Tag Archives: pilots

Pilots Who Train to Perform at Airshows

13 September 2022 Monmouth Jet Center

If you’ve ever attended an airshow then you’ve seen how impressive airshow pilot performers can be! They fly through the air at great speeds while performing dazzling acrobatic tricks and incredibly intricate maneuvers, much to the delight of the crowds on the ground. Watching airshow pilots is awe-inspiring and exciting, and you might be wondering how these extremely skilled pilots developed their abilities.

The Journey to Become an Airshow Pilot

The journey to become an airshow pilot is not an easy one. In addition to having a true love for flying, those interested in becoming an airshow pilot need to follow several steps:

Obtain a private pilot certificate. This includes logging a minimum of 40 hours in the air, and comes with several other requirements.
Obtain a commercial license. For this license you must log a minimum of 250 flight hours.
Go to aerobatic school. Here you’ll learn emergency maneuvers, basic aerobatics, high-performance aerobatics, and complex maneuvers. Aerobatic school comes at a steep price of around $8k and is only for those who are serious about pursuing their passion as an airshow pilot.
Pass the Aerobatic Competency Evaluation (ACE). This includes performing a choreographed routine, competing in amateur competitions, applying to fly in small-town airshows, getting sponsorship, and then entering larger airshows.

The Life of an Airshow Pilot

As you can imagine, the life of an airshow pilot is exciting, fun, action-packed, and often glamorous. However, performing in airshows only takes up a small percentage of a pilot’s time, and the rest of the time is usually spent traveling to the next airshow location, submitting applications to various airshows across the country, signing contracts, completing insurance paperwork, applying for the necessary permits, and of course, keeping their certifications and aircrafts up to date.

Pilots who want to perform in airshows must join the International Council of Airshows (ICAS), and all members are required to renew their membership every two years. So behind the flashy routines in the sky, a lot of work goes into being an airshow pilot.

How they create their performance routine

Airshow pilots are performers at heart, and they love putting on a show. First they select their music, and this is important because music sets the mood for the audience. Perhaps they want something fast and dramatic, or maybe they prefer something a little slower but with periodic faster moments throughout. A typical airshow lasts for a song or two.

Once the music has been chosen it’s time to choreograph the routine, and this is where pilots can let their personality show. Some pilots prefer aggressive and daring routines, dipping close to the ground at impressive speeds, while others opt for smoother, sophisticated routines, performing daring yet classic maneuvers above a breathless audience. No matter what kind of airshow you see, we guarantee you’ll be impressed.

For more information on training to become a pilot, or if you have any questions, please contact our team at Monmouth Jet Center today. We look forward to hearing from you.

Are You Physically Qualified to Fly an Airplane?

7 June 2022 Monmouth Jet Center

Being a pilot is a huge responsibility because peoples’ lives depend on you being able to do your job. Pilots undergo a great deal of training and must have mental acuity, but did you also know they must be physically qualified to fly? You may not think that being a pilot is a physically demanding job, however there are requirements that individuals must meet in order to be authorized to fly.

In this article, we’ll discuss the physical requirements one must meet to become a pilot, what the physical exam consists of, and the overall importance of staying healthy. If you have any questions please contact our team at Monmouth Jet Center.

Health Requirements To Become a Pilot

Vision and eyesight requirements: Understandably, pilots must have close to perfect vision, with or without correction. The exact requirements vary depending on which Medical certificate you need. A first class medical needs 20/20 distant vision, and 20/40 for near vision. A third class medical can get by with 20/40 distant vision. Color Blindness can disqualify you from being a pilot as it makes you unable to correctly identify essential controls, lights, and buttons.

Hearing requirements: Pilots must have good hearing to hear and communicate via radio with other pilots and towered airports. This is crucial for landing instructions, and hearing other pilots announcements that are in your immediate location. To pass the hearing portion of the medical exam you need to be able to hear an average conversational voice in a quiet room from six feet away. As far as audiology you need to score at least 70% in one ear at an intensity no greater than 65 dB.

Mental and Physical Health: You must be deemed mentally capable and healthy to become a pilot by a trained aviation medical examiner. Any diagnosis of psychosis, bipolar or personality disorders will fail the mental examination. An FAA examiner must deny anyone with Coronary heart disease, cardiac valve replacement, heart replacement, epilepsy, amongst many other medical conditions for safety reasons.

Doctor Physical To Get Approved To Fly

Aspiring pilots must have a physical conducted by an FAA-approved physician. You can’t simply go to your primary care provider for a pilot physical, you must choose one that is authorized by the FAA to administer a pilot’s medical exam. Here’s what you can expect during the exam:

Full body exam
Check your height and weight
Check your blood pressure and pulse
Check your vision and hearing
Review past or ongoing medical conditions
A mental and neurological exam
Urine test

The Importance of Being Healthy

Physical, mental, and emotional health are all extremely important for pilots and aspiring pilots. Being healthy is a required and necessary part of the job. Flying a plane comes with an immense responsibility, not just for yourself and everyone on board but also for other pilots in the sky, as well as civilians on the ground.

If you’d like more information about the physical requirements for pilots, or if you have any flight questions, please contact our team at Monmouth Jet Center today. We look forward to hearing from you.

What You Need to Know About Flying in Extreme Weather

11 January 2022 Learn to Fly

If you’ve ever experienced flying in extreme weather then you know how frightening it can be. A little bit of turbulence every now and then is completely normal, but when you’re on a flight and the weather conditions include heavy rain, thunder, lightning, strong winds, snow, severe fog, or extreme heat, it can affect the aircraft and the quality of your trip.

