aviation career Archives - FLYING Magazine

How to Become an Aerobatic or Airshow Pilot

John McDermott — Mon, 16 Sep 2024 15:47:51 +0000

Aerobatic pilots stand out in the aviation field. They showcase incredible skills and strength, and attract many to aviation.

Becoming an aerobatic or airshow pilot is a dream for many, but there are many steps to go through to achieve that goal.

Start With Primary Pilot Training

As with becoming any type of specialized pilot, the first step to becoming an airshow pilot is to become a private pilot. Such training teaches the basics of aircraft control, energy management, and aeronautical decision making.

Many airshow pilots also consider getting a commercial pilot certificate, regardless of whether they plan to fly in the events for a living. The additional training provides more expertise and aircraft control, and it builds upon the concepts learned during private pilot training to make an aviator more complete and well-rounded.

Specialized Aerobatic Training

After primary training, aerobatic pilots then need to go through aerobatic pilot training to hone their stunt skills.

A number of flight schools around the country provide acrobatic training in aircraft such as the Cessna Aerobat, Pitts Special, or American Champion Decathlon.

In addition to special training, aerobatic flight schools employ instructors with significant experience flying acrobatics. Real-world experience is a great benefit to help newer pilots learn the trade of aerobatic aviation.

To become a stunt pilot, one must complete at least 10 hours with an aerobatic instructor on top of the requirements to achieve an FAA pilot certificate. It is recommended that aerobatic training not be completed until a pilot receives their primary training and certification to make the process of becoming a stunt pilot easier.

It is important to note that one can become a stunt pilot with only an endorsement. This means that they fly with an instructor until it’s determined they are proficient to act as an aerobatic pilot by themselves. No additional FAA exam is required.

Maintaining proficiency as a stunt pilot is no easy feat.

After receiving their endorsement, a pilot should practice regularly to make sure their skills, decision making, and reaction times stay sharp. This is especially important for pilots performing at airshows or flying in formation with other aerobatic aircraft.

Career Opportunities for Aerobatic Pilots

Some stunt pilots are happy to fly only for themselves. They may enjoy the adrenaline of flying aerobatics or want access to a unique sector of aviation not available to all.

However, some decide to continue into a career as an aerobatic pilot. Many go on to fly as instructors or in fields such as aerial photography or film. Still others become test pilots, flying new or modified aircraft to ensure their performance and safety.

Again, flying in airshows is a top attraction for many stunt pilots. Some airshows are operated by volunteers flying antique or unique aircraft, while others are professional pilots who tour the country—or world—as part of an act. Major airshows across the country attract hundreds or thousands of paying viewers excited to witness a special facet of aviation.

Some stunt pilots are even sponsored by companies or branches of the military. Acrobatic flying can be such a spectacle that planes painted in certain colors can bring significant visibility in key demographics.

In addition, large companies and the military are among the few who have the resources to fund and maintain fleets of aerobatic aircraft, often jets, as they tour.

Resources to Start Training

There are a number of organizations that help pilots work toward acrobatic training and maintain proficiency as stunt pilots.

The International Aerobatic Club (IAC), for example, sponsors events and educational programs to help pilots attain and maintain their aerobatic proficiency. The Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) is also a great place to make connections with pilots who have the knowledge and skills to help with aerobatic training.

Local pilots will know the best places to start aerobatic training. Participating in local IAC and EAA chapters, or stopping in at the local FBO, could help prospective pilots learn more about how and where to get started.

A great way to test out aerobatic flying is to visit a flight school with planes that can perform basic spins.

Every flight instructor in the U.S. is required to complete spins during their instructor training and thus have experience with the maneuver. Getting flight time practicing spins can help pilots decide whether acrobatic flight is a path they would like to pursue more in depth. If not, simply practicing spins can provide an adrenaline rush and help pilots hone their basic airmanship.

Ultimately, acrobatic flying is an exciting path to take. Whether you want to pursue acrobatics as a career or simply want to learn to improve your flying skills, there are resources across the country to help you pursue your passions.

Acrobatics help you learn energy management in new ways usually not accessible to standard category airplanes and can help you apply a wider variety of principles to your day-to-day flying.

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Employer Profile: Priester Aviation

Flying Staff — Wed, 11 Sep 2024 16:50:43 +0000

Founded in 1945, Priester Aviation is among the world’s most experienced aircraft management, global jet charter, and consulting companies. Its global fleet spans light jets to large-cabin Gulfstream G650 aircraft.

