Redtail Flight Academy
Redtail Flight Academy is a 501(c)(3) Tuskegee Airmen-inspired flight school at New York Stewart International Airport providing scholarship-based Private through Commercial pilot training to underrepresented youth ages 18–25, funded through corporate sponsorships, donations, and a tiered Ambassador Program.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2021
- Headquarters—
- Headcount—
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Redtail Flight Academy does
Redtail Flight Academy (RFA) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit flight school operating at New York Stewart International Airport in Newburgh, New York, providing scholarship-based pilot training from Private Pilot through Commercial certification to underrepresented youth ages 18–25. Founded in September 2021 as an operating extension of the Major General Irene Trowell-Harris Chapter of Tuskegee Airmen Inc. (originally established 1988), RFA is FAA Part 141 certified and trains students on a fleet spanning Piper 100i trainers with Garmin glass cockpit avionics, Cessna 150, Piper Cherokee 140, Twin Comanche, and a Redbird full motion simulator. Beyond its core pilot training program, the organization operates a portfolio of six programs including the Lee A. Archer Red Tail Youth Flying Program (grades 7–12), Early Birds (grades 2–6), Junior Red Tail Girl Power Program (ages 8–13), Aviation Summer Camp, and a Maintenance Scholarship Program delivered in partnership with Dutchess Community College for A&P certification.
The organization's business model is donation-driven rather than tuition-driven. Primary revenue streams include individual donations, corporate sponsorships (American Express, Piper Aircraft, Sikorsky/Lockheed Martin, JetBlue, United Airlines, Atlantic Aviation, Signature Flight Support, Guardian Jet, NATA), a tiered Ambassador Program ranging from $1,000 to $150,000, and the annual Willie Carter/Tuskegee Airmen Memorial Golf Classic. A small public access training program generates fee revenue that cross-subsidizes scholarship recipients. To date, 252 scholarships totaling $275,000 have been awarded, 886+ minority youth have been impacted, and the first class of six pilots graduated in 2022. The stated scaling goal is 30 annual scholarships by 2026, totaling 90 pilots trained between 2021 and 2026.
RFA is governed by a board that includes the President Glendon Fraser (retired USAF Lt. Col and former United Airlines Assistant Chief Pilot with 22,000+ hours), Executive Director Carlos Rodriguez (former IBM, Harsco, and Argo tech operations executive), Treasurer Carolee Rodriguez (American Express Corporate Aviation), and board members from United Airlines, FedEx, USAF, Lockheed Martin, and the Air National Guard. Career placement is supported through internship pipelines with corporate aviation partners including American Express, which provides exposure to Gulfstream flight operations. The organization does not disclose revenue, has no venture capital or private equity investment, and operates with a stated funding goal of leveraging an initial $800,000 donation into $8 million in training opportunities.
Redtail Flight Academy firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Redtail Flight Academy
- Legal name
- Lee A. Archer Jr. Red Tail Youth Flying Program
- Website
- https://redtailflightacademy.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2021
- Operating status
- Operating
- Short description
- Redtail Flight Academy is a 501(c)(3) Tuskegee Airmen-inspired flight school at New York Stewart International Airport providing scholarship-based Private through Commercial pilot training to underrepresented youth ages 18–25, funded through corporate sponsorships, donations, and a tiered Ambassador Program.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Redtail Flight Academy industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Aviation Training Services
- NAICS
- Flight Training (611512), Technical and Trade Schools (6115)
- SIC
- Services-Educational Services (8200)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Private Aviation Pilot & Crew Staffing/Training Services (THABAFAJ)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Regulatory, Compliance & Type Training (FAA/EASA/ICAO, Part 147/145) (EDAOAFAN)
Keywords
Redtail Flight Academy business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Others
Revenue model
- Donations and Fundraising: Primary revenue from individual donations, corporate sponsorships, and fundraising events like the annual Golf Classic. Small monthly contributions ($1/month) support fuel costs for student training.
- Corporate Sponsorships: Major sponsors provide financial support and in-kind contributions including aircraft (Piper), training equipment, and internship opportunities. Ambassadors pay membership fees from $1,000 to $150,000 for various benefit levels.
