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:
Innovative effort by Naples-based charter air service broadens access to private jets, cuts ownership costs in half
Business jet users and high-end leisure travelers flying into and out of Southwest Florida now have an affordable alternative to sole private ownership or costly fractional programs.
Elite Jets, a luxury charter air service that operates from its private terminal at Naples Airport, now offers a shared ownership program that allows private jet users to experience the freedom, flexibility and convenience of whole ownership, without the sole responsibility for expenses.
Unlike the fractional ownership model relied upon by most “jet card” companies, the Elite Jets program does not use customer revenue to support future flights. That fundamentally risky business model has led some high-profile jet card operators to recently shut down, with others facing mounting debt and fraud allegations.
“Shared ownership keeps control of decisions on aircraft management, operations, maintenance, flight scheduling and more where it belongs – in its owners’ hands,” said Peter Boyd, Elite Jets’ director of aircraft management. “At the same time, the costs of hiring a crew, hangar rentals, insurance, maintenance and more are dispersed, making private jet ownership far more attainable for both business and leisure travelers.”
Elite Jets owns four Embraer Phenom 300 jets, an Embraer Legacy 500 jet and a Bell 407 helicopter, transporting business and leisure travelers to destinations across North, Central, and South America. The shared ownership opportunity is available both for the Elite fleet as well as private jets whose current owners are looking for partners. The in-air commitment begins at 50 hours a month.
Private jet owners who participate in the program will have access to the Elite Jets fleet should their own aircraft require maintenance. At the same time, shared aircraft will also be made available to Elite Jets’ charter passengers, providing a steady revenue stream and generating a return on investment when not directly using the aircraft.
The new program builds upon Elite Jets’ recent addition of aircraft management services, also overseen by Boyd.
“Elite Jets delivers the highest level of safety and personal service for our clients, along with the best travel experience of any private jet charter in the United States and beyond,” said Stephen Myers, CAM, executive vice president of Elite Jets. “Our specialized operations, sterling reputation with the Federal Aviation Administration and exceptional safety ratings place the business within the top 5% in the nation for private aviation companies.”
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 a comprehensive audit that includes 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).
“The airline industry is a trust business,” Myers added. “As we transition from a single-entity, company-owned charter service to a hybrid business model, we are redoubling our commitment to efficiency, excellence, transparency, and most important of all, safety.”
Barrier island bounces back after Hurricane Ian
BY ALSTON CHARLES
From plundering pirates to America’s wealthiest families, Useppa Island has long lured sun-drenched visitors to its postcard-perfect perch nestled between Cayo Costa, Cabbage Key and Pine Island off the Southwest Florida coast.
The 100-acre, private barrier island and members-only Useppa Island Club — the former winter home of businessman Barron Collier — can only be reached by air or sea, with no cars to be found on the bridge-free haven that is also home to several dozen private residences.
Guests who have graced Useppa include such boldface names as the Vanderbilts, Rockefellers and Rothschilds, as well as celebrities such as actress Shirley Temple and President Herbert Hoover.
More than a century later, the wonders of Useppa Island and its private club can now be enjoyed by non-members through a chartered helicopter tour from Elite Jets of Naples. The charter aircraft company is a member of Useppa Island Club, a unique partnership that extends privileges to passengers.
Taking off from Elite Jets’ private terminal at Naples Airport, passengers board the luxury Bell 407 helicopter, which is equipped with leather seats, high-speed Wi-Fi, snacks, drinks and other creature comforts.
The excursion, led by pilot Joe Fragione (better known as Chopper Joe), 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.
“In a region already widely known for its natural beauty, a coastline-hugging flight to a car-free private island is guaranteed to delight and inspire,” said Stephen Myers, CAM, executive vice president of Elite Jets. “A little more than one year after Hurricane Ian, we are delighted to again offer our customers a slice of this only-in-Southwest-Florida experience.”
Once on the island, guests can dine at the club’s Collier Inn or the dockside Tarpon Bar Restaurant. An abundance of outer recreation awaits, including paddleboard and kayak rentals, deep-sea charter fishing or even rides on a cat boat, a type of sailboat with a single sail on a single mast in the bow.
Guests can also opt for more leisurely pursuits, whether lounging by the club’s pool and jacuzzi or a visit to the Barbara L. Sumwalt Museum, which chronicles the island’s colorful history, from its discovery by Calusa Indians to its late 19th century purchase by Chicago streetcar company owner John Roach, who later sold the island to Collier.
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 and even served a stint as a CIA training base for Cuban exiles preparing for the Bay of Pigs invasion.
These days, the Elite Jets’ charter flights are particularly popular as a romantic getaway for couples, Myers said, including a recent excursion in which a prominent Naples restaurateur proposed to his girlfriend (she said yes!).
The Useppa Island Club also rents out several guest rooms for overnight stays. So start making those Valentine’s Day plans now – your beloved deserves only the best.
To book the Useppa Island tour, please visit EliteJets.com or call 239-900-9000.
Alston Charles is a veteran Southwest Florida journalist and former snowbird who now calls Collier County home year-round.
When it comes to college football, pigskin loyalties usually mean cheering for the alma mater or rooting for the home team.
