Professional Pilots of Tomorrow

What Professional Pilots of Tomorrow does

Professional Pilots of Tomorrow (PPOT) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 2016 and headquartered in Brooklyn, New York, that provides free pilot mentorship, career resources, and scholarships to aspiring professional aviators. The organization is 100% volunteer-run with no paid staff and serves a community of 3,000+ active members and 750+ trained pilot mentors drawn from nearly every U.S. Part 121 airline plus Part 135 charter and Part 91K corporate operators. Its core offering is a 1-on-1 mentorship program in which mentees are strategically paired with experienced pilots, supported by a proprietary Pilot Portal platform, a Pilot Support Network for career difficulties, and a scholarship program that awarded $5,000 between two winners in the Spring 2026 cycle. The organization explicitly maintains independence from any airline or aviation company and prohibits mentor recruiting through the platform.

The underlying technology is a web-based member platform (memberportal.theppot.org) hosting mentee and mentor applications, the proprietary mentorship pairing system, an Airline Comparison App, a Mentor Directory, a Low-Time Pilot Program that connects low-time pilots with operators, and an integrated JSfirm aviation job board accessible through the Pilot Portal. PPOT extends its product surface through partner-product integrations: LindberghAI (FAA-trained AI chatbot for checkride prep), The Checkride Guide (FAA ACS summaries), AIROS and LogTen (electronic pilot logbooks with member discounts), Purdue University Global (up to 20% tuition discount on aviation degrees), KORE Aviation headsets, JetSeam apparel, Skyfarer Academy, the Flight Simulation Association, and Jaybird Sim Center (FAA-certified motion simulators). Distribution is entirely digital across organic social channels (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter/X, LinkedIn), podcast features, earned media such as AeroCrew News, an email newsletter, and member referrals.

PPOT's business model is donation-funded: revenue is limited to individual contributions from members and small organizations plus corporate sponsorships. The organization publicly allocates donations as 40% core infrastructure and operations, 20% scholarships, 20% development and expansion programs, 15% marketing and growth, and 5% donation processing fees. Membership, mentorship, and all resources remain permanently free. Geographic reach covers U.S. states and territories (including Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, and Guam) plus a cross-border partnership with the Canadian nonprofit 49th Degree Aviation, while scholarships carry eligibility restrictions limiting awards to citizens training within specified U.S. jurisdictions.

Name

Professional Pilots of Tomorrow

Legal name

Professional Pilots of Tomorrow

Website

https://www.theppot.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2016

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Professional Pilots of Tomorrow (PPOT) is a volunteer-run 501(c)(3) nonprofit providing free 1-on-1 mentorship, career resources, and scholarships to 3,000+ aspiring pilots via 750+ trained pilot mentors. All services are donation-funded and free to members.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Brooklyn

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Donations and Contributions: PPOT is funded solely by independent donations from members and small organizations. The organization maintains extreme fiscal responsibility with donations allocated as follows: 40% Core Infrastructure and Operations, 20% Scholarships, 20% Development and Expansion Programs, 15% Marketing and Growth, 5% Donation Fees. Membership and mentorship services remain completely free.
2. Corporate Sponsorships: Corporate sponsorships provide funding and support to help PPOT provide resources to aspiring pilots. Sponsors receive recognition from the organization's 1500+ pilot members.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

Professional Pilots of Tomorrow (PPOT) is a 501(c)(3) volunteer-run nonprofit that provides free 1-on-1 mentorship pairing aspiring pilots with experienced professional pilots, supported by a Pilot Portal offering an airline comparison app, mentor directory, low-time pilot job placement, and pilot support network. The organization also administers an annual scholarship program for flight training and curates industry partner discounts for its members.

Product overview

Professional Pilots of Tomorrow (PPOT) is a nonprofit mentorship organization offering a platform of interconnected services centered on 1 on 1 mentorship pairing aspiring pilots with experienced professional pilots. The core product is the Mentorship Program, supported by the Pilot Portal platform which provides access to an Airline Comparison App, Mentor Directory, Low-Time Pilot Program, and Pilot Support Network. PPOT also administers its own Scholarship Program awarding financial assistance for flight training. The organization partners with third-party aviation products including LindberghAI (AI chatbot trainer), The Checkride Guide (FAA ACS prep tool), AIROS and LogTen (electronic logbooks), and Jaybird Sim Center (flight simulators) to provide member discounts and benefits. Membership is free and the organization is 100% volunteer-run.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• 1-on-1 Mentorship Program

Quantifiable outcome

• 3000+ pilots supported through active membership
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration1 record

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered standard and core.

