Elite Jets and the Warrior Health Foundation are proud to announce the success of its 2025 signature fundraising event
Elite Jets and the Warrior Health Foundation are proud to announce the success of its signature fundraising event, Experiencing the Elite – A Night at the Hangar 2025, held on March 6 at the Elite Jets hangar in Naples, Florida. Thanks to the remarkable generosity of attendees and donors, the Foundation raised over $430,000, a milestone that will directly benefit veterans of the U.S. Special Operations Forces.
These funds will provide comprehensive therapy services to 86 additional veterans affected by Operator Syndrome, a condition resulting from chronic exposure to concussive blast waves during high-intensity military operations. The Warrior Health Foundation remains committed to delivering critical care and support to these heroes as they transition from the battlefield to civilian life.
“Our heartfelt thanks go out to everyone who supported this extraordinary evening,” said Sean Rosario, President of Warrior Health Foundation and a retired Navy SEAL. “Your compassion and commitment are changing lives. Every dollar raised means another veteran receives the specialized care they desperately need-and deeply deserve.”
“At Elite Jets, we are deeply honored to support the Warrior Health Foundation and the brave men and women of our Special Operations Forces. The evening was a powerful reminder of the resilience and sacrifice of our veterans. We are committed to continuing our partnership in helping these heroes reclaim their health and well-being, we also want to recognize this need helps special forces’ veterans living in SW Florida” said Stephen Myers, Executive Vice President, Elite Jets.
The evening was one of elegance and impact, hosted in the stunning setting of the Elite Jets hangar. Attendees enjoyed a unique blend of luxury, camaraderie, and purpose, capped by a shared commitment to improving the lives of our nation’s most elite warriors. Highlights from the video are here: Watch the Video
Original press release: https://www.elitejets.com/experiencing-the-elite-a-night-at-the-hangar-2025-raises-over-430000-to-support-special-operations-veterans/
There’s a buzz in the air — and it’s not just from the roar of private jets overhead.
Elite Jets is thrilled to announce its official partnership with FC Naples, Collier County’s first professional sports team and the breakout stars of the USL League One. With an undefeated 4-0-2 record as of this story, FC Naples is charging into its inaugural season with grit, heart, and a whole lot of local pride. As soccer fever spreads across the country ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Elite Jets is proud to support the home team that’s capturing hearts right here in our own backyard.
From the Paradise Coast Sports Complex to homes and businesses across Southwest Florida, fans are rallying behind this team — and now, so are we. As a company deeply rooted in Naples, Elite Jets shares FC Naples' passion for community, excellence, and creating unforgettable experiences.
“This partnership is incredibly meaningful to us,” said Stephen Myers, Executive Vice President of Elite Jets. “Not sure anybody cares, but I played in a men’s soccer league in Naples starting in sixth grade, then varsity at Naples High School, and later intramurals at the University of Florida. It’s just really meaningful to see professional soccer come to my hometown in which I was born, raised, and worked in for almost 60 years.”
We couldn’t agree more. This isn’t just a team — it’s a movement. And as the skies light up with Elite Jets’ sleek, modern aircraft, we’re just as excited to see FC Naples light up the pitch with passion and performance.
Together, we’re helping fuel a new era for soccer in Naples. Here's to big goals, bold dreams, and flying above the ordinary.
Original press release: https://www.elitejets.com/fc-naples-welcomes-elite-jets-as-an-official-partner-during-inaugural-season/
Elite Jets Charter has once again earned and renewed WYVERN Wingman Certified Operator by maintaining Wingman status through the Flight Leader Program with quarterly coaching by WYVERN. The WYVERN Wingman Standard, the first air charter audit standard in the aviation industry, provides a safety benchmark that allows air charter customers to assess performance expectations against recognized industry best operating practices before purchasing air charter services.
“Our long-standing relationship with WYVERN has been instrumental in helping us uphold rigorous safety protocols and continuously improve our operations,” says Stephen Myers, Executive Vice President, CAM of Elite Jets. “Together, we have forged a partnership based on mutual respect and a shared vision for providing unparalleled service in the aviation industry.”
Wingman Operators are evaluated by the Wingman Standard criteria. The scope of the evaluation includes an assessment of operational activities, a review of the company’s operational history and safety records, a Safety Management System (SMS), an internal evaluation program, administrative compositions, technical documentation, pilot and aircraft records, training requirements, and maintenance operations including technician training and experience.
