Reducing Friction in Flight Training: Skyfarer on EAA Radio with NAFI, Live from AirVenture Oshkosh
Todd Davis, cofounder of Skyfarer Academy, joined Paul Preidecker, President of the National Association of Flight Instructors (NAFI), on EAA Radio to discuss how the platform connects student pilots with flight instructors and flight schools, aiming to remove the friction that often slows or complicates training progress. The conversation covered Todd’s personal flight training journey, the platform’s features, its role in mentoring, and the broader needs of the aviation training ecosystem.
Updated Aug 8, 2025
During this year’s EAA AirVenture Oshkosh, our cofounder Todd Davis had the privilege of joining Paul Preidecker, President of the National Association of Flight Instructors (NAFI), for a live interview on EAA Radio.
The conversation dove into the challenges student pilots face, and how Skyfarer Academy is making it easier to find the right instructor or training options.
You can now listen to the full interview here: https://www.eaa.org/airventure/eaa-airventure-news-and-multimedia/eaa-radio/eaa-radio-archives/2025
Where It All Began
Todd’s journey in aviation started at just 14 years old. Like many new students, he began at a Part 141 flight school — only to find himself flying with a different instructor nearly every lesson. While 141 schools offer valuable structure, the lack of continuity made progress more challenging.
At his parents’ suggestion, Todd switched to a Part 61 independent instructor and completed his training with a single mentor. That consistent relationship not only accelerated his learning, but also planted the seed for what would eventually become Skyfarer Academy.
“Our mission is to connect students with the right instructor — whether from a Part 61 or Part 141 school — so they get the best fit for their goals.” — Todd Davis
What Skyfarer Academy Does
Skyfarer Academy is an aviation training marketplace designed to remove the guesswork from finding a flight instructor or school.
- Personalized Searching: Students can find instructors based on ratings, aircraft type, niche skills (like mountain flying or Alaska bush operations), and more.
- Online & In-Person Options: We started with live online training via Zoom or Google Meet and quickly expanded to in-person training to give pilots more choice.
- Detailed Instructor Profiles: Instructors can showcase their qualifications, aircraft experience, Gold Seal certifications, NAFI membership, and other credentials.
Our goal is simple: reduce the friction between “I want to fly” and “I’m learning with the right instructor for me.”
Helping Instructors Shine
Most flight instructors are passionate educators, not marketers. We give them the tools to succeed:
- Free profile creation
- A booking calendar and integrated chat system
- Guidance and examples for building strong, student-friendly profiles
- The ability to collect and display reviews for credibility
When instructors can focus on teaching instead of self-promotion, everyone benefits.
Tackling Aviation’s Training Challenges
Right now, many students still rely on word of mouth to find instructors. This process is often slow, hit-or-miss, and dependent on who you happen to know.
The aviation industry also faces churn — airlines hire from regionals, regionals from flight schools, and schools constantly replace instructors. This cycle can make it harder for students to find stable, experienced mentors.
Skyfarer Academy is addressing both issues by:
- Offering a centralized place to find and book instructors
- Bringing seasoned airline pilots back into training as mentors
- Enabling live online and in-person sessions for students curious about specific careers, aircraft, or training paths
Industry Insights Learned
From ongoing conversations with instructors and students on our platform, we’ve noticed several clear trends shaping the future of pilot training:
- Technology’s Impact: Training tools and resources have advanced dramatically — from high-fidelity simulators to online learning platforms — giving instructors and students more ways to connect and learn effectively.
- Changing Expectations: Many new flight instructors now anticipate moving quickly into airline roles. While ambition is valuable, the reality is that industry conditions can change overnight. Building resilience and long-term instructional skills remains essential.
- Opportunities Ahead: Skyfarer Academy is positioned to bridge gaps in today’s training environment — fostering better-prepared, better-supported instructors while giving students more choice, flexibility, and access to specialized expertise.
Why Mentorship Matters
For many pilots, mentorship can be as pivotal as flight hours in shaping their aviation journey. It was also one of the biggest gaps in Todd’s own training experience. While his CFI provided excellent instruction and guidance in the cockpit, opportunities to connect with airline pilots or industry leaders were rare. Those conversations — about career paths, industry changes, and lessons learned from years of flying — can be the difference between simply earning a certificate and truly preparing for a lifetime in aviation.
Beyond matching students with the right instructor, Skyfarer offers opportunities for meaningful mentorship. Students can connect with professionals who have walked the path they aspire to follow.
By making mentorship more accessible, Skyfarer helps ensure that knowledge, wisdom, and experience are passed forward — strengthening not only individual careers, but the safety and skill of the aviation community as a whole.
Looking Ahead
When asked what success looks like for Skyfarer Academy, Todd painted a picture:
- Seamlessly connecting students with training providers — both online and in-person
- Integrating all moving parts of training in one place
- Helping instructors focus on teaching, not marketing
- Expanding mentorship as a cornerstone of pilot development
As the industry evolves, so do the ways we connect. This year’s Oshkosh conversation was about more than technology — it was about people helping people learn to fly.
The discussion at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh underscored a timeless truth in aviation: mentorship, guidance, and the right training fit for student can set the course for a lifetime of confident flying.