Sling Pilot Academy opens location at historic Santa Monica Airport

Sling Pilot Academy announced the grand opening of its newest location at Santa Monica Airport, further advancing its mission to modernize and decarbonize flight training. Aviation industry leaders, sustainability advocates, and local officials gathered on Thursday to celebrate the occasion and introduce the innovative "Whisper Sling" aircraft — designed with community compatibility and environmental responsibility in mind.

Matt Liknaitzky, Sling Pilot Academy Co-CEO commented: "Today's event represents not just a celebration of a new facility, but a new future for sustainable aviation training that provides a pathway for local area residents to a lucrative career in aviation as an airline pilot. We're excited to inspire the next generation of aviators while being deeply mindful of the communities we serve." The expansion into Santa Monica adds to Sling Pilot Academy's existing presence across Southern California, with thriving campuses at Torrance Airport, Gillespie Field in San Diego, Long Beach Airport, and now Santa Monica.

The Santa Monica campus represents a major step forward in creating the next generation of pilots while addressing key community concerns: quieter operations, unleaded aviation fuel, and dramatically reduced carbon emissions. Each Whisper Sling flight avoids around 100 pounds of CO₂ emissions per flight hour compared to traditional flight training aircraft.

Sling Pilot Academy co-CEOs welcomed guests and presented the Whisper Sling, followed by a series of keynote speeches from distinguished aviation industry figures.

Distinguished Speakers Included:

• Erin Youngs, Pilot Pathways Manager, SkyWest Airlines
   
• Scott Burgess, President, Eco-Aviation Foundation
   
• Miles Rogers, Global Marketing, Archer Aviation
   
• Phil Derner, Western Region Director, National Business Aviation Association (NBAA)
   
• Ben Marcus, Founder, UP Partners