“We commend Elite Jets Charter for successfully renewing their Wingman certification, which not only validates their safety management system for international compliance but also verifies their conformance to the highest global standards and industry professional codes of practice in operations and aircraft maintenance,” says Andrew Day, WYVERN Senior Vice President, Operations. “As a participant in the Flight Leader Program, Elite Jets Charter not only reinforces its dedication to safety and operational integrity, but also gains access to tailored coaching and best practices that drive continuous improvement and safety innovation.”
About Elite Jets Charter
Elite Jets Charter operates on the principles of excellence that have been ingrained in every facet of its business. From its founding and financing to the management of its dedicated teams, Elite Jets Charter ensures an exceptional experience for each client. These core values continue to guide the company as it strives to exceed expectations and redefine luxury air travel.
The company’s mission is to provide the most modern and spacious private aircraft, equipped with first-class amenities, to offer the best in private air travel. With a focus on convenience and accessibility, Elite Jets proudly serves clients across Florida and beyond. Whether for business or leisure, every flight is designed to offer unmatched comfort and luxury.
When clients choose Elite Jets and Elite Helicopters of Naples, they can expect the highest level of personal service, the commitment of professional teams, and the finest travel experience available in the private jet charter industry. Each client is treated as a VIP, with attention to every detail to ensure their journey is seamless and enjoyable.
Safety is a top priority at Elite Jets Charter. The company strictly adheres to all safety regulations, mandates, and accreditations. Additionally, Elite Jets Charter is dedicated to both superior performance and responsible management of its environmental impact. Their commitment to safety is reflected in the ongoing training and continuous improvement of their operations.
The company’s pilots have accumulated over 80,000 hours of flight experience and are required to complete advanced training annually to ensure the utmost safety for every flight. The team, including ground staff, cabin crews, and maintenance technicians, is available 24/7 to ensure that each journey is smooth, safe, and comfortable. Every employee is meticulously trained to provide comprehensive support, guaranteeing a seamless and stress-free travel experience. Elite Jets Charter takes pride in its team’s unwavering dedication to client satisfaction and operational excellence.
Original press release: https://www.wyvernltd.com/wyvern-press-room/elite-jets-charter-solidifies-safety-standards-with-wyvern-wingman-certification-renewal/
University of Florida’s Gator 100 taps Naples company led by Class of 1987 alum Stephen Myers, a neurobiology graduate turned pilot, tech entrepreneur
The University of Florida and its Alumni Association are honoring Elite Jets of Naples and alumnus Stephen Myers, Class of 1987, as one of the state’s fastest-growing, Gator-led businesses.
Now in its 10th year, the Gator 100 annually recognizes business owners, leaders and entrepreneurs who are also University of Florida graduates. Elite Jets, a charter aircraft service based at Naples Airport, is one of just three Southwest Florida honorees and the only Collier County business on the newly released 2024 list.
“As a lifelong Floridian and proud Gator, this recognition is deeply personal,” said Myers, CAM, executive vice president at Elite Jets. “More importantly, it’s a testament to the dedicated colleagues with whom I serve each day and whose efforts are critical to our team’s continued success and growth.”
At Elite Jets, Myers oversees day-to-day operations such as flight scheduling, aircraft maintenance, customer service, information technology, sales, marketing and community relations. He also ensures compliance with FAA regulations, manages training and safety initiatives, and pilots Embraer Phenom 300 and Legacy 500 jets.
Launching his career as an entrepreneur in the tech industry, Myers founded companies that provided IT services, commercial-use drone products and services, custom software development, drone pilot training and instruction, computer forensics, e-commerce solutions, intelligent building automation and more.
A graduate of Naples High School, Myers earned a Bachelor of Science degree in neurobiology while in Gainesville. More recently, he is a Leadership Florida graduate, Class of 2023.
Myers is certified as a Computer Forensics Examiner through Kennesaw State University, with a specialty in data encryption and security. He completed the Certified Aviation Manager (CAM) program through the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA).