Based in Wheeling, Illinois, Priester employs more than 200. George J. Priester Aviation is the larger corporate name for its family of aviation service companies, including Priester Aviation as its Midwest base, Mayo Aviation as its Rocky Mountain West base, and Hill Private Aviation as its Southeast base.

Priester Aviation Mission Statement

“To be the most trusted operating partner for aircraft owners, flight departments, and clients needing management support and/or charter services.”

Priester Aviation in the News

George J. Priester Aviation Unifies Customer-Focused Companies Under Legacy Brand
For nearly 80 years, the Priester family name has meant committed excellence in aviation services and customer-focused relationships.

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Employer Profile: Global Medical Response

Flying Staff — Thu, 05 Sep 2024 15:41:38 +0000

Global Medical Response (GMR) is the leading integrated air and ground mobile patient care and EMS provider in the nation. Coordinating industry leaders in air, ground, managed medical transportation, and wildland fire services, GMR services up to 11 patients annually.

Based in Lewisville, Texas, GMR employs nearly 36,000. Among the companies under the GMR umbrella are American Medical Response, Rural Metro Fire, Air Evac Lifeteam, Reach Air Medical Services, Med-Trans Corporation, AirMed International, and Guardian Flight.

Global Medical Response Mission Statement

“Our mission is providing care to the world at a moment’s notice and is at the heart of everything we do.”

Global Medical Response in the News

GMR Mobilizes First Responders, Ambulances, Air Medical Aircraft and More as Hurricane Debby Makes Landfall
As part of American Medical Response’s FEMA contract, GMR deployed ground, air, and medical transportation assets to help coastal communities in Debby’s path in early August.

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Employer Profile: Boutique Air

Flying Staff — Wed, 21 Aug 2024 15:35:32 +0000

Founded in 2007 and based in San Francisco, Boutique Air is an FAA-certified air carrier providing both scheduled and charter air service. Boutique’s fleet consists of Swiss-made Pilatus PC-12s and Beechcraft King Air 350s.

The airline services routes in Arizona, Colorado, Georgia, Kansas, Maryland, Massachusetts, Nebraska, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, and Texas.

Boutique Air is a codeshare partner with United Airlines and has an interline agreement with American Airlines.

Boutique Air Mission Statement

“…To provide a first-class experience at an economical price, while making passengers feel at home.”

Boutique Air in the News

Trip Report: Music City to the Gulf Coast With Boutique Air
It is once again time for another Essential Air Service (EAS) trip report from AirlineGeeks’ Joe Gerardi. Just like his journey on Air Choice One, this trip is another unique experience that connects two larger cities using a small EAS community.

Boutique Air Adds Three Destinations
Boutique Air announced three new destinations spanning the U.S. as the airline looks to bolster its services in the East, West, and South.

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High-Ranking NetJets Pilots Union Leaders Handed ‘Unprecedented’ Termination

Ryan Ewing — Tue, 20 Aug 2024 20:43:04 +0000

Two high-ranking elected officials within the NetJets Association of Shared Aircraft Pilots (NJASAP)—including the union’s vice president—were recently terminated from the company in what the labor group is calling an “unprecedented” move.

The NJASAP represents NetJets’ 3,430 pilots and recently signed a new contract with the world’s largest private jet operator.

In a news release published on Monday, the NJASAP alleged the two pilots were terminated because of their role in negotiating the five-year agreement, which was overwhelmingly ratified in April. The union also said the termination decision was “unlawful, unjust and in retaliation for the $1.6B in improvements the pilots negotiated during midterm bargaining that concluded earlier this year.”

NetJets said it had no comment on the matter.

The terminated pilots included the NJASAP vice president and strategy group chairman. According to the union, they were both captains with 23 and 18 years at the company, respectively. The two pilots had “unblemished professional records,” NJASAP president Captain Pedro Leroux said in the release.

“Choosing to terminate two high-ranking union leaders is not simply another hurdle to resetting the landscape, but a move reflective of a strategy that is not sustainable in the long term,” Leroux said.

This move is the latest in an ongoing back-and-forth between NetJets and its pilots union. In June, the company sued the NJASAP for defamation over safety and pilot training claims.

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Employer Profile: Castle Aviation

Flying Staff — Thu, 15 Aug 2024 11:49:55 +0000

Castle Aviation is a cargo airline and private passenger airline based at Akron-Canton Airport (KCAK) in North Canton, Ohio. This year marks Castle’s 40th year in business.

