Community Aviation
Training for Life
The AI-native intelligence platform for general aviation where pilots learn, instructors teach, and the industry validates mastery.
Hey there, Bobby
I want to tour some lighthouses along the coast of Maine, near KAUG
Go-NoGo™
Bobby is a young private pilot with an instrument rating and 250 hours of total flight time. He lives in Augusta, Maine, and flies out of KAUG where he learned to fly at the University of Maine at Augusta. He regularly rents an SR20 from the local flight school and he wants to take a friend for a lighthouse tour along the coast sometime soon in the Cirrus. He is using Go-NoGo™ to help plan his flight.
CHAPTER ONE: VISION
Building the Future of Flight Training
Community Aviation transforms flight training through AI-powered intelligence built on first principles, optimal learning methodology, and a global network of expert instructors—delivering mastery, not minimums.
AI makes personalized flight training scalable. Every pilot learns differently—our intelligent platform creates self-directed pathways that adapt to individual learning styles, schedules, and goals. Agentic systems work behind the scenes, handling scheduling, reminders, assessments, and integration across a pilot's lifecycle. From student pilot to ATP, AI helps orchestrate each pilot's unique journey through principle-based mastery while connecting them to expert guidance exactly when they need it—transforming today's one-size-fits-all flight training into a truly personal, continuous, adaptive and fun experience.
Chapter Two: Problem
Flight Training is Fundamentally Broken
The Training Crisis
70-80%
student pilot dropout rate
50%
first-time checkride failure rate
#1
GA pilot killer = loss of control
1-in-4
believe the rudder turns airplane
Root Cause: "Teaching to the Test, Not for Mastery"
- •Flight training abandoned the FAA's mandate for correlation-level learning
- •No consistent syllabi or instructor continuity
- •Fatal knowledge gaps: 1-in-4 pilots believe rudder turns airplane
- •91% of instructional stall/spin fatalities have CFIs aboard
- •Incompetent instructors are creating incompetent pilots
The Tools Problem
- •Fragmented data across disconnected apps
- •Information overload without intelligence
- •No AI-powered predictive analysis
- •No connection between planning and proficiency
- •Every flight plan could teach—but doesn't
Most Accidents Result From:
Poor decision-making
(flying beyond capability)
Lack of proficiency
(inadequate training)
Environmental factors
(that punish poor decisions)
The Opportunity: Fix training → Reduce accidents → Save lives → Capture $23B AI aviation market
Chapter Three: MARKET
Market Opportunity
848K
total airman certificates
503K
certificated pilots
345K
active student pilots
138K
certified flight instructors
200K
aircraft owners
~6,500
flight training schools
20% pilot growth 2020-2024 • 5.2% in 2024 • 16% drone growth
The Hidden Cost
- •$1.6-4.6B annual cost of GA accidents
- •70-80% student dropout rate
- •50% checkride failure rate
- •Loss of control #1 killer
U.S. TAM: $1.26B
vs. ForeFlight ~$75M, King ~$52M, Sporty's ~$39M
Why U.S. First
- •Largest GA market
- •Single regulatory framework (FAA)
- •Established partnerships: Avemco, UMaine, 3 training centers
- •8+ years operational experience
- •Phase 2: AU/NZ, UK, DE, FR, BR
The Generational Shift
- •Boomers (12%): Retiring in 4 years
- •Gen X (43%): Retiring in 5-15 years
- •Millennials (37%): Retiring in 16-29 years
- •Gen Z (6%): Expects Duolingo, not ground school
345K student pilots today won't tolerate traditional training
Lifecycle Approach
Traditional:
Train for cert, lose them
Community Aviation:
Capture at entry, keep for life
Student segment ($259M) is 4x larger than estimated
Strategic Exit
Thoma Bravo acquired ForeFlight at 8.2x revenue vs. 4.5x industry avg
Chapter Four: Solution
Training for Life
From first lesson through aircraft ownership - one platform that evolves with every pilot
Free
- 3-5 Go-NoGo queries/month
- Read-only course previews
Pilot
or $289/year
Complete Aviation Intelligence Platform
InstructorPro
Pilot + $19/mo
- AI lesson plan generator
- Student management tools
Traditional aviation training treats pilots like products to be certified and forgotten. We treat pilots like professionals who deserve continuous growth.
