Edward Bagden

Ed Bagden is the Director of Operations at LIFT Academy, a Republic Airways company and one of the largest ab initio flight training programs in the United States. Headquartered in Indianapolis, LIFT continues to set the benchmark for mission-specific pilot training, preparing students to seamlessly transition into airline careers.

Before joining LIFT, Ed served as a captain at Republic Airways and held operational leadership roles, contributing to initiatives in flight operations, safety, and regulatory compliance. In 2018, he was selected to join the founding team responsible for building LIFT Academy from the ground up, a role that required both strategic vision and hands-on execution. From selecting the training fleet and designing facilities to developing curricula and recruiting early cohorts, Ed helped shape the foundation of what would become a national leader in airline-focused flight training.

Today, Ed provides executive leadership for LIFT Academy’s operations across multiple campuses, overseeing training delivery, centralized scheduling, instructional performance, safety systems, and student progression. As the senior on-site leader, he drives both daily execution and long-term strategy, ensuring alignment with Republic Airways’ pilot development objectives. Under his leadership, LIFT has expanded rapidly, adding new training locations in Myrtle Beach, SC; Galveston, TX; and Tuskegee, AL.

Ed brings a strategic mindset informed by LIFT Academy’s evolution from a high-intensity startup to a mature, multi-campus training organization. Drawing on lessons learned during LIFT Academy's formative years, he now focuses on operational discipline, continuous improvement, and scalable systems. He has championed the integration of data analytics, immersive technologies like virtual reality, and centralized scheduling models that have enhanced efficiency, transparency, and training outcomes across the organization.

A respected voice in the aviation community, Ed frequently collaborates with industry leaders and regulators, contributes to national dialogue on training modernization, and has appeared in major media outlets and conferences to advocate for scalable, safety-driven pilot development.

He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Aeronautics from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and is an Airline Transport Pilot with type ratings on the Embraer 170/175, Dash 8 Q400, and Saab 340.

Connect with Ed Bagden via LinkedIn or reach out via email at ebagden@gmail.com.