Republic Airways LIFT Academy Offers Aviation Degree Option

Leadership in Flight Training (LIFT) Academy and Vincennes University welcomed its first group of students in its professional pilot training partnership program last week. The partnership offers students an opportunity to pursue the VU Aviation Associate Degree Program along with their professional flight training through LIFT Academy.

Republic Airways LIFT Academy launches a partnership with Vincennes University to provide its students another runway to a career in aviation.

“We are excited to now offer a degree path as an option for students pursuing flight training directly from high school,” said Matt Koscal, Senior Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer at Republic Airways. “This partnership was over two years in the making and brings together academics of Vincennes University and commercial leadership of Republic to create a unique training environment that will best prepare young professionals for an exciting career in aviation.”

LIFT Academy, a subsidiary of Republic Airways, opened its doors for flight training in September 2018 at the Indianapolis International Airport (IND). LIFT has 300 students in flight training and recently added an aviation maintenance technician apprenticeship program to its offerings as well. Students train on a new fleet of fuel-efficient Diamond DA40 single-engine aircraft and DA42 twin-engine aircraft equipped with state-of-the-art avionics.

The Vincennes University Aviation Technology Center offers students an associate degree in Aviation Flight Technology and through its “Two-Plus-Two” partnership with Purdue University, students may be eligible to complete a bachelor’s degree in Aviation Technology on the Indianapolis campus and have the option to apply Title IV funding and education benefits for military veterans.

“Indiana has a rich aviation history, and both Vincennes University and Republic have played a key role in contributing to it,” said Chuck Johnson, President of Vincennes University. “This exciting partnership with Republic Airways expands on other industry partnerships Vincennes University has invested in over the years to provide our students with education and skills that meet the needs of employers through hands-on and work-based experiences.”

FMI: www.vinu.edu/web/atc