synchro

Is anyone currently in this program? I'm an outsider looking at them objectively (I know there are plenty of critics here -- admittedly there's some clear negative aspects to locking into a Republic-only training academy with zero established track record located in chilly Indianapolis, but I see some serious pros as well - all-in subsidized pricing/financing/equipment/placement etc).

It looks like the first class kicked off in late 2018, so it's unlikely that anyone starting at zero hours has completed their ratings yet and started instructing, but I'm wondering how this would work. Maybe someone knows...

-- Assuming every student finishes their ratings, gets their CFI, and is under contract to instruct at LIFT, wouldn't that quickly create a very low instructor to student ratio? Basically too many instructors and not enough incoming students to realistically feed them sufficient hours to reach 1500 in a reasonable amount of time? They claim that it would take 12-18 months to build time instructing, but I can't see how that would be possible if everyone teaches there.

-- How does instructor compensation work? What are instructors in the program paid and are they considered employees or contractors?

Does anyone have any insight? Thanks!

JayD

That might become a problem in the future but the reason it’s not now is because everyone moves through the system at their own pace, many start at different places and of course we have those that drop out (or are let go) at various times.

Unlike ATP, for example, you can start at LIFT after already having your PVT, IRA, CAX or even CFI (the CFIs don’t have to sign the contract though). You can also get through the program much faster than 12 months but it’s ok if it does take you 12 months. I started in Feb with PVT and will start CFI ground next week. I took a couple of vacations too so I’ll finish in about seven months (they originally had me scheduled to finish Dec. 31 2019). If you pick up extra flying you can pretty much go from zero to CFI in 6-7 months.

CFIs are paid as employees.

Tato89

Is it possible to have a part time job while in training or performing as an instructor? I read they post the schedules 1 month in advanced is it true?

JayD

Yes it’s possible and I would say most of the students have a part time gig. It seems most are at UPS/FedEx or Uber/Lyft. Doing a part time job will likely extend your training footprint however so if you do have one expect it to take closer to the published times. If you don’t and you focus on flying only then you can get through it much faster than what is published.

I know some instructors that do outside flying/instructing as well so it’s also possible to have one as an instructor. At this point there’s so many students that several are working overtime (six days a week) and getting 85-100ish hrs a month flying at LIFT only.

TakeoffAL

Very good info! Can you tell me how much are the CFI getting paid? and... Would it be possible to have one block of 4 consecutive days a month that I can give my current employer. I'm giving Lift a lot of thought now...

JayD

$30k salary + any overtime and typical benefits. I’m not sure if you could get a four day block or not. From what I know everything is five on and two off so you might get a four day block off during the schedule switch each month, but I don’t see how you could make that a consistent thing.

You know your schedule two weeks before the month and then schedules change the first Monday of the month for the most part.

lightspeed12

So... Do the CFIs get health /dental benefits ?
Also , I heard that students only get 10 working days off each year . Is this something flexible? For example, if my published schedule is Monday-Friday, and I want to be off on a specific Friday, can I find someone to trade that Friday flight for a Thursday one? Or does that count as one of the 10 off days?

BarbaPapa

Have you heard about anybody been able to commute on a weekly or biweekly basis to go back home and spend time with the family? Any travel benefits working as a CFI at Lift?

Primus

I was a student there.

CONS: there is no ground school. It completely online. There is a "meeting" a couple of times a week but this is a weak attempt at a ground school. They are very crowded now and from what I hear as of a few days ago it takes time to get a check ride scheduled internally. The management is lacking as well. You fly immediately without any real training. I mean day #1 (they now might have a sim day but the sim was down when I was there) you fly and it could be at night. My roommate had 0 time and this happened to him. They are working out the bugs there. No help with radio communications. They expect you to know it very quick. Class C. Also have to know the flows very quick from memory too. Many instructors are young and immature but some are little older.

PROS: nice planes and well maintained. The trainers are Diamond DA 40.

I don't recommend this academy but it is cheap at about 55k or so and its a guarantee. They loan you Bose headsets and ipad.

lightspeed12

So do they use jeppesen or Sportys for their online ground school? Is this something that I can buy in advance and start studying or do I have to wait until the class starts at lift...?