The Pilot tier isn't a subscription to static content - it's access to an evolving intelligence platform that:
Learns your flying patterns and adapts to your proficiency level
Integrates planning with learning - every Go-NoGo briefing teaches correlation-level understanding
Provides the complete 9 Principles framework that applies to ALL flying, not just specific certificates
Connects you to expert instructors and a community of pilots at your skill level
Builds a personal repository of your decisions, patterns, and growth over time
No prescribed path. No one-size-fits-all progression. Whether you're building toward the airlines, mastering backcountry flying, teaching the next generation, exploring in your own aircraft, or specializing in aerobatics - the platform adapts to YOUR aviation goals.
Sarah flies a Cub to Idaho lakes. Mike is building airline hours. James teaches aerobatics. Linda owns a Bonanza. Each gets personalized intelligence for their path.
This isn't training to the test. This is optimal learning for a lifetime of safe, confident flying.
of pilots say Learn-Do-Fly changed how they think about flyingUniversity of Central Washington validation survey of attendees at the Optimal Learning clinic - EAA AirVenture 2024.
Chapter Five: AI
Why AI is the Unlock
The Inverted Learning Model - Our Secret Weapon
Traditional Model (Why Everyone Else Will Fail)
- •Build separate course for each certificate/rating
- •$10K × 50+ certificates = $500K+ development
- •Each tied directly to FAA ACS tasks
- •Result: Rote memorization of isolated tasks
Community Aviation Model (AI supporting scale)
- •Build ONE curriculum based on 9 Principles
- •Infinite applications of courseware
- •AI dynamically maps principles to any ACS standard
- •Result: Correlation-level learning of transferable principles and skills
Why This Changes Everything:
10x Scalable
Build once, apply infinitely
AI-Required
Dynamic mapping impossible without AI
20 Years IP
9 Principles framework
Self-Improving
AI learns better mappings
Foundational
Correlation, not rote memory
Personalized Learning at Scale
Adapt to learning styles, match ideal CFIs, predict struggles, generate custom lesson plans. Every pilot receives a unique training path optimized for their goals and proficiency level.
Distributed Expert Intelligence
Select, qualified SME's in key aviation categories (e.g., weather, instruments, emergencies, avionics, health, etc.) - AI curates and delivers knowledge on-demand
Predictive Intelligence
Predict wind shear before it appears, turbulence from ADS-B patterns, risk scoring based on proficiency decay. Real-time analysis identifies emerging hazards before they become threats.
Operational Automation
Auto-schedule CFI appointments, generate post-flight debriefs, track proficiency automatically. Free pilots and instructors to focus on flying, not administrative overhead.
The Competitive Moat: What Generic AI Cannot Do
20+ Years IP
9 Principles framework
8+ Years Validated
Learn-Do-Fly™ methodology
Proprietary Knowledge
Avemco intel, airport "gouge"
Expert Network
Vetted SMEs worldwide
Inverted Model
Requires AI + principles
Competitors can add AI features. They cannot replicate our methodology.
CHAPTER SIX: VALIDATION
Market Validation & Strategic Partnerships
Real-world proof through insurance partnerships, academic validation, and operational deployment across three regional flight training centers.
Insurance validation: $700M+ annual loss-prevention market opportunity through data-driven risk intelligence.
Academic validation: Scalable institutional model for correlation-level pilot development through Part 141 integration.
