SOCIETY OF AVIATION AND FLIGHT EDUCATORS

What SOCIETY OF AVIATION AND FLIGHT EDUCATORS does

The Society of Aviation and Flight Educators (SAFE) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit professional membership organization founded in 2009 and headquartered in Ventura, California, representing approximately 700 of the U.S. aviation education community's top instructors, including the majority of Master Instructors and numerous General Aviation Awards winners. SAFE is governed by a board elected entirely by its members, and operates as a member-centric community spanning flight, ground, K-12, college, and maintenance instructors. Its core programs include the Pilot Proficiency Project™ (simulator-based safety training co-developed with Redbird Flight Simulations and delivered at major U.S. air shows), the SAFE CFI-PRO™ workshop curriculum for newly certified flight instructors, an Aviation Educator Mentoring Program, a CFI Liability Insurance Program offered in partnership with Aviation Insurance Resources and Starrlink, the SAFE Toolkit mobile reference application, and a Members-Only Resource Center of vetted training materials. SAFE reported a 60% reduction in flight-training accidents over two years at the Orlando FSDO following CFI-PRO bootcamp implementation, and its corporate partnership network spans 25+ aviation brands including ForeFlight, Lightspeed, Bose, King Schools, and Jeppesen.

SAFE's business model is a hybrid nonprofit membership subscription: revenue derives from annual and lifetime membership dues, tax-deductible donations and $15-per-entry sweepstakes, an insurance referral commission on CFI liability policies placed through partner carriers, merchandise sales through a branded Inksoft store, and grants (notably an undisclosed Wolf Aviation Fund grant in 2011). The organization distributes services through its safepilots.org website (membership enrollment, member portal, resource library), physical booths at Sun-n-Fun, EAA AirVenture/Oshkosh, and AOPA Fly-Ins, Redbird's 300+ simulator network, and the cross-promotional reach of 25+ corporate partners. Member-acquired benefits are delivered via online platforms, in-person workshops, and event-based programming, with the SAFE YouTube channel, monthly SAFE Strategies newsletter, and safeblog.org providing ongoing content engagement. SAFE holds no patents, has no subsidiaries, operates only in the United States, and discloses no revenue, headcount, or institutional financial information.

Strategically, SAFE is a mission-driven professional association rather than a venture-stage business. Its competitive position rests on a concentrated community of elite aviation educators, regulatory engagement with the FAA (including chairing the GA Pilot Training Reform Initiative), and bundled benefits that competitors cannot easily replicate. Growth levers going forward include national expansion of the CFI-PRO program via the 2023 Bob Hoover Legacy Foundation partnership, deeper penetration into K-12 aviation education, and continued digitization of member resources, though financial scale is constrained by the inherent size limits of the U.S. CFI population.

Name

SOCIETY OF AVIATION AND FLIGHT EDUCATORS

Legal name

Society of Aviation and Flight Educators

Website

https://safepilots.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2009

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

SAFE is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit professional membership organization representing approximately 700 U.S. aviation educators, delivering CFI professional development, liability insurance, simulator-based safety training, mentoring, and curated training resources to flight, ground, K-12, college, and maintenance instructors.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Aviation Education Services

NAICS

Flight Training (611512), Professional and Management Development Training (611430)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Aviation & Aerospace (EDABALAC)

akta.pro secondary industry

Aviation Liability Insurance (Passenger & Third-Party) (FSAJAHAD)

Keywords

• Aviation education
• Flight instructor training
• CFI professional development
• Pilot proficiency training
• Aviation safety programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Ventura

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues: SAFE generates revenue primarily through annual membership dues at multiple levels (Regular Membership, Lifetime Membership). Associate-level members are excluded from certain programs including CFI liability insurance.
2. SAFE Pilot Store: SAFE operates an online merchandise store selling embroidered patches, pilot supplies, and branded items through Inksoft.
3. Donations: SAFE accepts tax-deductible donations (as a 501(c)(3) organization) including sweepstakes entries ($15 per chance to win prizes such as Lightspeed Zulu 3 headset).
4. CFI Liability Insurance Program Commission: SAFE partners with Aviation Insurance Resources and Starrlink to provide CFI liability insurance to members. While the program is designed to offer best protection at competitive rates, SAFE earns revenue through this member benefit program.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

SAFE (Society of Aviation and Flight Educators) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit professional membership organization that provides aviation educators with training programs, liability insurance, mentoring, an online resource center, and a mobile toolkit app. Its core offerings include the Pilot Proficiency Project simulator training, SAFE CFI-PRO workshops for new flight instructors, the Aviation Educator Mentoring Program, CFI liability insurance through Aviation Insurance Resources, K-12 classroom teacher grants, and discounts from 25+ corporate partners.

