Flight-1, LLC
Flight-1 provides structured canopy piloting education courses, instructor certification, and proprietary safety hardware (PLA, A2A, S1M) to sport skydivers, military paratroopers, and instructors across 20+ partner dropzones globally.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2004
- HeadquartersDeland, United States
- Headcount—
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Flight-1, LLC does
Flight-1, LLC (legally organized as Flight-1 Data, Inc.) is a Deland, Florida-based skydiving canopy piloting education company operating across three divisions: Sport, Military, and Tech. Founded in 2004 through the merger of the PD Factory Team and Scott Miller's Freedom of Flight school, Flight-1 delivers a structured, six-series curriculum (100 through 600) covering foundational canopy skills through advanced competition, instructor certification, and specialized training, with courses taught by a global network of approximately 60 certified instructors at 20+ partner dropzones across North America, Europe, Asia, and Africa.
The company's revenue model combines in-person canopy courses priced between roughly €140–€750 depending on course and geography, online instruction and group webinars (600 series) starting at $25 per attendee, and hardware sales through its Tech division. Proprietary technology products include the PLA (Parachute Landing Assistant), a LIDAR-based audible flare guidance device co-developed with retired Navy SEAL Pat Nikitenko; the A2A (Air 2 Air Communications) helmet-mounted radio system with 5+ mile range; and the S1M (Simulator 1 Military) ground-based flight simulator. The PLA MK3 is in pre-order status as of 2025.
Flight-1 segments its customers into sport skydivers (primary, all levels), tandem masters, advanced/competition pilots, military paratroopers served through a dedicated military.flight-1.com platform, and dropzone owners seeking instructor certification. The Military division provides specialized canopy training for alpine, urban, and small landing zone environments. Distribution is primarily direct-to-consumer online booking supplemented by dropzone partner channels, with hardware sold through an e-commerce storefront at store.flight-1.com.
Flight-1, LLC firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Flight-1, LLC
- Legal name
- Flight-1 Data, Inc.
- Website
- https://flight-1.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2004
- Operating status
- Operating
- Short description
- Flight-1 provides structured canopy piloting education courses, instructor certification, and proprietary safety hardware (PLA, A2A, S1M) to sport skydivers, military paratroopers, and instructors across 20+ partner dropzones globally.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Flight-1, LLC industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Skydiving Canopy Piloting Training
- NAICS
- Flight Training (611512)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Extreme Sports Training, Certification & Coaching (Skydiving/Bungee Safety Courses) (THAAAMAJ)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Skydiving Centers & Drop Zones (Tandem, AFF Training) (THAAAKAB), Aviation & Aerospace (EDABALAC)
Keywords
Where Flight-1, LLC is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Deland
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices23 records
Markets served
Flight-1, LLC business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- In-person Canopy Courses: Flight-1 generates revenue primarily through in-person canopy piloting courses delivered at partner dropzones worldwide. Courses span six series (100-600) covering beginner to advanced levels, instructor certification, and specialized training (Mutant harness, competition, military).
- Online Instruction and Webinars: The 600 series provides remote learning through online instruction (hour-long sessions with Flight-1 instructors) and webinars (up to 100 attendees). Sessions are booked via the website or direct email contact.
- PLA Hardware Sales: Flight-1 Tech division sells the Parachute Landing Assistant (PLA) hardware. PLA MK2 is currently shipping, while MK3 is available for pre-order. The product is sold through the Flight-1 store.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Flight 101 - The Active Pilot |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Flight 301 - Personalized Performance |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Flight 305 - Mutant Training |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Flight 401 - Flying Relative |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Flight 403 - Flocking |
| Usage-based | Pay-as-you-go | Flight 602 - Webinars |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels5 records
Flight-1, LLC product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Flight-1 delivers structured canopy piloting education for sport and military skydivers through a six-tier curriculum (100-600 series) ranging from foundational skills to instructor certification, delivered in-person at partner dropzones worldwide and online via webinars. The Flight-1 Tech division additionally sells proprietary hardware including the LIDAR-based Parachute Landing Assistant (PLA) safety aid, the A2A air-to-air communications system, and the S1M military flight simulator.
