Archives: Market Intelligences

Flight Training Financing Provider Stratus Financial Announces 2024 Appointment for Chief Investment Officer

Stratus Financial LLC, a super-prime consumer finance platform dedicated to providing student loans for aspiring pilots, is thrilled to announce the promotion of Alan Rios to Chief Investment Officer. This advancement follows Chris Ragland’s transition to a Principal role within the firm—a strategic evolution that had been in the planning and reflects his ongoing commitment to supporting the firm’s growth from an advisory capacity.
 
“Alan’s contributions have been critical in evolving Stratus Financial’s approach to attracting institutional capital, and I am confident that his leadership will drive the firm toward new heights of success,” said Ragland.

With a background in institutional and private banking and a strong track record from his previous role within Citigroup’s North America Family Office Group, Alan Rios has been instrumental in building new institutional banking relationships, managing investor relations and elevating the firm’s fund offering to appeal to larger, sophisticated investors. His promotion to Chief Investment Officer reflects his impressive performance and the strategic impact he has made in a short period.

“I am excited about welcoming Alan in his promotion to CIO for Stratus Financial,” said Anthony Geraci, CEO of Stratus financial. “His commitment to excellence and working with our capital markets partners to achieve united goals will continue to propel Stratus forward and continue to make it the #1 choice for students aspiring to become airline pilots.”

“I am honored to step into the role of Chief Investment Officer at Stratus Financial. Chris’ support through this transition has been instrumental, and I am excited to continue building on the solid foundation he has established,” said Rios. “We are on the cusp of significant growth, and I look forward to guiding our firm through this exciting phase.”

Stratus Financial is set to experience tremendous growth in its retail investment and capital markets efforts with Alan Rios leading the charge as Chief Investment Officer. The firm remains committed to leveraging its expertise and strategic capabilities to attract and manage institutional capital, furthering its mission to support the aviation education sector.
Source: Stratus Financial
Photo Credit: Stratus Financial

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Flight Training Financing Provider Stratus Financial Announces New Up to $50 Million Forward Flow Facility

Stratus Financial LLC, a trusted consumer finance platform committed to providing student loans to aspiring student pilots at all levels of experience, announced a forward flow facility of up to $50 million from funds managed by Monachil Capital Partners LP (“Monachil”). Stratus intends to use the new financing to originate new student loans, further diversifying its existing base of capital providers. The new financing partnership includes an initial sale of Stratus’ existing portfolio of loans and will primarily support the origination of new loans.

“This level of partnership with Monachil Capital Partners represents a significant milestone in the evolution of our capital markets strategies. This partnership not only underscores the growing sophistication of our approach but also reflects our commitment to fostering institutional relationships that drive our mission forward,” said Alan Rios, Chief Investment Officer at Stratus.

“Stratus has built an impressive origination and servicing platform serving a highly-attractive niche in consumer lending. Stratus has a unique business model and generates attractive assets in an underserved market, providing much-needed solutions to consumers,” said Jacob Zeldin, Portfolio Manager at Monachil. “We believe strongly in the Company’s mission and look forward to supporting its growth plans with this new partnership.”

“This new financing agreement with Monachil Capital Partners aligns Stratus with a capital partner that shares our vision and enhances our ability to deliver impactful solutions to the aviation education market,” said Anthony Geraci, CEO and Co-Founder of Stratus. “Monachil has proven to be a valuable partner, demonstrating a deep understanding of our business and values. We are excited to build this partnership and continuing to provide our borrowers with a seamless and exceptional lending experience.”

“This new round of funding will empower more aspiring aviators to earn their wings in 2024, solidifying Stratus’ position as the premier provider of flight training financing,” said Brandon Martini, COO and Co-Founder of Stratus. The Monachil partnership supports future growth at Stratus, which since inception, has originated more than 600 loans and is currently working with more than 260 FAA-chartered flight schools throughout North America. Stratus has also been recognized for its particular focus on super-prime borrowers giving the Company an edge over other consumer finance strategies. Edgar Matthews & Co. LLC served as exclusive financial advisor to Stratus on the transaction.

About Monachil
Founded in 2019, Monachil Capital Partners LP is a Greenwich, CT based private credit manager focused on opportunistic investing. The firm specializes in providing bespoke funding to global lending and tech-enabled platforms that operate in the alternative lending space and are participating in the disintermediation of the traditional banking complex. Monachil leverages proprietary technology to create an interface with borrowers’ platforms, enabling the consumption of real-time data and allowing for the active management of inherent risks.

About Stratus Financial
Founded in 2020 by FAA Certified Flight and Ground Instructors who are passionate about helping others achieve their dreams of flight, Stratus is a consumer finance platform providing flexible and innovative educational funding solutions to students pursuing aviation education and training. Stratus is fully geared to marry Student Success and School Success with several programs designed for Flight Schools, by Flight Schools and is on a mission to help aspiring pilots achieve their flight dreams as swiftly as possible through hassle-free flight school loan programs.

Source: Stratus Financial
Photo Credit: Stratus Financial

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Flight Simulator Manufacturer Flightdeck Solutions Celebrated Maiden Flight of A320 FTD at US-based Community College

Ontario, Canada – Canadian flight training device manufacturer Flightdeck Solutions Ltd. (FDS) has shared that its Airbus A320 manufactured device at Ohio based Sinclair Community College has done its maiden flight. Former pilots and Sinclair Community College professors Michael Wright and Greg Gorniak demonstrated the new simulator’s features on its first flight, showing how it will benefit pilot training.

Source: Flightdeck Solutions
Photo Credit: Flightdeck Solutions (shown as meta image)

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Air Line Pilot Association Applauds FAA’s Final Recommendations to Uphold Rigorous Pilot Training Standards

Capt. Jason Ambrosi, president of the Air Line Pilots Association, Int’l (ALPA), issued the following statement after the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) Air Carrier Training Aviation Rulemaking Committee (ACT ARC) issued final recommendations on pilot-training pathways.

“ALPA is pleased that today’s recommendations keep our nation’s pilot training, qualification, and experience requirements strong and in place. As an active participant of the ARC, ALPA has long been supportive of maintaining the highest standards for the piloting profession, while exploring ways to open the doors of opportunity and make the pathway to getting there more affordable. However, we should never shortcut or undermine the valuable training and experience that are necessary to develop the judgment required to be a safe and qualified professional pilot.”

“Air travel is the safest mode of transportation in the world, and that is due in no small measure to the rigorous training and experience required of all airline pilots. Since passage of the Airline Safety and FAA Extension Act in 2010, which established the global gold standard for aviation safety, the United States has seen a 99.8 percent reduction in airline passenger fatalities. Since that time, ALPA has been steadfast in insisting that nothing is done to jeopardize it.”

“Unfortunately, despite this unparalleled safety record, some groups continue to try and undermine aviation safety by putting profit first. It remains incumbent upon all who are committed to safe skies to ensure that these special interests do not unduly influence any regulatory changes, whether it is regarding pilot training or reducing pilots on the flightdeck.”

“Airline pilots are trained for life to keep flying safe, and ALPA looks forward to continuing our collaboration with the FAA and industry stakeholders to expand opportunities for those who aspire to fly – and ensure that the safest place on earth will always be in the air.”

Source: ALPA

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