From Student to Instructor
One of the most important factors in determining which flight training program to choose is the opportunities, or lack thereof, available after graduation. While many programs may have a single time-building pathway, they’re often competitive among applicants, meaning spots are limited. Whereas at LIFT Academy®, graduates have four guaranteed time-building pathways to choose from. To talk about which pathway he chose, and the difference it’s making in his aviation career, we talked with Benjamin Kaiser, Certificated Flight Instructor (CFI) at LIFT.
Getting His Start
Benjamin’s passion for aviation traces back to his grandfather, who flew in the Second World War. That passion led him to Purdue University, where he obtained a degree in Aviation Management. While earning his degree, he was also working on earning his Private Pilot License during school breaks.
Eventually, that led Benjamin to a tour of the Republic Airways Training Center, where he recalled a strong feeling that this was where he belonged.
“Seeing everything in person put everything into perspective for me,” said Benjamin. “It just clicked.”
While on that same tour, he learned about the flight training program that would one day help him get there: LIFT Academy.
What Made LIFT a Good Fit
LIFT Academy was the right fit for Benjamin for several reasons, the most apparent being our defined career pathway to Republic Airways. Your time at LIFT actually serves as your interview at Republic Airways, meaning you won’t need to interview after applying. To help students build the necessary 1,500 flight hours to become a First Officer at Republic, they can choose one of four pathways:
- Working as a CFI at LIFT
- Flying with Bridge Air
- Flying with Cape Air
- Flying with Brickyard Connection
Benjamin appreciated the structured, accelerated nature of the LIFT training program because it allowed him to earn his ratings efficiently. He also got a lot of value from having CFIs and Advisors on hand, something he didn’t have when getting his Private Pilot License.
“Having that structure and support made a huge difference for me,” said Benjamin. “It made for a smooth transition.”
The large fleet of Diamond aircraft at LIFT was another draw. It includes more than 75 Diamond DA40s and Diamond DA42s, ensuring students have reliable access to aircraft for proper training.
“When I was getting my Private Pilot License, we didn’t always have access to planes,” said Benjamin. “With LIFT, I knew I could focus on my studies without having to worry about whether or not I could get in the air.”
The CFI Pathway
After graduation, Benjamin decided to pursue the CFI pathway at LIFT. He credits the CFIs who helped him when he first came to LIFT for influencing that decision.
“I felt so supported by my CFIs during my time at LIFT. They were amazing,” said Benjamin. “Now, I get to provide that same support to the next generation of pilots.”
Working as a CFI is a fantastic opportunity, because you never leave the learning environment. It further hones your skills while instilling knowledge in students — all while earning flight hours and an income.
“As much as I’m supporting students, the CFI pathway is supporting my career,” Benjamin explained. “My goal is to fly with Republic Airways, and this is one huge step towards making that happen.”
When asked what advice he had for LIFT students, Benjamin had this to say:
“Treat your time at LIFT like a full-time job. If you fully invest yourself, you’ll learn how to become a safe, confident pilot while building friendships and creating meaningful memories.”
Are you ready to invest in yourself? Learn more or apply today at flywithlift.com.
