LIFT Academy, Purdue Global partner to increase education access for next generation of pilots

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – Airline travel might become even more fraught in the coming years if the U.S. can’t find enough pilots to fly. Purdue Global is offering a new path to becoming an aviation professional with its latest partnership.

Indianapolis-based Leadership In Flight Training (LIFT) Academy and Purdue Global, Purdue’s online university for working adults, are coming together to create accessible education opportunities for aviation professionals.

“Our partnership with Purdue Global furthers the LIFT Academy mission to make state-of-the-art flight training accessible and affordable,” said Scott Hornback, LIFT Academy’s chief operating officer. “Students train with cutting-edge technology for an in-demand career as a commercial airline pilot beginning day one. Whether you have a lifelong passion for aviation or are looking for something new and exciting, flight training with LIFT Academy and Purdue Global is a life-changing decision you won’t regret.”

With this agreement, LIFT Academy becomes an authorized flight training partner of Purdue Global. LIFT Academy, a subsidiary of Republic Airways, has locations in Indianapolis; Columbus, Indiana; and Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.

Additional Information

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Students who complete all five flight certifications/ratings – private pilot certification, instrument rating, commercial pilot certification, certified flight instructor and multi-engine flight rating – will receive 45 college credits from Purdue Global toward their bachelor’s degree in professional flight, equivalent to one year of college credits. Students who have previous college credits from other schools may receive additional transfer credits, thereby saving money and allowing them to graduate faster.

“We are excited to partner with LIFT Academy and provide an additional resource and option for our professional flight students and programs,” said Sara Sander, Purdue Global vice president and dean of the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences and interim dean of the School of Aviation. “The need for more commercial and regional pilots is great right now. By working together with LIFT Academy, we hope to address this workforce and economic development issue.” 

LIFT Academy students, employees and immediate family members (spouse, domestic partner, children, siblings and parents) are eligible for a tuition incentive package for undergraduate and graduate degrees and certificates. This opportunity is also available to Republic Airways employees and immediate family members.

Purdue Global’s professional flight degree program is a collaboration between Purdue Global and Purdue University’s School of Aviation and Transportation Technology. The collaboration, which was announced in 2019, combines the quality of Purdue’s legendary aviation program with Purdue Global’s flexibility and affordability.

About Purdue Global

Purdue Global is Purdue’s online university for working adults who have life experience and often some college credits. It offers flexible paths for students to earn an associate, bachelor’s, master’s or doctoral degree, based on their work experience, military service and previous college credits, no matter where they are in their life journey. Purdue Global is a nonprofit, public university accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and backed by Purdue University. For more information, visit https://stories.purdue.edu/purdue-global/.

About LIFT Academy

Leadership In Flight Training (LIFT) Academy is a U.S.-based commercial aviation pilot training school owned by Republic Airways. Headquartered in Indianapolis, LIFT revolutionizes commercial aviation training utilizing state-of-the-art, eco-friendly training technologies and systems to educate future aviators. Students receive instruction from experienced pilots under FAA and industry standards with the most advanced equipment and curriculum that combines flight, flight simulator, online and in-classroom training. LIFT Academy students train on a fleet of advanced new aircraft produced by Diamond Aircraft Industries, including the DA40 single-engine, DA42 twin-engine and DA20 single-engine aircraft. Complementing this, LIFT has deployed leading-edge Aviation Advanced Training Devices (AATDs) from Diamond Simulation and Frasca International. LIFT further enhances its training environment with immersive training devices (ITDs) crafted by Vertex Solutions, integrating the power of virtual reality into its curriculum, underscoring its position as a leader in next-generation pilot training. LIFT offers its graduates a defined pathway to a career as a commercial pilot at Republic Airways. LIFT Academy has locations in Indianapolis; Columbus, Indiana; and Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. To learn more about LIFT Academy powered by Republic Airways, visit www.flywithlift.com.  

Writer/Media contact: Matthew Oates, 765-496-6160, oatesw@purdue.edu; @mo_oates

LIFT Academy media contact: Molly Craft, molly.deuberrycraft@rjet.com  

Sources: Andrew Rachmell, Sara Sander, Scott Hornback