What Universial Flight Training does

Universal Flight Training (UFT) is a privately held FAA-certified flight school operating from Sarasota Bradenton International Airport (SRQ) in Sarasota, Florida. Founded in 2010 by CEO Jose Santos, a retired U.S. Marine Corps Master Gunnery Sergeant, the school delivers the full certification pathway from Private Pilot through Instrument Rating, Commercial Pilot, Multi-Engine Rating, and Certified Flight Instructor, under both FAA Part 141 and Part 61 frameworks. Instruction is delivered one-on-one by a team that includes a Chief Flight Instructor and multiple CFIs whose collective flight time exceeds 30,000 hours, supported by an FAA-approved Virtual Fly Solo Pro G1 Advanced Aviation Training Device and a modern fleet that includes Cessna 172S (with Garmin G1000 NXi), a Cirrus SR22-G6 (with Garmin Perspective+ and CAPS), a Diamond DA50, and Piper Cherokee and Archer aircraft.

The business operates a multi-stream revenue model. Core revenue is generated through hourly usage-based billing for aircraft and instructor time ($169–$375/hr aircraft plus $65/hr instructor), simulator time ($115/hr + instructor), and aircraft maintenance services that were expanded in 2024 to serve third-party owners. Complementary streams include a $299 Discovery Flight used as a customer-acquisition entry point, an FAA CATS testing facility (site LAS34204), and rental-only usage by rated pilots. Go-to-market is direct-to-consumer via website, phone, walk-ins, and event presence (including EAA AirVenture Oshkosh), augmented by a strategic partnership with Purdue Global for online aviation degrees and Stratus Financial for student loan underwriting.

UFT serves a fragmented customer base of career-track aspiring airline pilots, recreational hobbyists, Purdue Global university students, and rated pilots renting aircraft. The company cites a 98% checkride pass rate and 500+ graduates since 2010. Ownership and operations remain concentrated with the founder; there is no disclosed institutional investment, parent company, or public listing.

Name

Universial Flight Training

Legal name

Universal Flight Training LLC

Website

https://flyuft.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2010

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Universal Flight Training is an FAA Part 141/61 flight school at Sarasota Bradenton International Airport offering Private Pilot through Certified Flight Instructor certification, aircraft rental, simulator training, and aircraft maintenance, serving career-track and hobbyist pilots in central west Florida.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Flight Training and Pilot Education

NAICS

Flight Training (611512), Technical and Trade Schools (6115)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), Airports, Flying Fields & Airport Terminal Services (4581), Aircraft Parts & Auxiliary Equipment, Nec (3728)

akta.pro primary industry

Private Aviation Pilot & Crew Staffing/Training Services (THABAFAJ)

Keywords

• Flight training school
• Pilot certification programs
• Aircraft rental services
• Aviation maintenance services
• FAA testing center

Headquarters

HQ city

Sarasota

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Flight Training Services: Core revenue from flight instruction across Private Pilot, Instrument Rating, Commercial Pilot, Multi-Engine Rating, and Certified Flight Instructor programs. Revenue generated through hourly aircraft rental and instructor fees.
2. Aircraft Rental: Hourly rental of fleet aircraft to qualified pilots for proficiency flying, cross-country flights, and time building. Rates vary by aircraft type from $169/hr to $375/hr.
3. Simulator Time: Revenue from FAA-approved simulator sessions at $115/hr plus $65/hr instructor fee. Allows loggable hours toward instrument rating.
4. Aircraft Maintenance Services: Full-service maintenance for both UFT fleet and personal aircraft of external customers. Services include oil changes, annual inspections, 100-hour inspections, avionics troubleshooting, and Cirrus SR-series support.
5. CATS Testing Services: Certified FAA Computer Assisted Testing Service facility for administering aviation certification exams. Site number LAS34204.
6. Discovery Flights: Introductory flight experiences at $299 for approximately 30-40 minutes of flight time. Serves as customer acquisition channel and can count toward pilot license training.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Universal Flight Training is a Sarasota-based FAA Part 141/61 flight school that sells pilot certification and rating courses (Private Pilot, Instrument Rating, Commercial Pilot, Multi-Engine Rating, and Certified Flight Instructor) using a fleet of owned aircraft and an FAA-approved simulator. The school monetizes instruction through hourly aircraft rental and instructor fees, plus complementary services such as discovery flights, aircraft maintenance, and FAA CATS exam administration.

