LEADERSHIP IN FLIGHT TRAINING LLC

LIFT Academy (Leadership in Flight Training) was founded by Republic Airways Holdings as part of the airline's commitment to developing the next generation of professional pilots. Headquartered at Indianapolis International Airport (KIND), LIFT Academy has grown into one of the largest flight training programs in the United States, with 70 aircraft, 500 enrolled students, and 117 certified flight instructors.

The academy trains exclusively in Diamond aircraft—DA40 singles for primary and instrument training, and DA42 twin-engine aircraft for multi-engine and commercial instruction—supplemented by sophisticated flight simulators. This modern glass-cockpit fleet ensures every LIFT graduate develops proficiency in the advanced avionics found across the regional airline industry. LIFT is the only flight school in Indiana to hold FAA examining authority under Part 141, allowing designated instructors to conduct practical tests in-house and dramatically reducing scheduling delays for checkrides.

LIFT Academy's defining feature is its direct pathway to Republic Airways. Graduates who complete the commercial program and build hours as LIFT flight instructors are eligible for a fast-tracked First Officer position with Republic—one of the nation's largest regional carriers flying CRJ and Embraer regional jets under United, American, and Delta Express brands. This pipeline has established LIFT as a premier destination for career-oriented student pilots seeking a clearly defined route from flight school to airline cockpit.