Home to Florida’s deepest natural pass, Boca Grande draws silver king enthusiasts from far and wide to the ‘Tarpon Fishing Capital of the World’
Saltwater fishing enthusiasts have long known that Gasparilla Island on Florida’s Gulf Coast is home to the state’s deepest natural pass – and with it some of the finest tarpon, grouper, kingfish, snapper, snook and redfish angling around.
Whether by land or sea, reaching the narrow spit of sand is no small feat – and in the case of the 100-acre, private Useppa Island, a bridge-free haven void of vehicle traffic that has essentially been inaccessible to the public – until now.
More than a century after hosting such boldface names as the Vanderbilts, Rockefellers and Rothschilds, Useppa Island and its private club can now be enjoyed by non-members through a chartered helicopter tour from Elite Jets of Naples.
Elite Jets is a member of Useppa Island Club, a unique partnership that extends membership privileges to passengers. The club recently reopened following an extended closure due to damage from Hurricane Ian.
Forget about throwing a cooler and your fishing rods in the back of a pickup truck. Passengers headed to Useppa Island will take off from Elite Jets’ private terminal at Naples Airport aboard a luxury Bell 407 helicopter equipped with leather seats, air condition, snacks, drinks and other creature comforts.
The excursion cruises past multi-million-dollar beachfront mansions on the Naples and north Collier County coastline on its way to Estero Bay. There, the chopper maneuvers just 300 feet above the water, low enough to spot dolphins, manatees, exotic birds, coastal marshes and other environmental wonders.
The eco-flight then passes Fort Myers Beach, the Sanibel Causeway and Pine Island before crossing Pine Island Sound Aquatic Preserve, home to multiple species of wading and diving birds.
Once on the island, numerous options await anglers, from sight casting to fly-fishing. Fishing kayaks are available for rent at Joseffa’s store, while those who prefer to go offshore into the Gulf of Mexico can schedule a fishing charter with a local licensed captain by calling the Useppa Club Harbormaster at 239-283-1061 for referrals, or Elite Jets concierge service can make the reservation for you.
Among the most alluring spots to fish:
Peak tarpon season begins in March or April, with a migration that extends into the summer and lasts into early fall. Several tarpon fishing tournaments are scheduled for 2024, including a Ladies Day Tarpon Tournament and the World’s Richest Tarpon Fishing Tournament (with a $100,000 first-place prize) scheduled on May 23-24. Visit the Boca Grande Chamber of Commerce online for more details, including registration.
The Useppa Island Club also rents out several guest rooms for overnight stays, offering unmatched access to a unique slice of Florida history: Before the club’s current owners acquired the property in the mid-1970s, it endured a World War II closure and multiple property-damaging hurricanes, even serving a stint as a CIA training base for Cuban exiles preparing for the Bay of Pigs invasion.
Florida boasts some breathtaking winter golf getaways that draw tourists or retirees alike.
Who could blame them? The Sunshine State’s mild winters and vast expanses make it an ideal locale for winter golf getaways. A steady influx of retirees, many with ample free time and disposable income, fill tee times throughout the winter.
Florida has among the highest household participation rates for golf in the country and is near the top in the total number of courses, both public and private. Plenty of PGA Tour professionals call the state home. In fact, PGA of America is based in Palm Beach Gardens, while the PGA Tour is headquartered in Ponte Vedra Beach, adjacent to the famed TPC Sawgrass course.
Diehard duffers have long used their love of golf as an excuse to travel. This winter, why not explore some of the country’s top courses beyond the confines of Florida? You can travel to your winter golf getaways in convenience, style, comfort, luxury and safety on an Elite Jets charter aircraft.
READ MORE: Private travel: Getting there is half the fun | Elite Jets
Our aircraft
At Elite Jets, we offer several options for winter golf getaways:
Both luxury jets feature high-speed Wi-Fi, personalized temperature controls, reclining leather seats with massage functions and a first-class digital entertainment system. Elite Jets passengers can also pre-select snacks and drinks, enjoy a fully stocked bar and best of all, leave the flying to us.
READ MORE: Elite Jets leader shares aviation safety expertise at national industry event
Winter Golf Destination No. 1: Pinehurst Resort, North Carolina
Located about one hour south of the state capital of Raleigh, the village of Pinehurst (population 17,500) is among the country’s most well-known golf getaways. Dubbed the “Home of American Golf” by the U.S. Golf Association, Pinehurst and the surrounding area are home to more than 40 courses, both public and private.
