Elite Jets has added four new pilots and three other staff members to meet growing demand, says the Florida-based operator.

“Elite Jets experienced a surge in demand during the pandemic and that trend shows no sign of slowing down as we head into 2022,” said Stephen Myers, the firm’s executive vice president. “Affluent business and leisure travellers are opting to travel privately for convenience and safety and we are adding staff to ensure our clients continue enjoying an exceptional travel experience.”

The first of four pilots is Legacy 500 captain, Ralf Herrmann. Herrmann has served as a business jet pilot as well as roles as a captain and first officer for several international airlines. He completed education and training programmes at Alabama Aviation and Technical College, FlightSafety International and DFV Hamburg & Professional School for Aviation.

The second, Phenom 300 captain, Pascal Collafarina previously flew regional commercial jets as a first officer and captain. He also has experience as a flight instructor for multiple academies, including a position in which he worked under a government contract to standardise FAA examiners.

Fellow Phenom 300 captain, Matt Simpson has been a private pilot with experience as an aviation safety officer for a Fortune 500 company and lead representative to the FAA’s safety team. Simpson also is a former International Standard for Business Aircraft Operations (ISBAO)-accredited auditor.

Last is Ken Urtz, another Phenom 300 captain. He was a flight instructor and pilot who flew 40 missions in the Persian Gulf for the US Air Force. After his military service, Urtz captained commercial, cargo and freight carriers in North, Central and South America, as well as Asia and has flown military charter and VIP flights.

Elsewhere, Elite Jets has hired Sean Nash as an executive charter consultant; Nick Farese as flight operations specialist; and Brian Adams as an airframe and power plant mechanic.