The financial investment required to become a professional\npilot is a hurdle for many aspiring pilots. Additionally, the U.S. is facing a\nnational pilot shortage caused by a training and hiring slowdown from the\npandemic and a wave of early retirements. To support the long-term career\nsuccess of pilot candidates and to help address the shortage, Leading Edge\nFlight Academy (LEFA) in Bend, Oregon, and Ravn Alaska, based in Anchorage,\nannounce a strategic partnership.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Through the partnership, LEFA pilots become eligible for\nRavn\u2019s Flow Program at the conclusion of their commercial flight training. Upon\nselection, candidates receive a Ravn Connect seniority number. After 6-18\nmonths as a LEFA flight instructor, they are immediately qualified to begin\nflying for Ravn\u2019s Part 135 operations, with guaranteed flow-through to Part 121\nairlines. To further reduce the financial burden and ensure the success of\ncandidates, Ravn agrees to assume monthly payments of any student debt accrued\nduring flight training at LEFA for the entirety of their employment with the\ncompany.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI am pleased to announce this partnership between Ravn\nAlaska and Leading Edge Flight Academy and what it can mean for students at any\nlevel. Employment with Ravn Alaska, Ravn Connect, and Northern Pacific can\noffer not only a career path but relief from mounting student debt.\u201d \u2013 Rob\nMcKinney CEO.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cLEFA\u2019s Part 141 program and multiple financing options \u2013\nfrom Sallie Mae to Meritize \u2013 provide the most direct and cost-efficient path\nto a career as a professional pilot. At Ravn, a new pilot could work their\nentire career, first flying turboprops in Alaska and ultimately flying\nlong-haul international flights. And if remaining in good employment standing\nwith Ravn, that pilot could have their entire student debt from flight training\npaid off. That\u2019s a huge opportunity when opportunities are needed for aspiring\npilots, especially those hesitant to accrue student debt.\u201d \u2013 Jack Walker,\nLeading Edge Flight Academy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n