Celebrating Women in Aviation: Meet Julaisy Ramos, Manager of Maintenance Administration at Aerostar Training Services

The aviation industry has always been an exciting and challenging field, and it takes a committed and passionate person to truly  to succeed in it.

Julaisy Ramos, Manager of Maintenance Administration at Aerostar Training Services, is one of those people. She has worked her way up from an avionics technician to her current position, and is currently pursuing her private pilot certification. As we celebrate Women in Aviation Week, we take a closer look at Julaisy’s journey and her experiences in the aviation industry.

Julaisy’s love for aviation began early, with a fascination for the sound of turbines and the feeling of taking off. Although no one in her family had any background in aviation, Julaisy knew that it was the field she wanted to pursue. After graduating from high school, she originally wanted to join the Airforce to become a rescuer who jumps out of planes. However, she ultimately decided to study avionics technology, which eventually led her to Aerostar.

Throughout her journey, Julaisy has had the support of mentors and teachers who have helped her grow and succeed in the industry. One of her mentors, David Ramos, motivated her to continue in the industry and introduced her to Aerostar. At Aerostar, she has had many teachers who have helped her understand aviation concepts and she has worked with a great team who has supported her through the challenges.

For Julaisy, the best part of her job is seeing the smiles on the faces of those who come to Aerostar for the first time to use the full-scale simulator, as well as the smiles of pilots when they complete their certifications. She enjoys being a part of an industry that provides an important service and helps people achieve their goals.

Julaisy is also working on obtaining her private pilot certification, and while her initial goal is personal, she has not ruled out the idea of becoming a commercial pilot in the future. For anyone considering a career in aviation, Julaisy advises that it is a beautiful field, but it requires a lot of effort, dedication, and sacrifice. However, she believes that the reward is worth it, and that the feeling of flying is worth any sacrifice.

For those mentoring women in aviation, Julaisy’s advice is to keep going until you surpass society’s perspectives. She encourages aspiring aviators to be willing to learn, and to allow others with more experience to train and guide them. In the end, she believes that with hard work, dedication, and a willingness to learn, anyone can succeed in the aviation industry.

Julaisy’s story is a testament to the power of hard work and perseverance. She has overcome challenges and worked her way up in the aviation industry, and she continues to pursue her passion for flying. Her experiences can inspire others to pursue their own dreams, and her advice can guide others in their own journeys. We are proud to have Julaisy on our team at Aerostar, and we celebrate her and all women in aviation.

What is IACRA?

What is IACRA, and what should I do before I start flight training?

Hello. My name is Richard Greenwood. I serve as the Training Center Manager for the FAR Part 142 Training Center here at Aerostar Training Services.

I’d like to speak to you today just for a few moments about IACRA.

 

IACRA is an electronic system used by the FAA to process airman certifications and ratings. The benefit to using IACRA is it decreases errors and it helps you to get your permanent license a lot faster.

Before coming to train with us, we need you to do one thing for us, and that is make sure that you have an account set up in the IACRA system. The website is IACRA.FAA.gov. Once you set up your account, you will be issued what’s called an FTN number. It begins with a letter and has a series of numbers behind it. Make sure that you write that number down, take a picture of it with your phone, or some other way that you’re going to remember what it was. Also make sure you write down your username and password because you’ll need that to the system. Armed with all those things, we can guide you through the process of doing your application once you arrive here.

The process is not long, but it can be confusing if it’s your first time. Not to worry, we will guide you through it every step of the way. These tips were intended to help make your transition smooth and to help you get the most out of your training. We look forward to having you train with us and we’ll see you soon.

AeroStar Training Services – The Overview

In this short video, Captain David Santo answers questions about AeroStar Training  Services, including

  • How is Aerostar different from other pilot training organizations?
  • What credentials does AeroStar hold?
  • What pilot training programs does it offer?
  • How about beginners with no aviation experience?
  • Who will we be working/studying with?
  • How do we get started?

How is AeroStar different from other pilot training organizations?

Hello, my name is David Santo, and I’m the Chief Training Officer at AeroStar Training Services. I wanted to take this opportunity to let you know a little bit about AeroStar, and what we have to offer you. AeroStar was formed by a group of airline professionals with one goal in mind. We wanted to help aviation career dreams take flight. What that meant to us is we had enjoyed successful careers as airline pilots, and we wanted to be able to provide a pathway to help others to obtain the career goals, and success that we had.