The centerpiece is Pinehurst Resort, a late 19th century development best known for its No. 2 course (out of nine), which has previously hosted the men’s U.S. Open, PGA Championship and multiple Ryder Cups.
Pinehurst No. 2 will call the marquee event home five more times in the coming decades, including 2024 and 2029. The World Golf Hall of Fame, currently located in St. Augustine, will also relocate to Pinehurst later this year.
Location: Pinehurst, North Carolina
Nearest airports: Moore County Airport (KSOP), Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU)
Winter Golf Destination No. 2: Beth Page State Park, Long Island, New York
Located in suburban Long Island outside New York City, this state park features five 18-hole courses, including the famed Black Course, host of the U.S. Open in 2002 and 2009, PGA Tour events in 2012 and 2016, and the PGA Championship in 2019. The Ryder Cup international competition will take place here in 2024.
With three courses designed by golf architect A.W. Tillinghast, the state park links are open to the public, though reservations can be challenging to obtain. A word to the wise: winter weather can vary widely here, so check the forecast closely before booking your trip.
Location: Farmingdale, New York
Nearest airports: New York John F. Kennedy (JFK), Republic Airport (FRG)
Winter Golf Destination No. 3: Pebble Beach Golf Links, northern California
Ranked America's top public course by Golf Digest, Pebble Beach sits on the scenic Monterrey Peninsula, about two hours south of San Francisco. Here’s how the magazine describes Pebble Beach:
“Not just the greatest meeting of land and sea in American golf, but the most extensive one, too, with nine holes perched immediately above the crashing Pacific surf — the fourth through 10th plus the 17th and 18th. Pebble’s sixth through eighth are golf’s real Amen Corner, with a few Hail Mary’s thrown in over an ocean cove on the eighth from atop a 75-foot-high bluff.”
Like both Pinehurst and Beth Page, Pebble Beach has hosted numerous pro championships, providing scratch golfers and weekend warriors alike an opportunity to compare their swings, ball strikes and other techniques with the game’s best.
Beyond the links await the region’s world-famous wineries, Silicon Valley, the Golden Gate Bridge, Pacific Coast Highway and other attractions.
Location: Pebble Beach, California
Nearest airport: Monterrey Regional Airport (MRY)
READ MORE: Private jets a growing alternative to commercial air travel in the not so friendly skies
Winter Golf Destination No. 4: Kiawah Island Golf Resort, South Carolina
This coastal resort is about 30 miles southwest of Charleston along a 10-mile strip of sand and seashore.
Its five golf courses include The Ocean Course, designed for the 1991 Ryder Cup and a top public course in Golf Digest’s estimation – though not one for beginners:
“Every hole is edged by sawgrass, every green has tricky slopes, every bunker merges into bordering sand dunes. Strung along nearly three miles of ocean coast, (the architect) took his wife’s advice and perched fairways and greens so golfers can actually view the Atlantic surf. That also exposes shots and putts to ever-present and sometimes fierce coastal winds.”
Beyond golf, the five-star resort includes a hotel, hundreds of private villas and homes, more than a dozen restaurants and nearly two dozen tennis courts.
Location: Kiawah Island, South Carolina
Nearest airport: Charleston International Airport
Winter Golf Destination No. 5: The Masters, Augusta, Georgia
As a private club, Augusta National limits golf on its hallowed courses to members and their guests. That changes each April, when the public can stroll (if not drive or putt) the greens and fairways while watching the world’s best pursue a shot at the famed green jacket reserved for winners.
Tickets are available by lottery, or on the secondary market. Augusta is also the site of President Woodrow Wilson’s boyhood home and the birthplace of soul singer James Brown (the Godfather of Soul) who is honored with a statue in downtown Augusta. The city is perched along the Savannah River, with several boat tours offering scenic views.
Location: Augusta, Georgia
Nearest airport: Augusta Regional Airport (AGS)
Need assistance planning your upcoming winter golf destinations ? Please give our team a call at 239-900-9000 or email us at Charter@EliteJets.com.
Southwest Florida’s premier luxury charter service for affluent business and leisure travelers has added a quartet of pilots to its growing aviation team.
