News Coverage

You Might Call Mr. Eddie Ima South Florida's Makeover Man For The Jet Set

View Jet Makeover Story Here

June 6, 2005 - Every year, as many as 12 owners of private jets come to Ima with a problem. They've got a jet with an outdated, worn-out or just plain ugly interior. Ima's clients are different than the needy families featured on ABC's Extreme Makeover: Home Edition, where a dilapidated house is magically reborn at no cost to the family—in a week's time. Money isn't usually a problem for jet owners.

Take the Gulfstream G4 that Ima and his team at the South Florida Jet Center, a subsidiary of Hop-A-Jet Worldwide Jet Charter, have sitting in a hangar at Fort Lauderdale's Executive Airport waiting for pick-up.

When Ima first saw it in the Nevada desert, where it sat unused for two years, the interior was not only dirty but also starting to grow mold. Built in 1987, its owner had plunked down $17 million for a jet with an interior that brought to mind a pool hall.

"Everything was green [felt] in here," says Ima. "I think I have a piece of the old carpet somewhere."

It's surprising what six weeks and $350,000 can do.

That shocking green interior is now a study in subtle shades of beige. The seats have been recovered in "Avion Blonde" leather. Decorative panels have been redone in a fabric called "birds afar snowdrift." Cabin bulkheads are "mirage walnut." The jet's 18 cup holders, six ashtrays, 14 passenger seatbelts and faucets in the two lavatories have been re-plated in 24-karat gold. The interior boasts three 20-inch flat-screen TVs, one Sony PlayStation and six 7½-inch personal monitors.

Jet owners come to Ima for both his skill and his eye for detail. All told, this face-lift has added $1 million to the jet's value.

Ima, 56, has spent his entire working career around jets, starting in his hometown of Dallas almost 30 years ago sweeping out the charter jets that belonged to his then father-in-law. Moving up the ranks of jet refurbishment, he has redone jets for a Saudi king, an Indian princess and an official from Kazakhstan.

But if you think folks who fly on private jets are different than you and I, think again. Ima has found chicken bones under seat cushions, just like in a family minivan. Never mind that Hop-A-Jet's charter rate is about $5,000 an hour.

"They treat these jets like taxis," says Ima. "The richer they are, the harder they are on stuff."

This latest refurbishment began with Ima's team stripping out every interior component from carpeting to sinks. At this point, the multimillion-dollar jet looked more like a cargo plane. It was then flown to Georgia for a mechanical tune-up and then to Texas for an exterior paint job.

Back in Fort Lauderdale, Ima's staff of 12—divided between an interior shop, wood shop and seat shop—got to work reinstalling the components that had since been renovated.

Each of the Gulfstream's six reclining swivel chairs was recovered by Jackie Thornton, who has been doing her custom upholstery work for 20 years. Each seat costs about $10,000 to recover, including new fireproof foam, and takes at least 40 hours of Thornton's time. She also reupholstered two three-person divans that can fold out into queen-sized beds.

"I came here for an office job and my hobby was sewing," says Thornton.

Unfortunately, Ima can't follow his decorating muse to Home Depot or Sears. Everything that goes into a jet has to carry the Federal Aviation Administration's seal of approval. One customer wanted a bronze eagle inside his private jet. Fine by Ima. It wasn't his $18,000 that went into fabricating a special mount that met FAA regulations.

With the Gulfstream's owners set to pick up the renovated jet this week—the reality TV equivalent of a "reveal"—Ima and his team already have several jobs lined up. They're currently working on a Learjet 55. There are two Challengers lined up and, in the fall, one more Gulfstream is due for a face-lift. By the end of the year, each jet will be ready for its close-up.

Press Releases

Hop-A-Jet Worldwide Jet Charter Continues Growth Mode With Acquisition Of Challenger 601-3R

May 23, 2005 - Hop-A-Jet Worldwide Jet Charter, a leader in the luxury air charter service industry, announced today the addition of a Challenger 601-3R to its service fleet. Considered to be the best value in its class, the Challenger 601 has a range of approximately 3,600 nautical miles.

“We have seen a dramatic increase in demand for longer range flights and adding this Challenger 601 to our fleet gives our clients another opportunity to travel long distances in luxury,” said Barry Ellis, CEO and President of Hop-A-Jet Worldwide Jet Charter.

This late-model Challenger 601 accommodates up to 12 passengers and provides such lavish on-board comforts as gourmet dining on fine china, your choice of the perfect vintage wine to compliment your meal, a state-of-the-art entertainment system with two (2) high-resolution flat screen monitors and many other amenities.

“Our recent jet acquisitions have strengthened our position in the industry and allowed us to stay ahead of client demand. By maintaining a younger fleet with fewer hours, Hop-A-Jet is able to give our clients the best in luxury travel, quality service and most importantly, safety,” Ellis concluded.
Hop-A-Jet Worldwide Jet Charter Augments Fleet With Acquisition Of 2004 Learjet 60

May 10, 2005 - Hop-A-Jet Worldwide Jet Charter announced today the addition of a 2004 Learjet 60 to its service fleet. Easily accommodating up to seven passengers, the Learjet 60’s superb combination of range, speed and comfort makes it one of the world’s most popular midsize jets.

“As our reputation grows in the charter jet industry, we will continue to increase our fleet to keep up with the high demand from our increasing client base,” said Barry Ellis, CEO and President of Hop-A-Jet Worldwide Jet Charter.

Hop-A-Jet maintains and operates a fleet of Learjets and long-range Challenger 604 aircraft from their own facility at Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport. “More than ever before, businesses and consumers are turning to Hop-A-Jet to free themselves from the headaches of scheduling restrictions, crowded airline terminals, slow lines, delayed or canceled flights and misplaced luggage. Our clients rely on the impeccable reputation of our highly trained pilots, exceptional hand-picked maintenance personnel and hard working staff,” added Ellis. Hop-A-Jet Worldwide Jet Charter. Occupies New Corporate Headquarters Facility

June 19, 2002 - Fort Lauderdale based Hop-A-Jet Worldwide Jet Charter. is now occupying its new corporate headquarters at Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport (FXE), Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

The Hop-A-Jet corporate offices are located on the ground-floor of the newly constructed office tower building, located directly south of the U.S. Customs facility. There is approximately 30,000 square feet of office space offering panoramic runway views, as well as a 24 hour, state-of-the-art charter dispatch/call center, executive conference room and a passenger lounge with widescreen TV.

Directly adjacent to the corporate offices, are four 20,000 square foot aircraft hangars, housing Hop-A-Jet's on-site Flight Operations, Maintenance and Completion Center.

Hop-A-Jet operates a worldwide jet charter service and was founded by the late Harvey Hop in 1976. It owns and maintains a combined fleet of 14 Learjet and Challenger aircraft. Hop-A-Jet was voted in the Top 10 of "Best Charter Services" by Professional Pilot magazine readership three years in a row.
Hop-A-Jet Worldwide Jet Charter. Receives FAA Part 145 Repair Station Certificate

October 2, 2002 – Fort Lauderdale-based Hop-A-Jet Worldwide Jet Charter. was issued a Federal Aviation Administration Part 145 Repair Station Certificate on September 13, 2002. The certificate was issued primarily for Learjet and Challenger airframe and engine repairs.

Hop-A-Jet Worldwide Jet Charter. operates a worldwide jet charter service and was founded by the late Harvey Hop in 1976. It owns and maintains a combined fleet of 14 Learjet and Challenger aircraft. Hop-A-Jet was voted in the Top 10 of "Best Charter Services" by Professional Pilot magazine readership three years in a row.