Product overview

Universal Flight Training offers a comprehensive suite of pilot training programs at Sarasota Bradenton International Airport (SRQ), featuring five core certification courses (Private Pilot, Instrument Rating, Commercial Pilot, Multi-Engine Rating, and Certified Flight Instructor), alongside supporting services including Discovery Flights, aircraft maintenance, FAA CATS testing, and flight simulator training. The company partners with Purdue Global for university degree programs and Stratus Financial for financing options. The fleet includes modern aircraft (Cessna 172s, Piper Archer, Cirrus SR22-G6, Diamond DA50) with advanced avionics (Garmin G1000, G1000 NXi, Garmin Perspective+). The school emphasizes a 98% checkride pass rate with personalized one-on-one instruction.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Private Pilot Course Foundational flight training course including 40 hours of aircraft time, 10 hours of ground instruction, solo flights, cross-country training, and preparation for the FAA Private Pilot Certificate. Targeted at aspiring pilots beginning their training.
• Instrument Rating Course Advanced training enabling pilots to fly under Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) using aircraft instruments for navigation in low-visibility conditions. Includes 40 hours of hood/cross-country flying and 10 hours of simulator training.
• Commercial Pilot Training Professional-level training for pilots seeking to fly for compensation, covering 170 flight hours, 15 hours of ground instruction, and preparation for the Commercial Pilot Certificate.
• Multi-Engine Rating Training for pilots to operate aircraft with more than one engine. Includes 10 hours of flight training in twin-engine aircraft and preparation for engine-out procedures and multi-engine operations.
• Certified Flight Instructor (CFI) Course Instructor certification training covering 48 hours of ground instruction and 15 hours of flight training, enabling pilots to teach student pilots and build flight hours toward airline employment.
• Discovery Flight Introductory flight experience priced at $299 for approximately 30-40 minutes. Includes pre-flight inspection, hands-on flight controls, and scenic routes over Anna Maria Island, Skyway Bridge, Siesta Key, Egmont Key, or Downtown Sarasota.
• Aircraft Maintenance Services Full-service aircraft maintenance including oil changes, annual inspections, 100-hour inspections, altimeter/transponder checks, A/D compliance, tire replacements, and pre-buy inspections. Technicians are experienced with Cessna, Piper, Cirrus, Beechcraft, and Jets.
• CATS Testing Service Certified FAA Computer Assisted Testing Service facility for FAA certification exams. Site number LAS34204, open to anyone pursuing FAA pilot certifications.
• Virtual Fly Solo Pro G1 AATD Simulator Training FAA-approved Advanced Aviation Training Device (AATD) for up to 20 logged hours toward instrument rating. Features Garmin avionics, force-feedback controls, and high-definition visuals. Rates: $115/hr plus $65/hr instructor.
• Purdue Global University Program Partnership with Purdue Global offering online bachelor's degrees in Professional Flight or Aviation Management. Provides up to 45 transfer credits for FAA certificates. Includes 20% tuition reduction for UFT students and family members.
• Pilot Training Financing through Stratus Financial Financing partnership with Stratus Financial offering flexible loan structures for pilot training. Initial underwriting within 1-2 hours. Requirements include US citizenship or permanent residency, medical certificate, and credit check.

Quantifiable outcome

• 98% checkride pass rate
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration1 record

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Two partnerships are on record, tiered core and supporting.

• Purdue GlobalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership offering online bachelor's degrees in professional flight and aviation management. Students can complete flight training at UFT while earning college credits that may count toward the degree. UFT students and immediate family members receive 20% tuition reduction on undergraduate programs and 14% on graduate programs. Eligible FAA certificates may transfer for up to 45 credits.
• Virtual Fly (Simulator Provider)supportingTechnology or IntegrationProvider of Virtual Fly Solo Pro G1 Advanced Aviation Training Device (AATD). FAA-approved simulator allows students to log up to 20 hours toward instrument rating. Features realistic Garmin avionics, force-feedback controls, and high-definition visuals.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Emerging players

• United Aviate Academy: United's Aviate Academy is an airline-sponsored pilot training pipeline with strong career outcomes; it competes with UFT for career-track students by offering a clearer path to a major airline.

Broad incumbents

• CAE: CAE is a global aviation training leader with flight school operations (formerly CAE Oxford Aviation Academy) covering ab initio pilot training; comparable through its career-track ab initio programs that overlap UFT's pipeline.
• FlightSafety International: FlightSafety is a large incumbent aviation training provider focused on professional and recurrent pilot training with extensive simulator-based instruction; comparable as a broader aviation training operator, though primarily serving already-licensed pilots rather than ab initio.
• Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University: Embry-Riddle is the largest US collegiate aviation institution with its own flight program; comparable to UFT's Purdue Global university-channel model as a competitor for the same career-track student pipeline.

Direct peers

• ATP Flight School: ATP is the largest US Part 141 flight school operator with a national multi-location footprint running the same Zero-to-Hero career-track curriculum from Private Pilot through CFI, directly comparable to UFT's accelerated program structure.
• Skyborne Airline Academy: Skyborne (formerly Aerosim) is a Florida-based Part 141 flight academy with integrated airline partnerships, comparable to UFT's career-track positioning and university partnership approach.
• Epic Flight Academy: Epic operates a Part 141/61 flight academy offering Private through CFI programs with similar career-track positioning and modern fleet, and is one of the largest independent US flight schools — comparable on program mix and target student.
• Phoenix East Aviation: Phoenix East Aviation runs a Part 141 academy in Florida offering Private through CFI and ATP courses with international student intake, directly competing with UFT for career-track students in the same Florida geography.

Others

• Purdue Global: Purdue Global is UFT's university partner for online Professional Flight and Aviation Management degrees; not a competitor but a channel partner feeding students into UFT's training pipeline.
• Stratus Financial: Stratus Financial is UFT's financing partner that underwrites pilot training loans; comparable as an ecosystem enabler serving the same student population rather than a direct competitor.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/UFTSRQ
• Instagraminstagram.com/flyuft

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 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 Universial Flight Training