Elite Jets owns four Embraer Phenom 300 jets and one Embraer Legacy 500 jet that transport passengers to destinations across North, Central and South America, as well as the Caribbean. The company, which operates from a private terminal at Naples Airport, additionally has a Bell 407 helicopter that provides sightseeing and travel services across southern Florida.
“Whether business or leisure travel, strong passenger demand for an alternative to commercial air travel continues to drive our expansion,” said Stephen Myers, CAM, senior vice president at Elite Jets. “And the prospect of working in one of the most desirable communities around ensures no shortage of top-notch candidates.”
Andrew McLean is one of Elite Jets’ new Phenom 300 captains. He joins the company from Kuwait Airways, where McLean was an Airbus A320 captain. A former Royal Air Force Air Cadet in Great Britain, McLean has also flown as a captain of Challenger, Gulfstream and Hawker jets, serving high-profile passengers such as Hollywood celebrities and members of the British royal family.
Jose Abelardo Calmet is the second new Phenom 300 captain. A native of Peru, he previously was captain for a Boeing 767 and is also certified to pilot other types of jets. Calmet credits his father, also a pilot, as his inspiration for a career in the cockpit.
Phenom 300 First Officer Lindon Baldwin comes to Elite Jets from the nearby Naples Air Center, where he worked as assistant chief flight instructor at the Naples Airport-based flight school. As a first officer, he assists the Phenom 300 captain in ensuring every flight is conducted in a safe and efficient manner.
The most recent new hire, First Officer Oscar Jimenez, joined Elite Jets in October. He brings nearly four decades of flight experience in the continental U.S. and Puerto Rico, including the past 25 years transporting both passengers and cargo for Atlas Air.
For more information about job opportunities at Elite Jets, please visit EliteJets.com/careers or call 239-900-9000.
National Business Aviation Association taps EVP Stephen Myers for case study of fatal 2021 crash
A Southwest Florida business leader’s expertise in air safety recently landed him a spot on the dais at the National Business Aviation Association’s annual meeting in Las Vegas.
Stephen Myers, CAM, executive vice president at Elite Jets in Naples, spoke at an NBAA panel examining the fatal crash of a Bombardier Challenger business jet in July 2021 in northern California. The accident near Truckee-Tahoe Airport killed both pilots and all four passengers after the jet crashed while in a circling landing approach.
Joined by panelists representing flight safety schools, private air charter operators and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), Myers shared his insights into an accident that the NTSB said was caused by an unstabilized approach, along with contributing factors that included “self-induced pressure, poor crew resource management and a lack of leadership.”
“Post-accident safety assessments are a critical tool in an industry where even the smallest of mistakes can have dire consequences,” Myers said. “At Elite Jets, where our commitment to safety is unwavering, it’s an honor and privilege to participate in such robust conversations with some of the industry’s top authorities.”
As a charter aircraft service, Elite Jets must adhere to more stringent Federal Aviation Administration oversight (via a Part 135 certificate of operations) than privately-owned, non-commercial aircraft that are regulated under FAA’s Part 91 regulations, including the business jet that crashed in northern California and which used a contract pilot – a practice not allowed by Elite Jets.
Elite Jets recently achieved “Wingman” status from the global air safety auditor WYVERN for air charter operators. To earn the Wingman designation, charter companies must undergo comprehensive onsite, multi-day audits that include a full review of the company’s operational history, safety records, Safety Management System (SMS), internal evaluation program, administrative compositions, technical documentation, pilot and aircraft records, training requirements and maintenance operations, including the training and experience of technicians.
In addition, Elite Jets also is a platinum-rated charter through ARGUS and maintains a Stage 2 Seal through International Standard for Business Aircraft Operations (ISBAO).
“These external seals of approval recognize Elite Jets’ commitment to safety as a core company value,” Myers said. “It is a commitment shared by our entire team, from captains and first officers to mechanics, cleaning crews and our office and administrative team members.”
Thanksgiving weekend 2023 marked the busiest air travel day in U.S. history. As Christmas and the winter holiday season approach, plenty more travelers are expected to fly the not-so-friendly skies — even as more and more passengers search for less stressful alternatives to commercial air travel.
What’s driving the shift? Flight delays, shrinking leg room, luggage limits, bad behavior by fellow passengers... the list goes on and on.