• AIROSstandardGTM or Marketing PartnerAIROS is an electronic pilot logbook designed by pilots for pilots. PPOT members receive a $25 discount on their first purchase of an annual subscription. Partnership provides members with discounted access to intelligent digital logbook features.
• Purdue University GlobalstandardGTM or Marketing PartnerPurdue University Global offers PPOT members a 20% undergraduate and 14% graduate tuition discount on any degree or certificate program. All courses are 100% online with 175+ programs including BS in Professional Flight and BS in Aviation Management. Members can save upwards of $37,000 with significant transfer credits for airline Captains (80), First Officers (70), and CFIs (45).
• LogTenstandardGTM or Marketing PartnerLogTen provides electronic pilot logbook services. PPOT members who are new to LogTen receive a free 6-month trial followed by 12-23% off LogTen subscriptions through special Enterprise pricing.
• LindberghAIstandardTechnology or IntegrationLindberghAI provides an AI tool that uses FAA resources including Handbooks, Advisory Circulars, and FAR/AIM to answer flight training questions. Advanced algorithms point members to correct FAA sources for better checkride preparation.
• JetSeamstandardGTM or Marketing PartnerJetSeam is a US-based pilot apparel company headquartered in North Carolina (Raleigh area) shipping throughout the US and internationally. PPOT members receive 15% off their first 4 orders through a specialized partner link.
• 49th Degree AviationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner49th Degree Aviation is a Canadian registered non-profit organization with volunteers dedicated to empowering the next generation of aviators. PPOT is a proud partner with shared goal of supporting the next generation of aviators in North America through professional pilot development, mentorship, and free resources.
• KORE AviationstandardGTM or Marketing PartnerKORE Aviation provides premium aviation headsets at affordable prices, backed by over 30 years of aviation equipment manufacturing experience. PPOT members receive 10% discount using code PPOT10.
• Flight Simulation AssociationstandardGTM or Marketing PartnerFlight Simulation Association provides resources for flight simulation enthusiasts, from beginners to experienced simmers. FSA offers guides, learning resources, one-on-one coaching, annual conventions, local flight sim clubs, and year-round product discounts.
• Skyfarer AcademystandardStrategic or Co-development PartnerSkyfarer Academy is a platform supporting students, pilots, and aviation professionals at every stage. PPOT members receive access to introductory discovery online sessions with instructors and expanded access to mentorship, training resources, and industry connections.
• JSfirmcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJSfirm is the world's largest resource for aviation jobs, serving the industry for over 20 years. PPOT members receive free access to the entire JSfirm database through the PPOT Pilot Portal Job Board. JSfirm provides free service for job seekers with the fastest-growing aviation job website and resume database.
• Jaybird Sim CenterstandardGTM or Marketing PartnerJaybird Sim Center offers 24/7 access to FAA-certified motion flight simulators, premium indoor golf simulators, and a pilot's lounge with free espresso bar at Falcon Field (KFFZ). PPOT members receive Professional Membership for $200/mo (unlimited simulator access) or Basic Membership at $125/mo (6 flight hours per month).
• The Checkride GuidestandardGTM or Marketing PartnerThe Checkride Guide provides summarized FAA Airman Certification Standards (ACS) information for checkride oral preparation, developed by experienced FAA Approved Check Instructors. The service is free for CFIs and PPOT members receive an extended free trial with affordable plans for students.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights7 records

Direct peers

• 49th Degree Aviation: Canadian registered non-profit dedicated to empowering the next generation of aviators through mentorship, scholarships, and free resources. Listed as an explicit PPOT partner, with shared mission of supporting future pilots in North America.
• Skyfarer Academy: Platform supporting students, pilots, and aviation professionals at every career stage with mentorship, training resources, and industry connections. Directly comparable to PPOT's mentorship-plus-resources offering and an active PPOT partner.
• Women in Aviation International (WAI): Nonprofit offering scholarships, mentoring, and networking to advance women in aviation careers. Overlaps directly with PPOT in providing mentorship and scholarships to aspiring pilots, particularly within a defined demographic segment.

Broad incumbents

• Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA): Largest general aviation association in the U.S., offering member benefits, scholarships, mentoring programs, and pilot resources. Comparable as an established, broad aviation-education and member-services organization operating at much greater scale than PPOT.
• Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA): Major aviation membership organization running youth programs (e.g., Young Eagles), scholarships, and mentoring initiatives. Comparable as a large nonprofit aviation community providing free career and training support to aspiring pilots.
• ATP Flight School: Largest flight training network in the U.S., offering structured pilot career programs and airline partnerships. Comparable as a high-scale pilot-career pathway provider, but commercial rather than free mentorship.
• CAE: Global leader in aviation training, including ab initio pilot programs, cadet programs, and airline training. Comparable as a large-scale aviation-career training and development platform serving aspiring pilots.
• Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University: Premier aviation and aerospace university offering pilot training, aviation science, and career mentoring. Comparable as a leading aviation higher-education institution whose student population overlaps with PPOT's aspiring-pilot segment.

Emerging players

• JSfirm: World's largest aviation-specific job board, integrated into PPOT's member portal. Comparable as an aviation-career-enablement platform adjacent to PPOT's job placement and career-guidance services.
• Purdue University Global (Aviation Programs): Online university offering aviation degrees (BS in Professional Flight, Aviation Management) and tuition discounts to PPOT members. Comparable as an academic pathway provider feeding into the same aspiring-pilot pipeline PPOT serves.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/The_PPOT
• Facebookfacebook.com/ProfessionalPilots
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/ppot-official
• Instagraminstagram.com/professionalpilots

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles21 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Professional Pilots of Tomorrow