Private Equity Backs Airline Pilot Academy Expansion

Skyborne, an airline pilot training academy, has secured an investment from Excolere Equity Partners, a Los Angeles-based private equity group. The investment will support capacity growth at Skyborne’s U.S. and UK training facilities. 

Founded in 2017, Skyborne trains commercial airline pilots in Vero Beach, Florida, U.S., and at Gloucestershire and Bournemouth Airports in the UK. The academy will continue to operate under the Skyborne brand, led by its existing management team, with no planned changes to day-to-day operations, airline partnerships or student programs.

Tony Miller, Managing Partner of Excolere Equity Partners, says: “We are excited to support Skyborne’s next chapter of growth as it develops exceptional pilots, expands career opportunities for aspiring aviators, and helps strengthen the future of aviation.”

Skyborne’s airline partners include IndiGo, easyJet and Ryanair, and the academy reports that 95% of its graduates are in airline employment. In the UK, it offers fully funded places through British Airways’ Speedbird Pilot Academy and the Jet2FlightPath. In the U.S., it offers funding options through Sallie Mae and Stratus Financial and accepts the 529 College Savings Plan.