Product overview
Flight-1 is a skydiving canopy piloting education company operating across three divisions: Sport (recreational skydiving courses), Military (specialized military training), and Tech (hardware products). The Sport division offers a structured curriculum of 16 courses organized into six series (100-600) covering foundation skills through advanced competition and instructor training. The Tech division produces three hardware products: the PLA (Parachute Landing Assistant) for landing safety training, the S1M (Simulator 1 Military) for ground-based flight simulation, and the A2A (Air 2 Air Communications) system for in-air instructor-pilot communication. The Military division provides specialized canopy courses adapted for military operations. Products are sold through the company store and courses are delivered at partner dropzones worldwide.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- PLA (Parachute Landing Assistant): Laser-based LIDAR sensor system that alerts pilots with audible warning tones at preselected altitudes for flare timing guidance.
- Simulator 1 Military
- Air 2 Air Communications (A2A)
Products and services
- PLA (Parachute Landing Assistant) LIDAR-based audible flare guidance device that alerts pilots at preselected altitudes with two warning tones to guide the flare sequence. Features LCD display, onboard configuration dashboard, full Bluetooth support, and optional external auxiliary speaker. Developed with retired Navy SEAL Pat Nikitenko. Used by sport skydivers and military programs.
- A2A (Air 2 Air Communications)
- S1M (Simulator 1 Military) Ground-based military-grade canopy flight simulator enabling immersive canopy piloting practice without requiring jumps.
- Flight 100 Series (Foundation) Foundation course series (Flight 101-103) teaching fundamentals of canopy flight, correct flare technique, flight planning, and basic accuracy skills. Delivered in-person at partner dropzones.
- Flight 200 Series (Airspeed) Essential skills course series (Flight 201-203) covering airspeed management, inducing airspeed, and high-performance turns for safe canopy piloting.
- Flight 300 Series (Personalized) Personalized coaching course series (Flight 301, 302, 305) for one-to-one instruction, competition preparation, and UPT Mutant harness training.
- Flight 400 Series (Air-to-Air) Air-to-air training course series (Flight 401-403) using radio systems for live instructor feedback while flying alongside students in formation.
- Flight 500 Series (Instructor) Instructor training course series (Flight 501-502) for Sport Tandem Pilot certification and internal Flight-1 instructor development.
- Flight 600 Series (Online) Online instruction course series (Flight 601-602) for remote one-on-one coaching sessions and group webinars.
- Military Canopy Course Series (101M-303M) Military canopy piloting course suite (101M-303M) covering essential skills, advanced accuracy, stack flyers, lead jumper training, small landing zones, alpine/austere environments, and urban operations. Delivered via military.flight-1.com.
Quantifiable outcome
- 98% reduction in landing injuries using PLA in military training programs
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Flight-1, LLC
Customer profileNamed customers9 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Flight-1, LLC technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature4 records
Flight-1, LLC partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Four partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Plako LLCcorePartnership with Plako LLC for development, implementation, and training methods of the Parachute Landing Assistant (PLA). Plako LLC founder Pat Nikitenko, a retired Navy SEAL, invented the PLA technology. Flight-1 serves as the premier canopy flight training provider partnering on this innovative LIDAR-driven safety product.
- UPT (Union Parachute Technologies)coreFlight 305 Mutant Training course was created in conjunction with UPT and the Mutant Ambassador program. This specialized course provides essential setup and training for the UPT Mutant Harness and is required when purchasing a new Mutant harness.
- Performance DesignsminorPerformance Designs (PD) is referenced in Flight-1's founding history. Scott Miller developed the Essential Skills Curriculum (ESC) while working as chief test jumper at Performance Designs. The PD Factory Team merged with Scott Miller's Freedom of Flight to form Flight-1 in 2004.
- PD Factory TeamcoreThe PD Factory Team merged with Scott Miller's Freedom of Flight to form Flight-1 Canopy School in 2004. The PD Factory Team brought advanced canopy flight curriculum which combined with Scott Miller's Essential Skills Curriculum to create Flight-1's comprehensive curriculum.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Flight-1, LLC competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- UPT (Union Parachute Technologies): Manufacturer of the Mutant harness and other parachute systems. UPT co-developed Flight-1's Flight 305 Mutant Training as a required course for new Mutant buyers, positioning it as both a strategic partner and the most strategically entangled peer in the Flight-1 ecosystem.
