In this week’s AFM Pilot Training Leadership Interview Series we speak with Brandon Martini, Co-CEO and Co-Founder of Stratus Financial. Late last year AFM reported that Stratus Financial, a leading provider of aviation-training financing solutions, had announced that its investment fund has reached $20 million in assets and has partnered with more than 375 flight schools since its inception in 2021.

The conversation covers:

• From pilot to entrepreneur: Brandon Martini shared his journey from earning his private pilot license to building and scaling a successful flight school operation, which ultimately led to the creation of Stratus Financial. His firsthand experience with the financial barriers faced by student pilots inspired him to develop a dedicated lending solution for flight training.
• Building Stratus Financial to fill a critical gap: Stratus Financial was founded to address the lack of accessible financing for aspiring pilots. Today, the company partners with hundreds of flight schools across North America and has injected nearly $100 million into the pilot training industry.
• Strong growth and investor confidence: Stratus recently, in October 2025, surpassed the $20 million funding milestone, delivering significant returns to investors, and continues to grow rapidly. Brandon emphasized that while capital raising is challenging, strong execution and a committed team have fueled sustained momentum.
• Industry outlook and pilot demand: Brandon remains highly bullish on the aviation industry, citing long-term pilot shortages driven by retirements and increasing global demand. He highlighted that pilot careers now offer exceptional compensation, work-life flexibility, and long-term stability compared to many other professions.
• Education, mindset, and community building: Beyond financing, Stratus focuses on improving pilot success through industry events like AeroSummit and Ascend Flight Training Summit, fostering collaboration and knowledge-sharing. Brandon stressed that resilience, communication skills, and perseverance are essential for students to succeed in training and in their aviation careers.

For more information:

• Brandon Martini’s Linkedin
• Stratus Financial Supplier Profile
• Stratus Financial Website

You can find all of the AFM.aero Pilot Training Industry Interview Episodes here.

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