Aviation firm still flying high after 25 years in Lakewood
By cindy tieTjen
Staff Writer

JERRY WOLKOWITZ Ever wonder where those banner-towing planes you see over beaches and stadiums come from? They come from places like O’Brien Aviation, based at Lakewood Airport, Ocean County. The firm has been in business for 25 years, and owner David O’Brien notes that among the more popular messages being towed into the wild blue yonder are proposals of marriage.

LAKEWOOD — For anyone who has ever wondered what it would be like to be a pilot, it may be easier than you than you think.

Since 1976, O’Brien Aviation has helped civilians learn to fly and companies get their message across by flying banners from the back of their planes.

According to David O’Brien, the company’s banners have also helped a nervous groom or two pop the question.

"Marriage proposals are very common," he said. "We have had quite a few of those."

David and his wife, Renee, are the brains behind the operation of O’Brien Aviation Inc. at Lakewood Airport, and both are avid pilots.

O’Brien said his love of flying influenced Renee to become a pilot.

"She was tired of being left on the ground," he joked, "so she learned to fly too."

Being a pilot was always a dream for O’Brien.

"A trip I took to Alaska in the early 1960s strengthened my desire," he said. "After I returned home, I decided to train as a commercial pilot."

According to O’Brien, when the Arab oil embargo of 1972 left many commercial pilots without jobs, he decided to go into business for himself.

"It was the best decision I could have ever made," he said. "Flying smaller planes is so much more exciting than the large jets. You actually get to fly the smaller jets as opposed to just checking the monitors on a commercial plane."

The O’Briens have a total of 32 planes, eight of which are used specifically for flying banners.

According to O’Brien, the eight pilots the firm has on staff are extremely skilled.

"These are not pilots who just received their licenses," said O’Brien. "These are guys who have logged thousands of hours."

The price for flying lessons starts at $87 per hour. For that rate, the student rides with an instructor. Once a student has logged the necessary hours, he may choose to do a solo flight for $65.

"We get every type of person who comes in and wants to learn to fly," said O’Brien. "We get kids as young as 14, and men and women of all ages."

Although there is no specific age restriction, O’Brien said anyone who is interested in becoming a pilot must pass a physical exam. A total of 50 hours must be logged for a person to receive a private license, which allows the student to fly solo. In order to have passengers on the plane, the student can obtain a commercial license by logging 200 hours.

With a test center located right on the premises, O’Brien Aviation is licensed to award both certifications. Additionally, the company is equipped to make a banner to fit just about anyone’s needs.

Anyone interested in obtaining more information about O’Brien Aviation may contact the business at (732) 364-0800.