What credentials does AeroStar hold?

AeroStar is an FAR 142 type rate training organization. What that means is, we operate under the FAR that allows a pilot to obtain a aircraft type rating, or add an airline transport pilot certificate by using advanced flight simulation technology.

When we started we dry leased airline simulators, and aircraft manufacturer simulators all over the country. Today we now have in our own facilities two Level D A320, and Boeing 737 full flight simulators. These simulators are state of the art technology. They sit on six axis hydraulic motion basis. We had 220 degree wrap around collimated visual systems that represent exactly the aircraft, and airport environment that you would be able to operate in. A Level D simulator is the highest level of simulator certification. With this simulator, and they’re called full flight sim’s, you can actually complete 100% of a type rating, or an ATP check ride without ever having to go out and fly the aircraft itself.

Tell us about the instructors.

Our staff is comprised of some really fantastic people who have years of airline, and training experience that we bring together for you. This includes CFIs, CFIIs, MEI,  It includes airline transport pilots, current active and retired airline captains, and first officers.

What pilot training programs does AeroStar provide?

Today AeroStar offers a number of different programs. We offer type ratings under two different formats, initial, and what we call the fast track program. We offer an upgrade transition type rating course for those who already have experience time and type. We offer recurrent training for those who are actively flying the aircraft, and need to accomplish a PC check, and we are one of a few schools in the United States that offers the airline transport pilot certification training program, or atp ctp.

How about beginners with no aviation experience?

Under our 141 part 61 certificate we’re able to provide the private instrument commercial multi-engine flight training, so together we can take an applicant from zero flight experience all the way through type rating, airline placement ready all on one location here in Kissimmee, Florida

Who will we be working/studying with?

We have a wonderful staff who are manning our phones, and are able to answer emails. I’m very proud to say that our admissions specialists are all pilots themselves. They’re all eager to help you.

How do we get started?

If we can do anything to give you guidance, answer questions, help you realize your dream of becoming an airline pilot, or a commercial pilot, then please I encourage you to call us at (407) 888-9011. That’s here in the U.S.

You can also reach us at [email protected]. We’d be very pleased to work with you, and help you in any way we can. On behalf of myself, David Santo, and the entire team here at AeroStar, thank you for watching. We look forward to working with you, and seeing you out on the flight line.

 

Will the US Government Shutdown Impact Your Flight Training?

How is the US Government Shutdown Impacting Flight Training?

AeroStar Training Services is open for business during the government shutdown.

Our instructors are holding courses, students are enrolling and graduating, and things are progressing as normal with a few exceptions.

  • Most flight training courses are being held as scheduled!
  • Our instructors are teaching
  • Our Redbird and A320 Sims are available
  • Students are completing lessons and logging time toward their goals!
  • We have an in-house Visa agent that can approve student visas.
  • We can issue FAA temporary licensing on -site so that pilots can start using their new licensing or type ratings right away.

That said, there are a few things that may have temporary delays:

Foreign License Certifications/Conversions – Are currently on hold.

FAA Medical Certificates – for student pilots and others are currently not being issued, although Aviation medical examiners may still issue certificates to qualified pilots at the time of a regular FAA physical exam.

https://aerostartyperatings.com/pilot-training-articles/type-rating/It’s a great time to upgrade your skills, get the credentials you need – everything from initial pilot training, ATP-CTP certification, B737 and A320 type ratings, and advance your career.

Have concerns? Give us a call at 407-888-9011 and let’s get your questions answered!

AeroStar Enjoys WATS Conference

Aerostar booth at the WATS conferenceThe AeroStar Team enjoyed the WATS conference  – we attend each year to keep up to speed with what’s going on in the Aviation Training industry, and to connect with vendors, partners and others.
We enjoyed meeting all kinds of aviation training professionals at our booth, and want to thank everyone who dropped by and/or participated in our drawing.

 

Congratulations to Frank with Sim Industries, who was the winner of our a320 type rating Prize at the WATS Conference! #WATS2018

WATS Conference 2018 - Winner of our Drawing

WATS is the world’s largest gathering of aviation training professionals serving airlines, regulators, training providers and training industry with more than 1,200 expected from 50+ countries expected. WATS offers a relaxed yet professional environment conducive to developing new and building existing business relationships. WATS offers unrivalled opportunities to meet with your peers from the senior echelons of the international airline training community, to discuss the latest training issues and consider and learn how others have addressed and resolved these scenarios.