Product overview

SAFE (Society of Aviation and Flight Educators) is a professional membership organization offering a portfolio of aviation educator support programs rather than a single software product. The core offerings include the Pilot Proficiency Project™ (simulator training at aviation events), SAFE CFI-PRO™ (new CFI professional development workshops), Aviation Educator Mentoring Program (mentor-mentee matching), CFI Liability Insurance Program, and the SAFE CFI Scholarship Program. Digital offerings include the SAFE Toolkit App (mobile reference app for aviation educators), Members-Only Resource Center (member-exclusive training materials and syllabi), and Public Resource Center (free aviation safety resources). Additional programs include K-12 Classroom Teacher Grants and collaboration with the Master Instructor Program. The organization focuses on promoting excellence in aviation education and aviation safety through professional development, mentorship, training resources, and insurance products.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Pilot Proficiency Project: Cooperative effort between SAFE and strategic partners providing proficiency training through safety forums and simulator training sessions at aviation venues across the U.S.
• SAFE CFI-PRO
• Aviation Educator Mentoring Program
• SAFE Toolkit App

Products and services

• SAFE Membership (Regular, Lifetime, Associate) Annual and lifetime subscription memberships providing voting rights, access to the Aviation Educator Mentoring Program, member discounts from 25+ corporate partners, CFI Liability Insurance eligibility (Regular and Lifetime), and Resource Center access for aviation educators across flight, ground, youth, college, and maintenance disciplines. Associate-level membership excludes CFI Liability Insurance participation.
• CFI Liability Insurance Program Comprehensive liability insurance coverage for SAFE member-flight instructors, offered exclusively through Aviation Insurance Resources and accessed via the Starrlink online portal. Available only to Regular and Lifetime SAFE members (Associate-level members excluded) and provides competitive rates plus premium discounts for Master Instructor-designated members and FAA WINGS Advanced/Master phase completers within the prior 12 months.
• SAFE Toolkit App Free mobile application providing quick reference guides for instructor endorsements, Test Codes Key, ACS/PTS/FAR/AIM references, Tail Number Lookups, FAA Wings Decoder, and other tools for professional aviation educators. Available on iOS and Android.
• Pilot Proficiency Project™ Pilot proficiency training program combining safety forums with simulator training sessions (15-minute pre-brief, 30 minutes in simulator, 15-minute debrief) co-developed with Redbird Flight Simulations. Delivered at major aviation events across the U.S. including EAA AirVenture and AOPA Fly-Ins, and distributed through Redbird's network of 300+ flight school simulators. Eligible for FAA WINGS credit.
• SAFE CFI-PRO™ Professional development workshop program for new flight instructors providing 'missing manual' training originally developed by Larry Enlow at Orlando FSDO. Targets new CFIs to improve professionalism, accelerate on-the-job training, and address the gap between academy training and real-world flight instruction.
• Aviation Educator Mentoring Program Needs-based mentoring program matching expert aviation educators with those seeking assistance or improvement across flight, ground, youth, college, maintenance, or other aviation education disciplines. Available to SAFE members and supported by a Facebook Mentoring Connection Group for member interaction.
• SAFE Pilot Store Online merchandise store selling embroidered patches, pilot supplies, and SAFE-branded items operated through the Inksoft e-commerce platform.