Chapter Seven: Model
Multiple Revenue Streams with AI-Native Margins
AI-Native Operating Model
Traditional SaaS at $30M scale:
- •25-30 employees
- •Operating margin: 10-15%
- •Heavy manual operations
Community Aviation at $30M scale:
- •15-20 employees (40% smaller)
- •Operating margin: 65-70%
- •AI handles support, onboarding, sales qualification
We keep 4-5x more of every revenue dollar than traditional SaaS
Chapter Eight: Competition
Differentiated Approach with Defensible Moats
ForeFlight
Flight planning
$125-300/yr
Planning only, no training
Garmin Pilot
Flight planning
$100-250/yr
Database only
Sporty's
Courses only
$60/mo
Test prep focus
King Schools
Ground school
$279-599
Rote learning
PilotWorkshops
Adv. scenarios
$14/mo
Limited scope
Our Integrated Approach:
Six Defensible Moats
Proprietary Curriculum IP
20+ years developing 9 Principles framework plus 8 years validating Learn-Do-Fly™ methodology. 89% of pilots say it changed their learning approach. Rich Stowell's 35,000+ spins and decades of correlation-level teaching expertise embedded in curriculum. This intellectual property represents unique aviation pedagogy. Cannot be replicated quickly by competitors.
AI-Native Technical Advantage
Built for intelligence from day one, not retrofitted into legacy systems. Incumbents face technical debt and organizational resistance to AI integration. Compounding data moat from personal minimums, aircraft profiles, and decision patterns strengthens personalization over time. Every interaction makes the platform smarter for each individual pilot. Clean architecture enables rapid feature deployment.
First-Mover + Network Effects
3-12 month head start before incumbents add AI features. Development velocity allows us to ship in weeks, maintaining our lead and expanding the gap. Network effects compound as expert community grows larger. More pilots equals better intelligence which attracts more new pilots. Early market position becomes increasingly difficult to displace.
Expert Network Marketplace
World-class instructors plus AI amplification creates unprecedented scale. Expertise scales without geographic limits or time zone constraints. Human expertise continuously improves AI intelligence over time through feedback loops. This combination delivers correlation-level teaching at a fraction of traditional costs. Quality instructors become exponentially more valuable.
Strategic Partnerships
Insurance distribution delivers near-zero customer acquisition costs through Avemco and Northwestern. Mindstar Aviation VR integration provides exclusive simulation capabilities. AOPA platform access reaches 400,000+ pilot members directly. Academic validation through University of Maine strengthens credibility. Partnerships take years to establish and cannot be easily replicated.
Lifecycle Platform Lock-in
Pilots use planning tools for specific flights, but use our platform throughout entire 40+ year careers. Higher switching costs create deeper relationships and continuous engagement over decades. Personal minimums, aircraft profiles, training history, and decision patterns accumulate irreplaceable value. This lifecycle approach generates dramatically higher lifetime value per pilot. Long-term retention drives sustainable growth.
The Fundamental Difference
We're not competing feature-by-feature with flight planning apps. We're building a comprehensive intelligence platform for training throughout a pilot's entire lifecycle—personalized, adaptive, and designed for training for life.
Chapter Nine: Team
Proven Aviation Experts + Deep Technical Partnership
Leadership
Billy Winburn
Founder & CEO
55% ownership
- • 8+ years leadership at EAA Pilot Proficiency Center
- • Created & validated Learn-Do-Fly™ methodology
- • Led Optimal Learning experiments at EAA AirVenture
- • University research partnership
- • Proven track record scaling aviation training
Only person combining deep aviation expertise, validated methodology, and startup execution
Rich Stowell
9 Principles Creator & CLO
15% ownership
- • 20+ years developing 9 Principles framework
- • 10,400 flight hours, 35,000 spins, 26,000 landings
- • Published author: The Nine Principles of Light Airplane Flying
- • Master CFI, Recognized SME on Loss of Control
- • National FAA Safety Team Representative
Created the IP that competitors cannot replicate
Stasi Poulos
Technical Partner & Investor
30% ownership (Mindstar Aviation)
- • Powers Redbird Flight Simulation's avionics nationwide
- • 10-year proven track record in aviation technology
- • Deep expertise in simulation and avionics systems
- • Strategic investment partner
- • Provides "Do" component (VR/simulation) of Learn-Do-Fly™
Technical expertise + proven aviation technology execution + investment
Team
Advisory Network
Why This Team Wins
What We've Proven
Chapter Ten: Ask
$250K-$500K Pre-Seed - Path to Market Leadership
Unsecured Convertible Promissory Note | Terms shared on request
Baseline ($250K)
Achieves Series A Milestones
Expanded ($500K)
Captures Competitive Window Faster
Why Invest Now
Perfect Timing
6-12mo window before incumbents add AI
Massive Market
$23B AI aviation, 674K pilots needed
Defensible Moats
20yr IP, validated methodology
Proven Traction
$50K Avemco, 90% complete, 2nd insurer engaged
$250K-$500K establishes category leadership while the pathway is open.
