Calling All Private Pilots
If you have your Private Pilot License (PPL), you have an interest in and aptitude for aviation. What you may not realize, however, is that you also have a prime opportunity to turn that license into a successful aviation career through LIFT Academy. To talk about the transition from Private Pilot to Commercial Pilot, we sat down with someone who’s gone through it himself — Harrison Meyers, Certificated Flight Instructor (CFI) at LIFT.
The Start
For years, Harrison worked as an Occupational Therapist; however, he was burned out. He always had an interest in aviation, but it wasn’t until after his wife gifted him a discovery flight that Harrison decided to pursue his PPL.
“I took classes at a Part 61 school in the evenings after work,” said Harrison. “It was tough, but it was right for me at the time. It’s where I fell in love with flying.”
That’s when he started to seriously consider pursuing a career in aviation.
“I knew I wanted something that had good earning potential, but most importantly, a healthy work-life balance,” said Harrison. “Working as a commercial pilot would check both of those boxes.”
Once he had his wife’s blessing, the only thing left to do was to decide which flight training school to go to.
Why LIFT?
“The first thing I looked at was efficiency,” said Harrison. “I wanted a program that could give me a quick pathway to the airlines.”
LIFT Academy’s accelerated pathway takes students who have a PPL, on average, 8-14 months to complete. We also have a defined pathway to Republic Airways, giving graduates the opportunity to land at one of the largest regional airlines in the country. It was a big selling point for Harrison, but it wasn’t the only one.
“The program itself is incredibly well thought out,” said Harrison. “There’s always planes available, and we even prearrange times for check rides to minimize delays.”
Thanks to the help of our dedicated maintenance team, our fleet of Diamond aircraft stays in great shape. This lets our students fly on a regular basis, helping them acquire and retain skills.
Our CFIs also do an incredible job helping students acclimate to LIFT’s procedures, technology and aircraft, as they may differ from where you got your PPL.
“Like with anything new, there was a bit of a learning curve at first,” said Harrison. “But my instructors were a huge help. I always knew I could turn to them with any questions.”
There’s also a financial incentive to choose LIFT Academy. Students who enter LIFT with their Private Pilot License save about $30,000 in tuition, as they don’t have to pay for that rating or those hours. The remaining tuition covers a wide range of tools, trainings, gear and even exam fees — many of which aren’t included in other flight schools’ costs.
Life After Graduation
Some of the most significant benefits of LIFT Academy actually come after graduation. Here, you have the opportunity to work as a CFI, meaning you can get paid to build flight hours.
“Training is a full-time job in itself,” said Harrison. “Getting paid while building the hours I need to become a pilot could not be a more perfect setup.”
Graduates also have the opportunity to fly as First Officers with Cape Air, a commuter airline with operations in New England, the Caribbean, and out West. There, you’ll earn money and build invaluable flight experience while working toward Captain status.
“These are fantastic opportunities,” said Harrison. “Beyond financial considerations, they provide a consistent way to build flight hours. That goes a long way.”
Building flight hours on your own can be difficult, as finding a way to log time consistently can be tricky. Beyond that, you may be responsible for the cost of using someone else’s equipment and aircraft, which can add up quickly.
Closing Thoughts
“If your goal is to get to the airlines, I would recommend LIFT all the way,” said Harrison. “Just be prepared to lock in and focus on what you are doing.”
If you’re considering a career in aviation, you’ve already taken a significant first step by getting your PPL. We can help you knock out the rest.
“I can’t believe I actually get to fly for a living,” said Harrison. “I’m so glad that I decided to come to LIFT.”
Are you ready to turn your Private Pilot License into a commercial pilot career?
