Partnering With Sporty's For Its Flight Training Program

Skyblazer Academy, an organization dedicated to help young adults in the field of aviation, is up and running. Its mission is to expand access for young adults in the field of aviation as pilots, aviation professionals and future leaders. Traditional obstacles such as time, money and resources currently prevent 80 percent of student pilots from obtaining their private pilot license.  

“By removing the barriers of cost, time and unfocused resources, Skyblazer will help to ensure many more young adults successfully complete private pilot training," says Matt Gerus, president of Skyblazer Academy.

Skyblazer Academy has finalized a partnership with Sporty's to implement a flight training program conducted in a safe, professional manner within a defined training structure. Skyblazer Academy will provide a positive and supportive environment to foster a spirit of excitement and comradery to aspiring pilots.

“Sporty’s is a perfect fit with the Skyblazer vision.” Gerus said. “They are a premier flight academy and offer the comprehensive training solution that is critical to our program.”

Sporty’s will provide private pilot ground and primary flight instruction for all Skyblazer Academy scholarship recipients.  Flight training will be conducted at the Sporty’s campus, based at Clermont County Airport (I69), near Cincinnati, OH.

“In addition to top rated instructors and flight training courses, Sporty’s also offers an impressive array of student pilot resources and training content,” Gerus said.  Resources include Sporty's well-known Learn To Fly Course, the Sporty's Study Buddy aviation app and online Student Pilot News.

“Sporty’s Academy has the experience, capability and scale to support the tempo of operations needed for multiple students flying at an accelerated level,” Gerus added. “With a permanent staff of instructors, a large fleet of training aircraft, and an internal maintenance capability, Sporty’s will be able to fulfill all the anticipated training needs of Skyblazer Academy.”

The full vision for Skyblazer Academy is to:

• Provide scholarships for the full cost of a private pilot license, including all pilot materials and testing.
• Provide full private pilot course instruction through a partnership with a nationally recognized and respected fight school.  
• Target completion of the entire private pilot training program within a 60-day period.
• Supplement flight training with further aviation education, leadership opportunities, and life skills training.

“Our vision is not just to create new pilots," Gerus says. “It's also to inspire and develop future aviation leaders.”

The Skyblazer Academy program will be implemented in multiple phases. This will enable the near-term launch of the flight training program in June while allowing time for development of additional education and personal development programs. Experience and insights from each phase will be incorporated into ongoing operations.

“Our goal is to award four or five scholarships this year, with at least double that number for 2020," Gerus says.

A big part of the Skyblazer Academy vision also includes connecting donors and the larger aviation community to these aspiring young aviators.  “Through social media, we will all be able to follow these student pilots from first flight, to solo and check ride, sharing in their excitement and sense of accomplishment," Gerus says. "By celebrating these new pilots, we will be able to expand awareness and interest in aviation.”

Skyblazer Academy is calling on the generous aviation community network for financial support. Current pilots, aviation professionals and aviation-related businesses can all contribute through crowdfunding, recurring donations and partial or full scholarships. “By investing in these aspiring young aviators and sharing in their stories, we can celebrate their success and welcome them into the aviation community,” Gerus says.

(Image provided with Skyblazer Academy news release)

FMOI: www.skyblazeracademy.org