Billy Winburn, Founder & CEO
Billy@CommunityAviation.comBecause aviators aren't made through certification.
They're created with mastery, intelligence, and informed decision-making.
And now, for the first time, AI tools make this possible at scale.
Strategic interest potential: ForeFlight, Garmin, Textron/Cessna, insurance platforms
What's the stall speed of the SR20?
Your SR20 doesn't have a set stall speed—it has a stall curve that represents the aerodynamic limit of your wing across all flight conditions. The stall speeds listed in your POH (like 60 KCAS clean, 54 KCAS approach flaps) are just noteworthy points on that curve at 1G flight. A stall occurs whenever airspeed and G-load trends converge on your airplane's stall curve, which means you can stall at any airspeed if you pull enough G's—for example, at 2G your stall speed increases by 1.4x (√2), making it about 85 KCAS clean.
Follow up
Are there some good sim exercises that can help me prepare for my lighthouse tour?
Try the "Turning Over Parma" sim mission—you'll start at 5,500 feet over Parma, Idaho (5ØS) in calm conditions, perfect for practicing slow flight, steep turns, and accelerated stalls where you can safely explore your stall curve at different G-loads. The exercise includes Dutch rolls for coordination practice, undulating turns to feel how elevator affects your turn while holding constant bank, and acro-style turns that separate banking from turning to build precise control awareness. This 30-minute mission lets you practice sight picture, pitch and power coordination, and energy management in a risk-free environment before applying these skills in the airplane.
Follow up
Generate a summary pdf for my lighthouse tour that I can print out for my kneeboard
I've generated your flight brief for N643MF integrating everything from your planning session—current weather at Augusta and Rockland, active runway 17, all coastal frequencies, and your three alternate airports. Your preflight checklist includes weight & balance, Flysto activation, and passenger photo briefing.
Follow up
Welcome back, Bobby!
Your dashboard shows your current aircraft status, personal minimums, recent training progress, and badge achievements.
Ready to plan your next flight?
Follow Up
PILOT
Bobby June
Home: KHEF Manassas Regional Airport
Class III Medical: 07/2024
Avemco Renter's Insurance: through 01/2026
Last Flight Review: March 2, 2025
MY AIRCRAFT
Cirrus SR20 (N643MF)
Annual: ✓ Current (exp. 10/2026)
Last Flight: Nov 8, 2025
Total Time: 847.3 hrs
100-hr Inspection: 76.6 hrs remaining
Oil Change Due: 12 hrs
PERSONAL MINIMUMS
Ceilings & Visibility: > 2,000 feet AGL and 5 SM
Crosswind: No more than 15 knots.
Fuel Reserve: Minimum 1 hour beyond destination.
Night Flight: Avoid unfamiliar/mountainous terrain; more conservative ceiling/visibility.
Currency: At least 1 hour recent actual/simulated instrument time and recent IPC if not current.
RECENT TRAINING
Intro to Energy Management
Turning Over Parma
Intro to Stalled Flight 3.0
Reading
"Stall/Spin Awareness" by Rich Stowell
"Weather Flying" by Robert N Buck
BADGES EARNED (2025)
+ 5 more achievements...
FLIGHT STATS
This Month: 6 flights, 8.2 hrs
Airports: 12 visited
Network: 3 debriefs shared
What were common challenges pilots faced on this lighthouse tour?
Twelve (12) local pilots strongly recommend delegating the photography to the passenger and focusing on flying the airplane. Timing proved critical in the coastal area: morning flights (7-9 AM) provided optimal lighting with the sun behind you heading south, while afternoon returns created challenging glare conditions that degraded photo quality and forward visibility.
Follow up
