Patriots Jet Team
Patriots Jet Team operates the largest civilian-owned aerobatic jet team in the Western Hemisphere, providing six-jet precision air shows, corporate and sports flyovers, FAA-approved UPRT pilot training, and individual celebration services from Byron, California.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2002
- HeadquartersByron, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingServices
What Patriots Jet Team does
Patriots Jet Team is a privately-held civilian aerobatic jet demonstration company headquartered in a 35,000-square-foot facility (Hangar of Dreams) in Byron, California, founded in 2002 by Randy Howell, a former United Airlines 747-400 captain with 28,000+ flight hours. The company operates a fleet of eight L-39 Albatros jets (six used in demonstrations), a North American Sabreliner used for upset prevention and recovery training, and two static-display MiG-17 aircraft. Its pilot roster is drawn from USAF Thunderbirds, US Navy Blue Angels, and Royal Canadian Air Force Snowbirds alumni, with over 105,000 combined flight hours across the team and 1,500+ air shows performed since inception. Patriots bills itself as the largest civilian-owned aerobatic jet team in the Western Hemisphere and the only civilian-owned six-aircraft precision aerobatic team in the United States.
The business generates revenue from five primary service streams: (1) air show performances across North America, (2) paid corporate and sporting event flyovers using 1-6 jets with optional red/white/blue smoke and team narrators, (3) direct-to-consumer celebration services including wedding heart formations, gender reveals, and Missing Man memorial flyovers, (4) FAA-approved Upset Prevention and Recovery Training (UPRT) for corporate and airline pilots delivered at the Byron facility, and (5) CineJet high-speed aerial cinematography developed in partnership with Helinet Aviation using a gyro-stabilized SHOTOVER F1 8K camera system. Sponsorship revenue from Goodyear, Intel RAID, Frys Electronics, Hotline Construction, and others supplements performance income, and merchandise is distributed through a partnership with Vinehill Craftworks. Pricing is quote-based and not publicly disclosed, with multi-year contracts on the enterprise side.
Go-to-market is multi-channel: direct enterprise sales for corporate and sporting engagements, event-driven acquisition through the air show circuit (including NAS Lemoore, Holloman AFB, Fairchild AFB, NASCAR Sonoma Raceway, and Fleet Week San Francisco), direct-to-consumer sales for personal celebrations, and a dedicated two-day UPRT course offered at Byron. Customer logos span professional sports teams (San Francisco 49ers, Oakland Athletics, San Francisco Giants), a major video game publisher (Electronic Arts, Battlefield 4 launch), and corporate flight departments seeking upset recovery training. The company operates the Patriots Jet Team Foundation, a separate non-profit founded in 2011 focused on STEM aviation education for youth.
Patriots Jet Team firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Patriots Jet Team
- Legal name
- Patriots Jet Team
- Website
- https://patriotsjetteam.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2002
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Patriots Jet Team operates the largest civilian-owned aerobatic jet team in the Western Hemisphere, providing six-jet precision air shows, corporate and sports flyovers, FAA-approved UPRT pilot training, and individual celebration services from Byron, California.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Patriots Jet Team industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Aerobatic Aviation Services
- NAICS
- Flight Training (611512)
- SIC
- Aircraft (3721)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Training & Light Sport Fixed-Wing Aircraft Manufacturing (IMABAAAE)
Keywords
Where Patriots Jet Team is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Byron
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Patriots Jet Team business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Operations, Personnel, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain
Revenue model
- Air Show and Corporate Event Performances: Revenue from aerobatic demonstrations and flyovers at corporate events, sporting venues, air shows, and private functions. Services include options for 1-6 jet formations with smoke trails and narrator commentary for brand marketing and entertainment.
- UPRT Training Services: Two-day Upset Prevention and Recovery Training program for corporate and airline pilots using Sabreliner and L-39 aircraft in the full aerobatic envelope. Includes ground instruction, flight briefings, and practical training.
- Sponsorship and Brand Partnerships: Sponsorship revenue from corporate partners seeking brand visibility through air show performances, flyovers, and event branding opportunities. Partners include Goodyear, Intel RAID, Frys, Hotline Construction, and others.
