In Lincoln, Nebraska, Ignite Is Now Setting New Standards for the Midwest

Built to Grow, Grounded in Precision

When Ignite Flight Academy rebranded in 2022, it wasn’t just a name change. It was a commitment to redefine what modern flight training looks like. With 65 students, 11 instructors, and a diverse 14-aircraft fleet, the academy has quietly become one of the most forward-thinking training programs in the Midwest.

But behind that growth is a team that knows how to solve problems from the inside out.

We operate on EOS. I manage everything from admissions to inventory to compliance. There’s no room for bloated systems or disconnected tools. Flight Schedule Pro keeps us moving with clarity and control.

Eric Hartwell | Admissions & Project Manager, Ignite Flight Academy

Held Back by Crashing Flight Scheduling Software & Bottlenecks

Before Flight Schedule Pro, clarity didn’t exist. Their previous scheduling software crashed constantly, sometimes several times an hour, creating daily bottlenecks and mounting frustration. The search for stability quickly evolved into something more: a complete overhaul of how the school managed aircraft, instructors, training records, billing, and operational data.

A Flight School Operating System that Supports Scale

Ignite made the switch to Flight Schedule Pro in 2018. What began as a fix for scheduling instability became the foundation for long-term expansion.

“We needed a system that could do more than schedule flights. We needed one that could scale with us. Flight Schedule Pro gave us both,” says Hartwell.

Since implementation, Ignite has launched a full-time pilot academy, introduced structured in-person ground school cohorts, brought maintenance operations in-house, and used Flight Schedule Pro to power it all with a lean, cross-functional team.

6 Ways Flight Schedule Pro Helps Ignite Train Better, Scale Smarter, and Stay Lean

1. Reliable Scheduling Unlocks Growth The moment Ignite dropped their old system, they gained more than uptime. Flight Schedule Pro’s scheduling features allow them to assign aircraft by group, auto-notify customers, and seamlessly manage maintenance events. These capabilities are essential for a growing fleet and a fast-paced academy model.

2. Group Scheduling Powers Ground School at Scale Ignite uses Flight Schedule Pro’s group functionality to manage ground school sessions efficiently. “It saves a massive amount of admin time,” says Hartwell. “And it keeps our learning environment structured without becoming rigid.”

3. Leaner Ops, Smart Automation Ignite uses automation to its full advantage. Processing fees apply automatically. Dispatch rules are triggered by uploaded documents. Complex tax requirements are built into the billing logic. The result? Fewer manual tasks and less oversight required from leadership, without sacrificing accuracy.

4. Digital Training Records Like many schools, Ignite trains under a non-linear syllabus. Progress doesn’t always follow a straight path due to weather, aircraft availability, or instructor schedules. Flight Schedule Pro’s Training Hub offers a solution. Once FAA approval is granted, Ignite plans to use it for centralized, audit-ready recordkeeping. That means better tracking, fewer delays, and a shared view of student progress across the team.

5. Operational Data Drives Real Decisions From flight time averages to total dollars spent per student, Ignite now has the data to steer its business. Flight Schedule Pro’s reporting tools feed directly into quarterly KPIs and strategic planning, empowering instructors, staff, and leadership to make more informed calls.

6. Flexibility Enables Independence With Flight Schedule Pro handling the core workflows, Ignite has gained the confidence to take more operations in-house, including aircraft maintenance. This shift has boosted scheduling flexibility, increased aircraft availability, and reduced long-term reliance on outside vendors.

Stability That Freed Up the Team

Switched from crashing legacy software to a scalable, stable operating system.

Academy-Ready in Record Time

Launched pilot academy and structured ground school with Flight Schedule Pro’s group scheduling.

Scheduling →

Admin Work? Down to a Minimum

Reduced admin hours and error rates with automated billing, document-based dispatch, and tax logic.

Automated Billing →

Maintenance, Managed Internally

Enabled in-house maintenance and operational independence.

Maintenance →

Data That Drives Decisions

Gained detailed reporting to support program performance and financial oversight.

Reporting →

On Course for Digital Compliance

Actively working toward FAA electronic recordkeeping approval with Flight Schedule Pro’s Training Hub.

Training →

Flight Schedule Pro isn’t just software. It’s a core part of how we operate as a pilot academy. It brings order, clarity, and confidence to every part of our business.