The federal Department of Transportation recently reported that consumer complaints nearly doubled during the first three months of 2023 after setting a record high in 2022. And who can forget the Christmas air-travel debacle in 2022, when a service meltdown caused Southwest Airlines to cancel nearly 17,000 flights, stranding passengers for days across the country?
A new book by a Vanderbilt University law professor asks Why Flying is Miserable: And How to Fix It. One increasingly popular alternative to commercial air travel: private air charters.
READ MORE: Private air travel: Getting there is half the fun
Private charter air service: an alternative to commercial air travel
At Elite Jets of Naples, we’ve seen a surge of interest in private charter air service as an alternative to commercial to air travel since the pandemic started in 2020. Business executives and leisure travelers alike quickly realized the convenience, privacy and passenger-first approach of private jet charters supersedes the increasingly unpleasant commercial air travel experience.
Rather than rely on regional hubs and connecting flights, private jets can fly into nearly every airport in America, including regional airports with shorter runways. Instead of building travel schedules around the whims of the commercial airliner, passengers instead determine when they depart. And with concierge-level service, private travelers avoid lengthy lines at the check-in counter, security checkpoint and boarding gates.
At Elite Jets, every traveler is a VIP. A door-to-door chauffer service transports passengers in style with a Tesla Model X. At Naples Airport, Elite Jets’ private terminal provides direct access to our fleet of luxury Phenom 300 and Legacy 500 Embraer jets.
Once onboard, passengers enjoy personalized temperature controls, recliner-like leather massaging seats, high-speed Wi-Fi, a fully stocked bar and a digital entertainment system to watch movies, TV shows and news.
As for the quirks of other passengers? On a private jet, there’s just the captain, first officer and your traveling party – up to nine people on the Phenom 300 and 10 on the Legacy 500.
As for the price? Elite Jets charges a flat rate, no matter how many seats are taken. Forget about the variable ticket pricing of commercial air travel or saving a seat for your traveling companion.
READ MORE: First time flying on a private jet? Here’s what to expect
Safety first
By definition, charter/on-demand aircraft are subject to more stringent Federal Aviation Administration oversight than privately-owned, non-commercial aircraft that are regulated under FAA’s Part 91 regulations.
Across the board, that means more hours of flight training for pilots and an overall more rigorous set of safety standards. Elite Jets does not allow the use of contract pilots. However, contract pilots can and are used regularly in Part 91 operations. Since they do not work for a single employer, they instead can hang a shingle for their services from the highest (or cheapest) bidder, with far less employer oversight.
Elite Jets requires all newly hired pilots to spend their first two months on the job as trainees. This allows them to acquire (or hone) the necessary skills while learning about our corporate culture, values and operational procedures.
That includes a minimum of 90 hours of online education of processes, systems, safety indoctrination, ground school and flight training, supervised by our in-house training director and assistant director.
Of our 20 pilots on the team, fully 100% have earned their Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) certificate, the industry’s highest such rank. Think of it as a “Ph.D. for pilots” – and rest assured that Elite Jets adheres to the highest available safety standards.
In April 2023, Elite Jets earned the coveted “Wingman status” from global air safety auditor WYVERN. The Wingman standard is the first air charter audit standard in the aviation industry. To earn the designation, charter companies must undergo a comprehensive audit that includes a full review of the company’s operational history, safety records and more.
In addition, Elite Jets also is a platinum-rated charter through ARGUS and maintains a Stage 2 Seal through International Standard for Business Aircraft Operations (ISBAO). Both designations rank Elite Jets among the top 5% of charter services in the country
READ MORE: Rigorous pilot safety training: the Elite Jets difference
Book your next Elite Jets getaway
Elite Jets transports passengers to destinations across North, Central and South America, as well as the Caribbean, on its Embraer Legacy 500 and Phenom 300 jets. The company also has a Bell 407 helicopter that provides sightseeing and travel services across southern Florida.
Looking for an alternative to commercial air travel? Ready to book your next business or leisure trip on a private charter? There are three ways to get in touch with Elite Jets:
Flight simulators, ground school and ‘Ph.D. for pilots’ elevate charter aircraft company
Given the stakes, pilot safety training is of the utmost importance for aviators, and even more so for professional pilots. A single aircraft accident with injuries, or a near-miss safety incident with no physical harm, is one too many.
