Aspiring pilots face two major hurdles on the road to their first certificate: finding an instructor who matches their learning style and securing funding for their training. Lima Flight was created to address the first challenge, and in partnership with Stratus Financial, it now helps solve the second. Another important tidbit is that you can find Flex Air in the app, so you can get started with a leading AOPA Best in the Pacific Region, Military Friendly®, Cessna Top Hawk, and world-class Cessna Pilot Center (CPC®) flight school.
Lima Flight is a mobile application that connects student pilots with Certified Flight Instructors (CFIs) and flight schools. Its goal is to make it easier and more transparent by letting users search, compare, and contact instructors directly. The app is available on both iOS and Android.
Rather than relying on chance assignments at local airports, Lima Flight allows students to evaluate instructors based on personality, teaching philosophy, and availability. According to AOPA, the app’s emphasis on “fit” is important because being paired with the right instructor can make a major difference in how effectively students learn. The platform is also expanding beyond CFIs and schools to include aircraft rentals, mechanics, and designated pilot examiners.
Lima Flight introduced several upgrades in 2025 that improved performance and user experience for both students and instructors. According to State Aviation Journal (read here), new features are being rolled out continuously as the company refines its model. The app is currently free to use, with optional listing enhancements for instructors and schools expected later this year.
Lima Flight’s creator, James Ellwanger, developed the concept after realizing how often mismatched instructor–student relationships led to frustration or dropout. Ellwanger’s aviation journey began with a discovery flight as a teenager, eventually earning private, instrument, and commercial ratings before becoming a CFI around 2020.
As a flight instructor, he realized that the lack of transparency in matching students with instructors was holding many people back. Students rarely had the opportunity to choose a CFI whose approach matched their learning style. That insight became the foundation for Lima Flight.
Ellwanger explained, “You have a little more power when you can view and compare instructors before meeting them. A flight instructor who understands how you learn best and adapts the lessons accordingly can help students learn more quickly and with greater confidence and skill.”
Beyond helping students, Lima Flight also supports independent CFIs who might not have the visibility of large flight schools. By listing their credentials and teaching preferences, they can reach motivated students who are serious about completing training. Ellwanger built the app from first-hand experience running his own operations, giving him practical insight into what instructors and students need most.
Lima Flight’s central function is its searchable directory of CFIs and schools. Students can filter by location, instructor specialty, and availability. They can also view profiles to learn about instructors' qualifications and experience. This streamlined search replaces the tedious process of calling or visiting every airport or flight school.
For instructors and schools, Lima Flight acts as a digital storefront. CFIs can reach students outside their immediate region, and the app provides schools with a place where they can be found by prospective student pilots.
The app’s Community Connect feature extends its value by integrating aviation-related services directly into the user experience. Within this module, Stratus Financial provides access to its student pilot financing options (Visit Stratus Financial). Students can browse instructor listings and learn about tailored loan solutions without leaving the app.
Importantly, Flex Air is already connected within the Lima Flight network. This integration allows aspiring pilots to discover Flex Air training opportunities and instructors directly inside the app.
In 2025, Lima Flight and Stratus Financial formalized a partnership designed to close the gap between discovery and affordability. Stratus Financial, a company known for its specialized pilot training loans, now integrates directly into the Lima Flight platform.
If you're working with Flex Air, we can help you explore all the different financial options, to include VA benefits and other payment options that we offer internally.
Click here to visit our Pilot Financing page!
According to Brandon Martini, co-CEO and co-founder of Stratus, this collaboration helps “remove financial barriers and empower more students to take their first flight lesson.” By embedding financing information into the app, Lima Flight allows students to understand what’s financially possible right when they’re ready to choose an instructor or school.
The move aligns with both organizations’ missions to expand access to aviation careers. Stratus performs basic reviews of flight schools as part of its lending eligibility checks, though these assessments are financial rather than instructional in nature. Students are encouraged to review program details independently, ensuring they find the right fit for their goals.
For student pilots, Lima Flight simplifies what was once an overwhelming process. Instead of navigating multiple websites, phone calls, and financial applications, students can now explore everything from instructor profiles to loan options in one place.
For instructors and schools, the platform increases exposure to motivated students who are actively planning to begin or complete training.
The presence of flight schools and now a financial solution creates a complete ecosystem where students can discover instructors, secure financing, and begin training more efficiently than ever before.
Lima Flight continues to develop its app and expand its network as adoption grows. Future updates are expected to include more comprehensive listings for examiners, mechanics, and rental aircraft providers, along with enhanced scheduling and availability features.
Flex Air’s existing integration is only the beginning. In the near future, we will share more details about how to connect directly with Flex Air through the app and how students can make the most of this partnership.
If you are considering pilot training, Lima Flight is a new way to find instructors and schools that align with your goals. You can still browse our website for full details about our programs and reach out to get started.