For those who career takes them across the world to promote training solutions and those for whom sharing training experiences WATS truly provides a huge saving in time and cost by enabling ‘three months worth of meetings in three days’.

WATS 2018 will deliver five independent and impartial conference streams alongside the sector’s biggest tradeshow, with all delegates receiving full access the event.

AeroStar Attends WAI Conference in Reno

AeroStar recently attended the annual Women in Aviation International conference in Reno, Nevada. “We really enjoyed attending the conference and connecting with other female entrepreneurs and aviation professionals in the industry from around the globe. We’re already looking forward to next year!” said Deidra Toye, the owner of AeroStar. WAI featured AeroStar in their daily show newspaper with a write up about the latest endeavors of the company such as our new sim and recent training facility expansion efforts. Pictured below: Devin Messer, Flight Attendant Enrollments & Deidra Toye, President & CEO

Women in Aviation Write Up

Frequently Asked Flight Training Questions

flight training questions

I recently had a chance to sit down with our director of flight training, Rob Becker, and we spoke about some of the most frequently asked questions students have about flight training in general. If you have a question you don’t see answered here, please contact us and we’d be happy to answer it for you!

Robin Frey:  Hi Rob, I have put together some flight training questions that are frequently asked by students. I’m hoping you can help me answer them.
Rob Becker:  Sure, I will try my best!

Robin Frey:  How quickly can a student obtain their private pilot license at AeroStar?
Rob Becker:  
The minimum flight hours by the FAA is 40 hours, but the industry average is between 55 and 60 hours. If you train 2 to 3 times a week you should finish in 3 to 4 months.

Robin Frey:  What usually happens during a typical flight lesson at AeroStar?
Rob Becker:  
You and the flight instructor will meet for about 15-20 minutes and discuss what training you are going to do during the lesson. Next, you will pre-flight the airplane and then fly and do the lesson. Lessons are generally broken up into 3 types of lessons: 1) Practice in the airport traffic pattern doing take offs and landings  2) Go to a designated practice that is close to the airport area where you will do flight maneuvers such as slow flight, stalls, steep turns, and emergency procedures 3) Cross country and night flights.

Robin Frey:  Will a student have just one flight instructor during training or multiple?
Rob Becker:  You will be assigned a primary instructor with who you will do most all your training. Occasionally, you may fly with another instructor because your primary instructor may be unavailable due to vacation or sickness. You also will fly once or twice with the Chief Flight Instructor prior to completing your training.

Robin Frey:  Do students need to complete a medical examination before they start flight training?
Rob Becker:  
You do not need to have a medical prior to starting your training but you must have it prior to your first solo flight.

Robin Frey:  Will the student need to obtain any kind of special insurance prior to their flight training?
Rob Becker:  
You do not need to have special insurance for training flights, but if you are renting the airplane to do time building you will be required to obtain additional insurance that we can assist you with getting.

Robin Frey:  What are the most important skills you need to be a successful pilot?
Rob Becker:  
There are no special skills that are required. Male or female, young or old, they have all learned how to fly. The most successful students are the ones that make training a priority and set aside ample time to study prior to and after any lessons taken.

Robin Frey:  How soon will a student actually fly the plane or solo?
Rob Becker:  
You will be handling the plane on your very first lesson. Your first solo will be when you have completed the first phase of training, which is usually around 20 flight hours of training.

Robin Frey:  Where will students fly on their cross-country flights?
Rob Becker:  
You must fly at least 50 nautical miles from your departure location. Common airports that you will fly to would be Ocala, Brooksville, and Crystal River.

Robin Frey:  Are students required to submit payment up front or is it pay as you go?
Rob Becker:  
We do not require money up front, it is pay as you go. You do need to have a credit card on file so that the flight cost can be charged to the card. If you do not have a credit card on file, you will need to keep a balance of $500 on your account that will allow you to have the funds available for your next couple of lessons.

Robin Frey:  How far in advance does a student need to schedule their flight lessons?
Rob Becker:  
If the airplane and instructor are available, the lesson can be reserved at any time, although this is not recommended because that would mean that you the student probably haven’t prepared probably for the lesson. It can be done occasionally, but it should not be the norm.