- Public Access Training: Non-scholarship flight training available to the general public. Revenue from these programs supports the scholarship initiatives.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Multi-year contract | Full Scholarship Program (Private to Commercial Pilot) |
| Subscription | Monthly | Fuel Donation Program |
| Subscription | Annual | Ambassador Membership Levels |
| Subscription | Multi-year contract | Ambassador Drive Levels |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels6 records
Redtail Flight Academy product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Redtail Flight Academy is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit flight school that provides scholarship-based FAA Part 61 pilot training, aviation education, and mentoring programs to underrepresented youth. It operates at New York Stewart International Airport and combines ground school, simulator training, and flight hours with structured mentoring aimed at building a pipeline into aviation careers. The Academy supplements its scholarship program with public-access flight training to support its mission.
Product overview
RedTail Flight Academy is a multi-program aviation training organization offering a portfolio of youth and professional flight training programs. The core offering is the RedTail Flight Academy (RFA), which provides scholarships to take young people ages 18-25 from Student Pilot to fully licensed Commercial Pilot. Supporting youth programs include the Lee A. Archer Red Tail Youth Flying Program (grades 7-12), Early Birds (grades 2-6), and RFA Aviation Summer Camp (ages 8-18). The RFA Maintenance Scholarship Program, in partnership with Dutchess Community College, trains aviation mechanics for A&P certification. Training is delivered via flight instruction, Piper aircraft with Garmin glass cockpit avionics, and Redbird full motion simulators at Stewart International Airport. Financing is available through AOPA Finance and Sallie Mae partnerships, while the RFA Ambassador Program offers corporate membership tiers from $1,000 to $150,000.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Lee A. Archer Jr. Red Tail Youth Flying Program: After-school flight training, STEM education, and leadership development program for 7th to 12th graders, operating for over 20 years
- Early Birds (RedTails at the Armory)
- Junior Red Tail Girl Power Program
- RFA Maintenance Scholarship Program
- RFA Aviation Summer Camp
Products and services
- Redtail Scholarship Program Scholarship-based FAA Part 61 pilot training program for underrepresented youth in the Hudson Valley, covering ground school, simulator training, and flight hours with structured mentoring toward aviation careers.
- Public-Access Flight Training Fee-based Part 61 flight training offered to the general public at New York Stewart International Airport, supplementing the Academy's scholarship mission.
- Aviation Education Program Structured aviation education and mentoring program accompanying the flight training curriculum, providing academic enrichment and career-pathway exposure for student scholars.
Quantifiable outcome
- 252 scholarships awarded totaling $275,000
- +4 more outcomes
Companies that use Redtail Flight Academy
Customer profileNamed customers7 records
Segments7 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
Redtail Flight Academy technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature4 records
Redtail Flight Academy partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core, key and supporting.
- Tuskegee Airmen Inc.coreRFA is a Tuskegee Airmen-inspired program connected to the national organization. The partnership provides access to 53 chapters, mentorship networks, and the organization's youth initiative mission.
- Piper AircraftcorePiper Aircraft provided two Pilot 100i trainers with special red tail and wingtips paint job. Aircraft feature Garmin glass cockpit avionics. The partnership enables RFA's scholarship program with modern, economical training aircraft.
- American ExpresscoreAmerican Express provides internship opportunities for RFA students. Head of AMEX flight department Richard Walsh serves on RFA board. Internship provides exposure to flight operations, dispatch, business administration, and Gulfstream facility visits.
- Guardian JetkeyGuardian Jet provides sponsorship support. VP of Sales Gabriel Bastos serves on RFA board of directors. Company specializes in aircraft brokerage and consulting.
- Signature Flight SupportkeySignature Flight Support announced relationship with RFA to cultivate diverse future of aviation industry. FBO services provider supporting Stewart Airport operations.
- Dutchess Community CollegecorePartnership provides Aviation Maintenance Technology (AMT) training leading to Airframe and Powerplant (A&P) license and associate degree. RFA Maintenance Scholarship program through this partnership.
- JetBlue AirwayssupportingCorporate sponsor supporting RFA's mission to diversify aviation workforce.
- United AirlinessupportingCorporate sponsor and supporter of RFA. Glendon Fraser served as Assistant Chief Pilot at United Airlines.
- Atlantic AviationsupportingFBO operator and corporate sponsor providing support for RFA programs.
- NATAsupportingNational Air Transportation Association pledged support for RFA's goal to diversify the sky.