It’s important to remember that pilots are trained to fly in extreme weather, so while it’s a scary experience as a passenger, pilots have the necessary training to keep the situation under control. There may be times where the weather conditions are so severe that the pilots deem it unsafe to fly, or they may make an emergency landing. Here’s how the pilots, and other team members at Monmouth Jet Center make that judgment call:

How do pilots and airlines prepare for bad weather conditions?

Airlines constantly monitor weather conditions to ensure the safety of everyone on board, and modern commercial aircraft are built to accommodate extreme weather. For example, in heavy fog when there’s no visibility, many aircraft have an autopilot feature so the plane can land even when there’s low visibility.

Strong winds can cause turbulence, but this is common in the air. Pilots will maneuver the aircraft as steadily as possible when strong winds occur. When it comes to flying in snow or ice however, pilots must be more aware of the condition of the runway. This is because ice can quickly build up and cause dangerous landing conditions.

What weather conditions are considered too extreme for any aircraft to fly?

There are times when airlines and pilots will deem it unsafe to fly. Heavy snow or blizzards can make landing and taking off too dangerous, while lightning storms can be very hazardous to any aircraft. Extreme heat can also interfere with an aircraft’s performance, so in hotter parts of the world, extreme temperatures can cause significant delays.

We would all like to take flights with zero interference from the weather conditions, but chances are you’ve experienced turbulence, heavy fog, rain, or snow while on an airplane at least once before. Rest assured that commercial aircraft are built to withstand extreme weather conditions, and pilots are trained to safely navigate through adverse weather.

For more information about how we navigate extreme weather conditions at Monmouth Jet Center, please give us a call today or visit our website.

Jet service and hangar space – rent or build?

7 December 2021 Hangar Space

If you’re in the market for aircraft hangar space then you have several options: renting, buying, or building. Your aircraft is a big investment and having a safe place to store it is essential. In this article, our NJ team at Monmouth Jet Center explores the various options available to you when it comes to acquiring hangar space.

Investor owned or leased?

If you want to invest in your own aircraft hangar, you always have the option to lease it when you’re not using it. Many investors negotiate ground leases with local aircraft owners who need hangar space. And at smaller airports like Monmouth Jet Center, you’ll never have to put your name on a waiting list or wonder if there will be space for your aircraft.

Advantages of owning a hangar

When you own a private hangar you can customize it to your exact specifications. You’ll never need to negotiate any hangar leases or worry about finding hangar space to rent, and you’ll have the peace of mind that comes from knowing your aircraft is completely secure. Another advantage of owning a hangar is you always have the option to rent it out in the future, earning you extra income.

The cost of building your own facility

Costs vary depending on your needs, but as a general rule, you can expect to spend $22 per square foot when building a custom aircraft hangar. It’s important to understand that when you build your own facility, you will technically own the hangar, but you’ll still be leasing the ground it’s built on. You’ll also be responsible for insurance costs, maintenance costs, repairs, and any upgrades you decide on.

The benefits of leasing space

Leasing can be a convenient option if you aren’t ready for the responsibility of owning your own hangar. Each airport has its own terms and conditions with ground leases, and at Monmouth we do our best to accommodate your needs and your schedule.

If you’d like to know more about renting or building custom hangar space, or if you have any questions about our airport, please contact our team at Monmouth Jet Center today. We look forward to hearing from you.

World-class jet services offered to operators

2 November 2021 General

At Monmouth Executive Airport, we’re proud to offer world-class jet services to our clients. Flying doesn’t need to be stressful, and we offer operators everything from basic fuel to full concierge service. Conveniently located near New York City and many other popular destinations, Monmouth Jet Center welcomes charter jets, private aircraft, and aircraft operators to use our airport and experience the difference. The level of service you’ll receive with us is unparalleled!

Monmouth offers fast fuel

When charter jets land at a destination, they often need to re-fuel quickly and take off for their next trip. At Monmouth Jet Center, we offer fast refuelling so you can be on your way to your next destination. When you refuel at larger commercial airports you often have to wait in a line, but you won’t need to wait at Monmouth.

Convenience even on short notice

Need an aircraft hangar on short notice? That’s no problem! Many jet operators prefer to use smaller regional airports like Monmouth Jet Center because they’re conveniently located and have available hangar space.

Aircraft de-iced with environmentally-safe fluids

Now that we’re in the winter months, de-icing your aircraft is essential. Unfortunately many de-icing fluids contain harsh chemicals that are damaging to the environment, but at Monmouth Jet Center we only use environmentally-safe de-icing fluid.

Full customs and security clearance facilities

Safety and security is of the utmost importance to us, and we offer full customs and security clearance facilities without the long wait times you’ll encounter at large international airports. You’ll be cleared through security and boarding your flight in no time.

Ground transportation services

We have on-site rental car services and can arrange a taxi or limousine for you. Monmouth Jet Center is conveniently located near NYC, Philadelphia, and the Jersey Shore, so you can de-plane and be on your way to your destination quickly with your vehicle of choice.

Aircraft cleaning

Our aircraft maintenance team offers cleaning and repair services to keep your aircraft in top working condition at all times. Keeping planes and jets clean and well maintained is important for safety and for the life of the aircraft.

In-Flight Catering

Part of traveling on a private jet charter is enjoying the many amenities that come with it, including in-flight catering services. Whether you just need snacks and coffees for a shorter flight, or a full meal service for longer trips, we’ve got you covered with many delicious food and drink options.

Terminal services

We want you to be as comfortable as possible while waiting in the terminal, which is why we provide WiFi, drinks, snacks, restroom facilities, and a lounge area for your leisure.

For more information about using Monmouth Jet Center, or if you have any questions, please contact our team today or visit our website at: https://monmouthjetcenter.com/