Quantifiable outcome

• CFI-PRO bootcamp-style intervention reduced flight training accidents by 60% in only two years at Orlando FSDO (original program developed by Larry Enlow)
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Starr AviationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2013Starr Aviation (division of Starr Indemnity & Liability Company) partnered with SAFE to reward participation in the Pilot Proficiency Project with an Accident Forgiveness Endorsement for qualified Starr policyholders. First opportunity was at Sun-n-Fun 2013.
• EAA (Experimental Aircraft Association)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2010EAA is the primary annual sponsor of the Pilot Proficiency Project at AirVenture Oshkosh, providing venue and support for SAFE's premier training initiative. The project combines safety forums with Redbird simulator training at EAA events.
• Redbird Flight SimulationscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2010Redbird co-developed simulator training scenarios with SAFE for the Pilot Proficiency Project. Redbird is the exclusive website sponsor and Platinum Level Corporate Member. The partnership includes delivering training at Redbird simulator-equipped venues and sharing scenarios across Redbird's 300+ simulator network.
• Aviation Insurance ResourcescoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSAFE partnered with Aviation Insurance Resources to bring SAFE member-flight instructors CFI liability insurance at competitive rates. Insurance is accessible through Starrlink online portal and all Air-Pro agents are pilots.
• CFI BootcampminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSAFE's CFI Scholarship Program supports highly-qualified candidates to obtain their initial CFI in collaboration with CFI Bootcamp in Miami. Cheyenne Neff was the first SAFE Scholar in 2022.
• Lightspeed AviationminorGTM or Marketing PartnerLightspeed Aviation collaboration supports the SAFE CFI Scholarship Program — purchases of new Lightspeed headsets help fund the scholarship initiative for new CFIs.
• Master Instructors LLCcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerSAFE supports and promotes the Master Instructor Continuing Education Program. SAFE's CFI insurance offers premium discounts for members with current Master Instructor designation.
• FAAcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSAFE collaborates with the FAA on industry reform initiatives, responds to FAA NPRMs, participates in FAA Working Groups, and has provided FAASTeam Flight Instructor Open Forums through the SAFE Resource Center. SAFE also chaiced the GA Pilot Training Reform Initiative.
• FAA WINGS ProgramcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSAFE's Pilot Proficiency Project offers FAA WINGS credit to participants. The CFI insurance program offers premium discounts for members who completed FAA WINGS Advanced or Master phase within the previous 12 months.
• Gold Seal Ground SchoolsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSAFE collaborated with Gold Seal Ground Schools to livestream aviation content during the canceled Florida Flight Expo and COVID-19 quarantine period. Content aired on Gold Seal's Facebook, YouTube, and GoldSealLIVE channels.
• Bob Hoover Legacy FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSAFE affiliated with the Bob Hoover Legacy Foundation and Aero News Network to expand the SAFE CFI-PRO initiative nationally. The foundation's emphasis on professionalism and careful excellence aligns with SAFE's mission.
• Aero News Network (ANN)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerPartnered with SAFE and Bob Hoover Legacy Foundation to expand the reach of the SAFE CFI-PRO initiative through media coverage and promotion.
• AOPAcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSAFE partners with AOPA for events including AOPA Summit and AOPA Fly-Ins. SAFE participated in AOPA's Pilot Proficiency Project at AOPA Summit 2012 and provides resources including AOPA Flight Training Field Guides and Safety Spotlights through SAFE's Resource Center.
• Sennheiser AviationminorGTM or Marketing PartnerOriginal sponsor of the Pilot Proficiency Project, providing support during the proof-of-concept phase at EAA AirVenture 2012.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Broad incumbents

• AOPA Air Safety Institute: The AOPA Air Safety Institute is AOPA's training and safety education arm offering courses, videos, and safety programs for pilots and instructors. It overlaps SAFE's Pilot Proficiency Project and CFI-PRO themes but operates at much larger scale as part of AOPA.
• Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA): AOPA is the largest U.S. GA membership organization with hundreds of thousands of members across pilots broadly. It overlaps SAFE in pilot proficiency initiatives, fly-in events, and FAA advocacy, and its Air Safety Institute offers CFI-relevant training resources at much greater scale.
• ATP Flight School: ATP is the largest U.S. professional flight training organization operating an airline-oriented training pipeline. While not a membership association, it is a major employer of CFIs and a buyer of CFI training and insurance benefits, making it an important adjacent commercial peer.
• Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA): EAA is a major GA membership and advocacy organization, primary sponsor of SAFE's Pilot Proficiency Project at AirVenture Oshkosh. It serves a broader recreational and experimental aviation audience but competes for the same CFI mindshare and event footprint.

Others

• Sporty's Pilot Shop: Sporty's is a pilot training content and supplies provider and SAFE corporate partner offering member discounts. It shares an aviation educator and pilot customer base with SAFE but competes in commercial training products rather than professional association services.
• Gleim Aviation: Gleim Aviation is a long-standing provider of aviation training materials, test prep, and continuing education for pilots and instructors. As a SAFE corporate partner offering member discounts, it serves a closely related audience via commercial self-study rather than membership.
• King Schools: King Schools produces widely used CFI training, ground school, and test preparation content and is a SAFE corporate partner offering member discounts. It is an adjacent commercial training content provider serving a closely overlapping aviation educator audience.
• Redbird Flight Simulations: Redbird is SAFE's strategic partner and exclusive sponsor of the SAFE website; together they co-developed the Pilot Proficiency Project simulator scenarios deployed across 300+ simulators. Redbird is an enabling ecosystem participant rather than a competing membership organization.

Direct peers

• National Association of Flight Instructors (NAFI): NAFI is the other major U.S. professional membership organization specifically serving flight instructors, offering continuing education, mentoring, and member services. NAFI and SAFE are the two primary CFI-centric associations and most directly comparable in mission and audience.
• Master Instructors LLC: Master Instructors administers the Master Instructor continuing education designation and accredited continuing education programs for CFIs—a credentialing framework tightly intertwined with SAFE's CFI-PRO, mentoring, and insurance discount benefits. They serve an overlapping audience with closely aligned professional development offerings.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/SAFEPilots
• Facebookfacebook.com/SAFEPilots
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/society-of-aviation-and-flight-educators

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about SOCIETY OF AVIATION AND FLIGHT EDUCATORS