- Sun Path Products: Long-standing parachute harness and container manufacturer serving sport, tandem, and military customers. Comparable to Flight-1 as equipment-and-training intertwined peer serving the same skydiver segments.
- iFLY Indoor Skydiving: Largest global indoor skydiving chain offering structured introductory and progression flight training. Targets overlapping beginner and progressing customer psychographics to Flight-1's 100- and 200-series, though in a wind-tunnel rather than parachute environment.
- Aerodyne: Cross-discipline parachute manufacturer (ram-air canopies, square and round rigs) with educational content supporting canopy pilots. Comparable to Flight-1 in targeting the same advanced skydiver ecosystem through manufacturer-led training.
Direct peers
- Skydive University: Online-skydiving education platform offering structured canopy and freefall training programs with certified instructor affiliations. Closest direct competitor to Flight-1's 600-series and online instruction strategy, competing for self-directed students worldwide.
- Performance Designs: Major parachute canopy manufacturer whose PD Factory Team merged with Scott Miller's Freedom of Flight to form Flight-1 in 2004. Performance Designs develops the canopies that Flight-1 students fly and operates a related canopy education/team, making it the closest historical and operational peer.
- PD Factory Team: Performance Designs' canopy acrobatics and demonstration team whose training content combined with Scott Miller's Essential Skills Curriculum to create Flight-1's foundation. Operates a flying-and-coaching model directly comparable to Flight-1's air-to-air 400 series.
Regional players
- NZ Aerosports: Wingsuit and canopy equipment manufacturer operating SKYVAN-based training experiences (e.g., Headdive, Jumpspace) and educational content. Comparable to Flight-1 at the intersection of equipment, training, and adventure experience design.
Emerging players
- Squirrel: Newer performance canopy manufacturer with its own demo team and coaching programs aimed at high-performance swoop and canopy piloting. Competes with Flight-1 indirectly for advanced pilot mindshare and shares the niche canopy-education category.
Others
- USPA (United States Parachute Association): National governing body that issues licenses and hosts the PIA Symposium where Flight-1's PLA won the People's Choice Star Award. Functions as the industry standard-setter and, indirectly, a peer in shaping canopy pilot certification and safety culture.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Flight-1, LLC social profiles
Digital presenceFlight-1, LLC compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance1 record
Flight-1, LLC financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Flight-1, LLC leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
Flight-1, LLC funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Flight-1, LLC 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 Flight-1, LLC
What does Flight-1, LLC do?
Flight-1 delivers structured canopy piloting education for sport and military skydivers through a six-tier curriculum (100-600 series) ranging from foundational skills to instructor certification, delivered in-person at partner dropzones worldwide and online via webinars. The Flight-1 Tech division additionally sells proprietary hardware including the LIDAR-based Parachute Landing Assistant (PLA) safety aid, the A2A air-to-air communications system, and the S1M military flight simulator.
Is Flight-1, LLC a public or private company?
Flight-1, LLC is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Flight-1, LLC founded?
Flight-1, LLC was founded in 2004.
Where is Flight-1, LLC based?
Flight-1, LLC is headquartered in Deland, United States, in the North America region.
How does Flight-1, LLC make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. In-person Canopy Courses are the primary driver. The others are online Instruction and Webinars and PLA Hardware Sales.
Who are Flight-1, LLC's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are UPT (Union Parachute Technologies), Sun Path Products, iFLY Indoor Skydiving and Aerodyne. Direct peers are Skydive University, Performance Designs and PD Factory Team. NZ Aerosports is listed as a regional player. Squirrel is listed as an emerging player. USPA (United States Parachute Association) is listed as an others.
Does Flight-1, LLC have an API?
No public API is recorded for Flight-1, LLC.
What industry is Flight-1, LLC in?
Flight-1, LLC's product category is Skydiving Canopy Piloting Training. Its primary akta.pro industry code is THAAAMAJ, Extreme Sports Training, Certification & Coaching (Skydiving/Bungee Safety Courses), with a secondary code of THAAAKAB, Skydiving Centers & Drop Zones (Tandem, AFF Training). Its NAICS code is 611512.