Most of Castle’s operations are within a 750-mile radius of Northeast Ohio. But the company also serves Canada, Mexico, and the Caribbean.

Castle Aviation Mission Statement

“At Castle Aviation, the health and well-being of our customers, associates, and communities are our number one priority.”

Castle Aviation in the News

The Emergence of Moving ‘Man’s Best Friend’
When it comes to the transport of animals, cargo airlines have always been more than willing to get animals from their starting point to their final destination.

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Employer Profile: Contour Aviation

Flying Staff — Wed, 07 Aug 2024 16:43:37 +0000

Contour Aviation provides luxury charter service, aircraft acquisitions, and personalized aircraft maintenance among its services.

Contour was founded in 1982 as Corporate Flight Management Inc. and is based in Smyrna, Tennessee. With more than 600 employees, Contour Aviation is among the 10 largest Part 135 charter operators in the U.S.

In 2023, Contour completed more than 24,500 hours of flight operations and carried more than 350,000 passengers with its fleet.

Contour Aviation Mission Statement

“At Contour, our core values are at the heart of everything that we do and every decision we make. Constant throughout all of our lines of business is a commitment to integrity and safety.”

Contour Aviation in the News

SkyWest Acquires Stake in Contour Airlines, Bolsters Charter Presence
The regional operator is continuing its foray into the Part 135 charter market with a recent investment in Contour Airlines.

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Employer Profile: Thrive Aviation

Flying Staff — Wed, 31 Jul 2024 12:44:21 +0000

Thrive Aviation is a globally operated curator of private aviation services. With corporate headquarters in Henderson, Nevada, Thrive serves the North American and global markets from its operational base in Las Vegas. Thrive’s owned/operated fleet includes light, super-mid, large- cabin, and ultra-long-range aircraft.

Thrive Aviation Mission Statement

“Our company works to provide proactive services and personalized sophistication to every moment of our guests’ flight experience. The excellence of our work ensures that each customer receives more of what’s needed before they need it. More accessibility. Less interference. A reduction of risk and expansion of comfort. We ensure all elements of excellence.”

Thrive Aviation in the News

Thrive Aviation Expands Fleet With Munday Aviation’s Factory-Delivered Praetor 500
Thrive Aviation proudly announces the addition of the Praetor 500 to its managed charter fleet under aircraft owner Munday Aviation.

Thrive Aviation Joins Southwest’s Pilot Pathways Program
The private aviation firm will give potential pilots a direct pathway to the right seat at Southwest Airlines.

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Employer Profile: Metro Aviation

Flying Staff — Tue, 23 Jul 2024 15:18:26 +0000

Metro Aviation Inc. began in 1982 as a helicopter charter, flight training, and maintenance operator. Today, the company has two missions: It installing medical, law enforcement, and corporate kits for aircraft and operating aircraft for hospitals nationwide.

In 2024, Metro Aviation added fixed-wing aircraft to its fleet with the creation of Metro Gulf. Metro Aviation operates three MRO facilities in Mount Pleasant, Pennsylvania, Lafayette, Louisiana, and its headquarters in Shreveport, Louisiana.

Metro Aviation Mission Statement

“To provide the safest and highest quality aircraft operations, completions, and maintenance so that our customers can safely and effectively accomplish their mission profile, our employees can exercise their talents and maximize their potential, and the company can ensure its financial stability.”

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Employer Profile: Solairus Aviation

Flying Staff — Wed, 17 Jul 2024 20:16:42 +0000

Solairus Aviation is an aviation services company that helps owners manage and operate their aircraft safely, reliably, and economically. It also offers charter services that use its managed fleet to meet customer needs.

Founded in 2009, Solairus boasts 75-plus base locations, 330-plus private aircraft, and about 2,00 flight crew and support personnel. The company is headquartered in Petaluma, California, in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Solairus Aviation Mission Statement

“We never settle for even very high levels of customer satisfaction and we’re always looking for better ways to do our business.” —Greg Petersen, chief operating officer

Solarius Aviation in the News

Solairus Aviation Announces Updates to Executive Leadership Team
Company appoints Brent Monroe as chief growth officer and promotes Bob Marinace to chief experience officer.

Solairus Aviation Announces Chad Davidson Business Aviation Leadership Scholarship Fund
The fund honors late aviator and Solairus team member Chad Davidson in support of Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University students.

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