By Milton Kirby | Lawrenceville, GA – April 29, 2024

Lawrenceville, GA – In the face of a growing global demand for pilots, Mike Ojo, CEO & Founder of Lookup Flight Academy, has taken an additional step to tackle the ongoing pilot shortage crisis. Lookup currently has operations in Winston-Salem, NC.

In a strategic move to expand operations, Mr. Ojo has signed a 25-year lease with the Gwinnett County Airport Authority – Briscoe Field, with plans to commence training by the end of summer 2024. 

Data released by Boeing underscores the urgency of addressing the shortage, projecting a need for 649,000 pilots over the next two decades, translating to approximately 32,000 pilots annually. In the United States alone, a shortfall of nearly 30,000 pilots is anticipated by 2030, with regional airlines expected to bear the brunt of the shortage.

Recent developments, as reported by The Wall Street Journal in November 2023, highlight the competitive landscape, with American Airlines subsidiaries enticing experienced aviators with bonuses reaching up to a quarter-million dollars.

Candidates for pilot training must meet several requirements, including being at least 18 years old, holding a high school diploma or GED, maintaining a clean driving record, passing a criminal background check, undergoing a behavioral/cognitive assessment, and obtaining an FAA First Class medical certificate. Lookup Flight Academy also offers a private pilot program that can be completed in just 90 days, catering to individuals eager to embark on their aviation journey swiftly.

Congressman Hank Johnson (GA-04), a long-time advocate for increasing diversity within the aviation industry, has championed efforts to address racial disparities. Johnson’s ongoing advocacy includes the re-introduction of the Minorities in Aviation Education Act, which proposes a grant program administered by the Federal Aviation Administration in honor of Bessie Coleman, the first Black woman to earn a pilot’s license. Highlighting the need for increased representation, statistics from the Congressman’s office reveal that African Americans comprised only three percent of the pilot workforce in 2023.

With a commitment to excellence and a dedication to addressing industry challenges, Lookup Flight Academy stands ready to shape the future of aviation training while nurturing a diverse and skilled pilot workforce.

According to Lookup Flight Academy’s website, they offer aspiring pilots a comprehensive curriculum that can be completed in just nine months, with a starting cost of $79,880. With the prospect of rapid career progression, pilots trained at Lookup Flight Academy can transition from regional to major airlines in as little as three years, some of which are now offering bonuses exceeding $100,000.