in allowing this navigation to happen. Basically, instrument rating gives pilots the ability to fly under almost any weather conditions.

Medical Certificate: In order to have any type of pilot’s license and fly solo, you are required to have a medical certificate. To obtain this, you must pass a physical exam performed by an FAA-authorized aviation medical examiner (AME). All students will have a third-class medical. For commercial pilots, you need a second-class medical certificate, which is valid for twelve months and must then be renewed yearly. In order to become a captain, you will need to have a first-class medical, which is renewed every 6 months. For pilots under the age of 40, medicals are renewed yearly, but once you pass 40, they are to be renewed every 6 months.

If you have a physical disability or health condition, in most cases, you can still get a special issuance (SI) medical certification. There are many regulations and rules within this; your AME cannot give you the certificate until it is cleared by the FAA. This must also be reevaluated every twelve months and can be withdrawn if there are any adverse changes to your condition. Be sure to check with the FAA or your aviation medical examiner for questions and next steps.

FAA Written Exams: These will happen at various times throughout your commercial pilot education. Each certificate and rating will be concluded with an exam, made up of a number of questions within a designated time limit. The tests consist of multiple-choice and some short answer questions, depending on the certificate. You need at least a 70% or higher to pass them.

Air Time: As you get started on becoming a commercial pilot, remember you need to already have your private pilot license. From here, you must be at least 18 years old and have at least 250 hours of flight time. You need 100 hours as pilot-in-command (PIC), 50 hours of cross-country time, 10 hours of instrument training, and 10 hours of solo flight.

Multi-Engine Rating: This certificate is what gives a single-engine pilot the training and ability to fly planes with more than one engine. There are a few prerequisites necessary for this such as having a medical, a pilot license, and you must take the FAA practical test. Then, you can go on to flight training and lastly, the multi-engine checkride.

ATP Certificate: The Airline Transport Pilot certificate is the highest level of aircraft pilot certificate.

You must be at least 23 years old for a non-restricted ATP and already have an instrument rating. You are required to have 1,500 hours of pilot flight time, 500 hours of cross-country flight time, 100 hours of night flying time (or 75 hours and 45 full stop landings at night), and 75 hours of instrument flight time (or 50 flight and 25 simulator hours). You are also required to complete the ATP Certification Training Program and then pass ATP knowledge and practical tests.

Checkride: This is the final step in earning your commercial pilot license and, depending on your program of choice, your degree. It is the practical test, where you are the captain of the plane and the copilot’s place will be held by a check-airman or designated pilot examiner. They are there to make sure that you demonstrate competency in all of the skills required for Airman Certification Standards.

Become a Commercial Pilot with J.A. Air Center

J.A. Air offers flight training programs that allow for FAA certification as well as aircraft rental. Our program allows students to learn flight instruction operation for a lower price and in less than 4 years. Veteran pilots can also come back to receive additional certificates or advance their knowledge! We also offer flight programs in partnership with Liberty University, Southern Airways, and Skywest Airlines. Students who enroll in Liberty, Southern, or Skywest experience incredible career opportunities. Don’t hesitate to start your career in becoming a commercial pilot with J.A. Air Center!

May 03 2019

5 Items to Always Have in Your Flight Bag

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.

Apr 26 2019

What’s the Average Cost to Obtain a Commercial Pilot’s License?

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.