A while ago I wrote a blog about the career opportunities for fighter pilots and I have come across another interesting job that some former pilots have found to keep themselves in the skies!

In the Bay Area of California there is an elite crew of private fighter pilots known as the Patriots Jet Team and are the only civilian-owned fighter pilot jet team in the United States. They perform shows that demonstrate the amazing acrobatic abilities of fighter jets across America at numerous events from aviation shows to sports games and county festivals.

You’ll definitely want to check these guys out if you ever get the opportunity!

The Patriots Jet Team is owned by former commercial pilot Randy Howell who worked for United Airlines for 26 years and had always wanted to be a fighter pilot.

He started the team over a decade ago but it has really grown a lot over the last few years, with more jets and pilots joining the team. The pilots include both former commercial and fighter pilots and the Patriots also rely on a great team of experts and volunteers that make the operation possible.

In addition to performing aerial shows, the team is also committed to restoring jets and providing educational and motivational opportunities for kids. Most of the planes the team currently uses are decommissioned jets purchased from the Czech Republic, including a MiG-17 and several L-39 jets.

They have a dedicated team of employees and volunteers that restore and maintain the jets, and the effort alone it took to get these planes over to the States to be restored was itself a labor of love!

Howell hopes that seeing these impressive planes, and the skill and technology that goes into them will get kids interested in aviation and motivate them to work hard to accomplish their goals- much like the Afterburner Club!

The Patriots Jet Team will be performing at a number of events across the country this summer, so definitely check them out if they are at an event near you!

You can find their schedules at patriotsjetteam.com.