Southwest Florida is home to plenty of Midwest transplants – fans and alumni who spent their formative years in Ann Arbor, Bloomington, Columbus, Madison, State College and other college football hot spots and still pull for the squad “back home.”
The Big Ten Conference is the heart and soul of college football in the Midwest – at least for one more year, when the 14-member league will broaden its geographic footprint and add two California schools and one each in Oregon and Washington. And don’t forget the Fighting Irish of Notre Dame, a proud football independent.
The days of piling into the car for a 12-hour (or more) weekend road trip with your college buddies are long over. Looking for a Midwest college football weekend getaway to catch the big game this fall? Travel 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 your next college football Midwest weekend getaway:
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.
Below are five highly anticipated college football weekend getaways in the Midwest this fall: four on Big Ten campuses and a fifth at the home of the Fighting Irish.
Rutgers at Wisconsin, Oct. 7
We start our fall campus tour in Madison, a place that lays claim to the best college football town in America. The first weekend of October finds the Badgers hosting the Scarlet Knights of Rutgers, a New Jersey university that joined the Big Ten a decade ago.
Beyond Camp Randall Stadium, or along Regent Street after the game, a trip to “Mad-town” also offers a great opportunity to tour Wisconsin’s flagship public university, sample the city’s thriving craft beer scene, visit the state Capitol and of course, dine on cheese curds smothered in gravy.
Location: Madison, Wisconsin
Nearest airport: Dane County Regional Airport (MSN)
USC at Notre Dame, Oct. 14
With a national fanbase, devoted alumni and a strong brand identity, the University of Notre Dame is college football royalty. So, too, is the University of Southern California, another private school with a broad national profile – and starting in 2024, a new member of the bursting-at-the-seams Big Ten.
A trip to South Bend, Indiana, which is 95 miles east of Chicago, can be a pilgrimage both athletic and religious. On campus, be sure to check out Touchdown Jesus, as well as the Basilica of the Sacred Heart.
Stroll the St. Joseph Riverwalk in neighboring Mishawaka, jog along St. Joseph’s and St. Mary’s lakes, or return to campus for Sunday Mass at Sacred Heart Parish.
Location: South Bend, Indiana
Nearest airport: South Bend International Airport (SBN)
Penn State at Ohio State, Oct. 21
The home team Buckeyes know a thing or two about national titles, having earned six total from 1942 through 2014. The visiting Nittany Lions from State College, Pennsylvania, are no slouches of their own, winning two national championships in the ‘80s.
Another Midwest college town that also doubles as state capital, Columbus takes its college sports seriously. With a seating capacity of nearly 103,000, Ohio Stadium is the fourth largest on-campus facility in the country.
Beyond the stadium known affectionately as “The Shoe,” soak in the game day experience in Columbus with a visit to the Short North, a retail and dining district near campus. Golfers can visit the Jack Nicklaus Museum, home to more than 2,000 items of memorabilia, including the legendary pro’s first tournament paycheck (a grand total of $33.33 won in 1962).
Location: Columbus, Ohio
Nearest airport: John Glenn International Airport (CMH)
Home for the Holidays, Michigan style
Headed back home to Michigan for Thanksgiving? Like stuffing and gravy, Turkey Day and football go hand-in-hand. This year, in-state rivals Michigan and Michigan State both host opponents during the long holiday weekend – and on different days to boot.
With the two campuses just a tad over 60 miles apart, make it a long weekend and hit both games – and still be back in South Florida before the weekend ends.
Penn State at Michigan State, Nov. 24
A day after Thanksgiving, the Nittany Lions hit the road for East Lansing, home of the Michigan State Spartans.
Lansing also is home to its state Capitol, offering visitors the opportunity for an up-close civics lesson. Check out the Potter Park Zoo, Impression 5 Science Center and other Lansing attractions, or stick close to campus with a visit to the Eli and Edythe Broad Art Museum, which specializes in contemporary works.
Before the game, fans line the tunnel outside Spartan Stadium to welcome their team, a common college tradition in the Big Ten and beyond, joined by the Spartan Marching Band and team cheerleaders.
Location: East Lansing, Michigan
Nearest airport: Capital Region International Airport (LAN)
Ohio State at Michigan, Nov. 25
It’s a college football rivalry so fierce that its annual match is known simply as “The Game.”
When Ohio State visits Ann Arbor on Thanksgiving weekend, count on a grudge match rooted in politics, geography and culture as well as sports.
In this case, it’s a nearly 200-year-old dispute fueled by both states’ claim of the Toledo strip on their shared border. When Michigan tried to join the Union in 1835, and include the strip in its borders, Ohio blocked its admittance. Two centuries later, the grudge persists.
Outside Michigan Stadium (aka the Big House, official capacity 107,601), Ann Arbor offers the best of big-city amenities with a decidedly small-town flavor. While late November temperatures could be on the nippy side, pack your sweater, hoodie and long pants for hiking, golf, mountain biking and other outdoor adventures.
Location: Ann Arbor, Michigan
Nearest airport: Ann Arbor Municipal Airport (ARB); Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW), 40 miles away.
READ MORE: College football: Five Southern weekend getaways
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