Robin Frey:  Okay and one last question, what would you say is the biggest advantage for students to choose to do their initial flight training with AeroStar?
Rob Becker:  When training at the Kissimmee Airport with AeroStar, you can start your practice area maneuvers within just a couple minutes because the practice area is so close. This will save you from having to pay an extra 10-15 minutes of flight time every time you have to go out to the practice area. Training at AeroStar allows you to train with professional instructors who have trained students for many years and have thousands of hours of experience, instead of a school where instructors are brand new to teaching and have zero to very small hour amounts of experience.

Robin Frey:  Great answers. Thank you so much for your time Rob, hopefully this has been very insightful for student pilots who are just starting out or shopping around for a Flight School.
Rob Becker:  My pleasure!

Rob Becker, our Director of Flight Training has been flight instructing full-time since 2009. Rob holds an ATP, MEL, and SEL license. Rob’s instructor ratings include CFI, CFII, and MEI with Gold Seal. He also has his Ground Instructor and Advanced Instrument Ground Instructor Ratings. He has 4,500 total flight hours and has given over 4,000 hours of instruction. He has also given 1,000 hours of multi-engine instruction.

Rob enjoys taking students on Discovery Flights and introducing students to the world of aviation. Rob has been happily married to his wife Lyn for 29 years and together they have two adult children. Prior to working in aviation, Rob owned a construction company for 26 years.

By: Robin Frey, AeroStar Training Director of Marketing

flight training questions

Rob Becker

Stories from Our Students and Graduates – First Officer Kenian Jabbour

Graduate Stories: As the Admissions Director of AeroStar, I learn a lot about our students and their careers.

The career path for pilots has changed in the last few years.  The career path used to be something like this:

  1. Get your multi-engine and commercial license
  2. Become a CFI
  3. Build time as an instructor
  4. Work for a Regional Airline or 121 to build more time
  5. Apply to a major airline or for a corporate flight department

Airlines were also willing to pay for type rating training for new hires.

A more typical (and better!) career path for today’s pilots goes like this:

  1. Get your multi-engine and commercial license
  2. Get your A320 or b737 type rating from AeroStar
  3. Get hired by an overseas airline (many of whom are hiring our graduates!)
  4. Get paid while you build time
  5. Apply for a major U.S. airline (if you like.)

Many of our students do exactly this.

It is good to see people who are so excited about their success.

A few months ago, Kenian Jabbour had had his doubts about our program.  His crew partner was getting his flight training at a competing academy (PanAm) and had been quoted a lower price than AeroStar was offering.  But Keenan toured our facility, compared the quality of the program, and started with us.

Kenian spent 10 days on site with us getting his a320 type rating.  He was hired as a first officer for an airline, and recently stopped by our office while his aircraft was being fueled. They had just returned from France and were planning a trip to Casablanca.

Since then, his crew partner has actually spent MORE money on additional training and was still working on his type rating.

Why do AeroStar students get hired?

  1. Our students stand out from the pack by showing that they’ve made a smart investment in their career.
  2. Our students save time for the airlines because they are already fluent and proficient and no additional training is needed.

A big thank you to Sunrise Aviation for helping students like Kenian get started and referring them to AeroStar for advanced flight training. Together we help aviation career dreams take flight!

Do you have WIA or VA benefits?

VA Benefits, WIA Benefits

 

Did You Know?

AeroStar Training Service is approved for WIA and VA benefits and programs in Kentucky and Central Florida!

Contact us to find out how you could apply those benefits to acquire a type rating, a ATP-CTP certificate, or other advanced training!

RAA Convention Update – Future Pilot Career Outlook

We recently returned from the RAA convention and are very encouraged about the prospects for pilots starting airline careers.

The Regional Airlines (members of the RAA) are an important career step for many of AeroStar’s former students as they graduate to legacy carriers and wide-body pilot positions. Advancing through the ranks at a regional airline can set you apart from other candidates applying for Captain or First Officer positions at larger, more prestigious carriers.

Many regional airlines have realized that they need to provide additional incentives to attract quality candidates. Those incentives may come in the form of sign-on bonuses, training opportunities, and other incentives that make these positions more attractive than they may have been in the past.