Ed Bagden is the Director of Operations at LIFT Academy, a premier pilot training school in Indianapolis, Indiana, owned by Republic Airways Holdings. As the academy’s primary on-site leader, he ensures that LIFT’s mission-specific flight training programs align with airline standards, preparing graduates for success in commercial aviation.
With a career that began as an airline pilot, Ed was instrumental in the startup team that built and launched LIFT Academy. Drawing on his experience as an airline captain and flight operations manager, he has shaped LIFT’s innovative approach by mirroring the procedures and best practices of Republic Airways. This strategy redefines traditional pilot education and consistently produces top-performing graduates.
Ed’s leadership style emphasizes operational excellence and fosters a culture of recognition and continuous improvement. His insights on aviation training and technology have been featured in Flying Magazine, AVweb, and Flight International, where he has shared his vision for modernizing pilot education.
Passionate about emerging technologies, Ed is a driving force behind the integration of virtual reality and other advanced tools into flight training. By enhancing the learning experience and better preparing pilots for modern aviation, he ensures that LIFT Academy remains at the forefront of flight training innovation.