Fortunately, nearly all air passengers will fly the azure skies throughout their lifetimes without a single disruption to safety. That holds true whether they are on board private jets, commercial flights or chartered aircraft. According to the National Transportation Safety Board ,on-demand aircraft (the category Elite Jets falls into) had an accident rate of just 1.3 incidents per 100,000 flight hours.
Elite Jets pilots, though, are routinely challenged by electrical system failures, severe weather, excessive wind shear and other hazards that, in the wrong hands, could lead to tragedy. Not while transporting passengers, fortunately, but instead via company-mandated, annual flight simulator training at one of the country’s top, FAA-approved flight schools.
READ MORE: Safety always a priority at Elite Jets
Such extensive pilot safety training is at the heart of everything Elite Jets does. Day in and day out, our commitment to safety informs every decision at Elite Jets. This commitment has garnered favorable attention across our industry.
Training, training and more training
By definition, charter/on-demand aircraft are subject to more stringent Federal Aviation Administration oversight (via a Part 135 certificate of operations) than privately-owned, non-commercial aircraft that are regulated under FAA’s Part 91 regulations.
Across the board, that means more hours of flight training for pilots, and an overall more rigorous set of safety standards. Elite Jets does not allow the use of contract pilots. However, contract pilots can and are used regularly in Part 91 operations: since they do not work for a single employer, they instead can hang a shingle for their services from the highest (or cheapest) bidder, with far less employer oversight.
Elite Jets requires all newly hired pilots to spend their first two months on the job as trainees. This allows them to acquire (or hone) the necessary skills while learning about our corporate culture, values and operational procedures. That includes a minimum of 90 hours of online education of processes, systems, safety indoctrination, ground school, and flight training, supervised by our in-house training director and assistant director.
READ MORE: A safe investment amid clouds of uncertainty
Of our 20 pilots on the team, fully 100 percent have earned their Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) certificate, the industry’s highest such rank. Think of it as a “Ph.D. for pilots” – and rest assured that Elite Jets adheres to the highest available safety standards.
Once they demonstrate the required knowledge and proficiency of our organization, safety culture, processes, critical thinking skills and customer service skills they are upgraded to Elite Jets’ captains, which is approximately 80% of our pilot corps.
Commitment to safety is in our organizational DNA.
Flight safety training: Texas bound
In September 2023, Elite Jets Executive Vice President Stephen Myers, CAM, traveled to Dallas for his annual flight simulator training at Flight Safety International. The company is an industry leader with some of the most advanced (and realistic) simulations around.
The high-stakes challenges come fast and furious in the flight simulator: engine fires, faulty landing gear, icing conditions, high-altitude depressurizations and more. Beyond the technical challenges, these controlled scenarios also enable us to gauge our pilots’ leadership and critical thinking skills, reactions to stress and emotional intelligence.
The extensive simulations cover the gamut of in-air operations, from preflight inspections, takeoffs and landings to instrument procedures and a host of in-flight maneuvers: steep turns, high-altitude emergency descents, aerodynamic stalls, electrical and engine failures and other unanticipated mechanical and avionics failures.
Industry oversight
In April 2023, Elite Jets earned the coveted “Wingman status” from global air safety auditor WYVERN. The Wingman standard is the first air charter audit standard in the aviation industry. To earn the designation, charter companies must undergo a comprehensive audit that includes a full review of the company’s operational history, safety records and more.
In addition, Elite Jets also is a platinum-rated charter through ARGUS and maintains a Stage 2 Seal through International Standard for Business Aircraft Operations (ISBAO). Both designations rank Elite Jets among the top 5% of charter services in the country.
READ MORE: Elite Jets earns Wingman status from safety auditor
These external seals of approval recognize Elite Jets’ commitment to safety as a core company value, not just a training and testing requirement. It is a commitment shared by our entire team, from captains and first officers to mechanics, cleaning crews, and our office and administrative team members.
Book your next Elite Jets getaway
Elite Jets transports passengers to destinations across North, Central and South America, as well as the Caribbean, on its Embraer Legacy 500 and Phenom 300 jets. The company also has a Bell 407 helicopter that provides sightseeing and travel services across southern Florida.
Ready to book your next business or leisure trip? There are three ways to get in touch with Elite Jets:
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