- Consumer Celebration Services: Individual event services including wedding flyovers with heart formations, gender reveals using blue or pink smoke, birthday and graduation celebrations with non-aerobatic demonstrations.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Multi-year contract | 1-6 Jet Flyover Options |
| Subscription | Multi-year contract | Two-Day UPRT Training Program |
Go-to-market motion4 records
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels8 records
Patriots Jet Team product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Patriots Jet Team is the largest civilian-owned aerobatic jet team in the western hemisphere, providing precision six-jet aerobatic air show demonstrations across North America using a fleet of L-39 Albatros jets. The team also offers custom event flyovers for corporate, sporting, wedding, gender reveal, and memorial occasions, FAA-approved Upset Prevention and Recovery Training (UPRT) using L-39 and Sabreliner aircraft, the CineJet high-speed aerial cinematography platform developed with Helinet Aviation, and corporate event hosting at the 35,000 sq ft Hangar of Dreams facility in Byron, CA.
Product overview
Patriots Jet Team is the largest civilian-owned aerobatic jet team in the western hemisphere, offering a portfolio of aviation services centered on six-jet precision aerobatic demonstrations, event flyovers, and pilot training. The core offering consists of L-39 Albatros jet performances at air shows, complemented by event flyover services (corporate, sporting, weddings, memorials), Upset Prevention & Recovery Training using L-39 and Sabreliner aircraft, and the CineJet high-speed aerial cinematography platform developed with Helinet Aviation. The company also operates the Patriots Jet Team Foundation (STEM youth education non-profit) and the 35,000 sq ft Hangar of Dreams event center in Byron, California.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- CineJet: High-speed L-39 Albatros cinematography platform with gyro-stabilized SHOTOVER F1 camera system, developed in partnership with Helinet Aviation for motion picture, television, and OEM aircraft promotion
- UPRT
Products and services
- Air Show Performances Six-jet precision aerobatic demonstration performances at air shows across North America featuring L-39 Albatros jets flown by former USAF Thunderbirds and US Navy Blue Angels pilots with 105,000+ hours of combined flight experience.
- Event Flyovers
Quantifiable outcome
- 10+ million North American air show fans reached annually
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Patriots Jet Team
Customer profileNamed customers6 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles5 records
Patriots Jet Team technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature4 records
Patriots Jet Team partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
14 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Helinet AviationcorePartnership to develop CineJet, the industry's first Aero L-39 Albatros jet featuring a customized gyro-stabilized SHOTOVER F1 camera system for high-speed aerial cinematography. Developed to address growing demand for shooting high-speed objects for television, feature films, and commercial OEM aircraft marketing.
- SHOTOVERcoreSHOTOVER provides the F1 gyro-stabilized camera platform customized for the CineJet L-39 platform, offering incredible dynamic range and 8K image quality at speeds exceeding 350 knots during maneuvers approaching 3G.
- Exact MarketcoreExact Market serves as marketing agent for the Patriots Jet Team, providing innovative marketing campaigns and services for corporate clients. The company is a Silicon Valley-based marketing provider offering emMPaaS Cloud Events services.
- Intel RAID Powered by LSIminorSponsorship for NASCAR Sonoma Raceway performances. Intel RAID provides storage solutions and partnered with the Patriots Jet Team for brand visibility at racing events.
- Frys ElectronicsminorFrys Electronics sponsored Patriots Jet Team performances at NASCAR Sonoma Raceway events for brand marketing and customer engagement.
- Hotline ConstructionminorHotline Construction sponsored Patriots Jet Team performances at NASCAR Sonoma Raceway events.
- National Association of Broadcasters (NAB Show)minorPartnership to display a grounded Russian MiG Fighter Jet at NAB Show in Las Vegas, offering attendees cockpit photo opportunities and meeting featured team pilots. First time bringing airshow entertainment to tradeshow participants.
- GoodyearminorGoodyear provides all the Patriots Jets landing gear tires. They are a leading manufacturer of aviation tires for commercial, military and general aviation aircraft.
- Concorde BatteriesminorConcorde Batteries provides the batteries for the Patriots show jets and support aircraft. Concorde Battery Corporation manufactures quality lead-acid batteries for aircraft, marine, medical, emergency backup, and photovoltaic applications.
- United Color ManufacturingminorUnited Color Manufacturing provides the red and blue smoke oil mix that gives the Patriots Jet Team their spectacular patriotic smoke trails in the sky. The company is a global leader in the design and production of dyes for specialty applications.
- Copper State PetroleumminorCopper State Petroleum provides the Patriots Jet Team with its smoke oil. Aviation smoke oil serves as a visible marker for aviation teams to see where each plane is during aerobatic routines, crucial for performer safety.
- All About Challenge CoinsminorAll About Challenge Coins is the exclusive provider of the Patriots Jet Team Challenge Coin. With 20+ years of experience providing high quality coins, they are the leader in providing custom challenge coins.