- New York Stewart International AirportcoreHome base for RFA operations. Tower-controlled airport providing real-world controlled airspace experience. Location offers superior safety, security, and services compared to most flight schools.
Scale indicators9 records
Recent moves8 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Redtail Flight Academy competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Pan Am International Flight Academy: Part 141 flight academy offering career-track pilot training from private through airline transport pilot. Comparable in flight training depth and career orientation, though operates as a commercial school without RedTail's nonprofit scholarship and diversity focus.
- Sisters of the Skies: Nonprofit supporting Black women in aviation careers through scholarships, mentorship, and community. Highly comparable in mission (diversifying the pilot pipeline) and beneficiary overlap with RedTail's Junior Red Tail Girl Power and core scholarship programs.
- Organization of Black Aerospace Professionals (OBAP): National nonprofit dedicated to increasing minority participation in aviation and aerospace. Closely comparable to RedTail in mission, target demographic, and scholarship-based pilot development, though OBAP operates a broader chapter-based mentoring model rather than a dedicated Part 141 flight school.
- ATP Flight School: Largest Part 141 flight training network in the U.S., offering airline-oriented pilot training from zero hours through ATP. Direct competitor for aspiring commercial pilots, though ATP is a for-profit multi-location school without RedTail's scholarship or diversity mandate.
- Epic Flight Academy: Part 141 flight academy offering Private through ATP certification at a towered airport with a modern fleet. Comparable as a structured, career-oriented flight school, though without RedTail's scholarship model or diversity mission.
Broad incumbents
- CAE: Global leader in aviation training, operating the world's largest network of full-flight simulators and crew training centers. Broader incumbent with overlapping pilot training capabilities, but serves incumbent airline crews rather than scholarship-funded entry-level candidates.
- FlightSafety International: Major commercial and general aviation training organization with extensive simulator-based pilot training. Overlaps in flight training delivery but is a broader, established incumbent serving professional crews rather than scholarship-driven underrepresented youth.
- Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University: Premier aviation-focused university offering degree programs in pilot training, aerospace engineering, and aviation business. Comparable as a high-credibility aviation training pathway, but a broader institution delivering degrees rather than a focused scholarship flight academy.
- Spartan College of Aeronautics and Technology: Aviation-focused college offering pilot and aviation maintenance training programs. Comparable in combining flight training with aviation maintenance (A&P) tracks — RedTail's Dutchess Community College maintenance scholarship partner is conceptually adjacent.
Others
- Signature Flight Support: Global FBO network and RFA corporate partner that provides aviation services at Stewart International Airport. Listed as a peer because of its operational and financial support of RedTail, though Signature itself is a fuel/services provider rather than a flight training operator.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Redtail Flight Academy social profiles
Digital presenceRedtail Flight Academy compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance1 record
Redtail Flight Academy financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Redtail Flight Academy leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Redtail Flight Academy funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Redtail Flight Academy M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Redtail Flight Academy
What does Redtail Flight Academy do?
Redtail Flight Academy is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit flight school that provides scholarship-based FAA Part 61 pilot training, aviation education, and mentoring programs to underrepresented youth. It operates at New York Stewart International Airport and combines ground school, simulator training, and flight hours with structured mentoring aimed at building a pipeline into aviation careers. The Academy supplements its scholarship program with public-access flight training to support its mission.
Is Redtail Flight Academy a public or private company?
Redtail Flight Academy is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Redtail Flight Academy founded?
Redtail Flight Academy was founded in 2021.
How does Redtail Flight Academy make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Donations and Fundraising is the primary driver. The others are corporate Sponsorships and public Access Training.
Who are Redtail Flight Academy's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Pan Am International Flight Academy, Sisters of the Skies, Organization of Black Aerospace Professionals (OBAP), ATP Flight School and Epic Flight Academy. Broad incumbents are CAE, FlightSafety International, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and Spartan College of Aeronautics and Technology. Signature Flight Support is listed as an others.
Does Redtail Flight Academy have an API?
No public API is recorded for Redtail Flight Academy.
What industry is Redtail Flight Academy in?
Redtail Flight Academy's product category is Aviation Training Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is THABAFAJ, Private Aviation Pilot & Crew Staffing/Training Services, with a secondary code of EDAOAFAN, Regulatory, Compliance & Type Training (FAA/EASA/ICAO, Part 147/145). Its NAICS code is 611512 and its SIC code is 8200.