- Hangar 24 BreweryminorHangar 24 Brewery supports Patriots Jet Team appearances at Hangar 24 Airfest events. Proceeds benefit Hangar 24 Charities supporting local children's and national veteran's organizations.
- Vinehill CraftworksminorVinehill Craftworks is the partner for Patriots Jet Team merchandise including attire and gifts, providing branded merchandise through their e-commerce platform.
Scale indicators7 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Patriots Jet Team competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- CAE: Global aviation training leader operating pilot training centers and simulator-based UPRT programs. Competes with Patriots in the broader pilot-training value chain, particularly where regulator-mandated training is concerned.
- USAF Thunderbirds: US Air Force jet demonstration team performing at air shows and sporting events. Directly competes for the same stadium flyover contracts, sponsor visibility, and fan mindshare that Patriots monetizes commercially.
- FlightSafety International: Large commercial flight training organization offering pilot training programs including UPRT components. Comparable as a broader incumbent in the pilot-training market where Patriots competes on premium, real-aircraft (non-simulator) UPRT.
- US Navy Blue Angels: The premier US military jet demonstration team performing at air shows across the country. Competes with Patriots for stadium flyovers, sponsorship dollars, and audience attention — but as a free, government-funded military team.
Direct peers
- Aeroshell Aerobatic Team: Civilian aerobatic demonstration team operating vintage military aircraft at North American air shows. Comparable as a peer civilian aerobatic team competing for the same air show slots, sponsors, and corporate flyover contracts.
- Aviation Performance Solutions (APS): Specialized Upset Prevention and Recovery Training provider serving airline and corporate pilots. Directly comparable in the UPRT market that Patriots serves with its Sabreliner/L-39 program.
- Helinet Aviation: Aerial cinematography and helicopter services provider partnered with Patriots on the CineJet platform. Directly comparable in the high-end aerial cinematography market that CineJet addresses for film, TV, and OEM marketing.
- simUPRT: Upset Prevention and Recovery Training specialist delivering both simulator-based and in-aircraft training. Closely comparable peer in the UPRT market Patriots serves with full-aerobatic-envelope real-aircraft training.
Regional players
- Red Arrows (RAF): Royal Air Force aerobatic team performing at UK and international air shows. Comparable as a regional aerobatic demonstration brand in a different geography, useful for understanding cross-market air-show economics and sponsorship dynamics.
- Patrouille de France: French Air Force aerobatic demonstration team. Regional peer offering similar aerobatic display services in Europe, indicating the broader global aerobatic market landscape and potential benchmark for sponsorship/air-show economics.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks7 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Patriots Jet Team social profiles
Digital presencePatriots Jet Team financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Patriots Jet Team leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles4 records
Patriots Jet Team subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries1 record
Patriots Jet Team funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Patriots Jet Team M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Patriots Jet Team
What does Patriots Jet Team do?
Patriots Jet Team is the largest civilian-owned aerobatic jet team in the western hemisphere, providing precision six-jet aerobatic air show demonstrations across North America using a fleet of L-39 Albatros jets. The team also offers custom event flyovers for corporate, sporting, wedding, gender reveal, and memorial occasions, FAA-approved Upset Prevention and Recovery Training (UPRT) using L-39 and Sabreliner aircraft, the CineJet high-speed aerial cinematography platform developed with Helinet Aviation, and corporate event hosting at the 35,000 sq ft Hangar of Dreams facility in Byron, CA.
Is Patriots Jet Team a public or private company?
Patriots Jet Team is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Patriots Jet Team founded?
Patriots Jet Team was founded in 2002. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Patriots Jet Team based?
Patriots Jet Team is headquartered in Byron, United States, in the North America region.
How does Patriots Jet Team make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Air Show and Corporate Event Performances are the primary driver. The others are UPRT Training Services, sponsorship and Brand Partnerships and consumer Celebration Services.
Who are Patriots Jet Team's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are CAE, USAF Thunderbirds, FlightSafety International and US Navy Blue Angels. Direct peers are Aeroshell Aerobatic Team, Aviation Performance Solutions (APS), Helinet Aviation and simUPRT. Regional players are Red Arrows (RAF) and Patrouille de France.
Does Patriots Jet Team have an API?
No public API is recorded for Patriots Jet Team.
What industry is Patriots Jet Team in?
Patriots Jet Team's product category is Aerobatic Aviation Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMABAAAE, Training & Light Sport Fixed-Wing Aircraft Manufacturing. Its NAICS code is 611512 and its SIC code is 3721.