Vertical Vision Flight Academy Partners with Exec 1 Aviation to Launch Pilot Pipeline Program
Vertical Vision Flight Academy announces a new aviation career pipeline program in partnership with Exec 1 Aviation, giving student pilots in Des Moines a direct path to a professional First Officer career in charter aviation
For aspiring pilots, the journey from student to professional cockpit has never been more direct. Vertical Vision Flight Academy, based at Des Moines International Airport (KDSM) in Iowa, has officially partnered with Exec 1 Aviation to launch a structured pilot pipeline program connecting flight training graduates with real career opportunities in charter aviation.
What Is the Vertical Vision and Exec 1 Aviation Pilot Pipeline Program?
The Vertical Vision and Exec 1 Aviation Pipeline Program is a career placement pathway designed to take student pilots from their first flight lesson all the way to a First Officer seat with a professional charter operator. Students who complete their flight training at Vertical Vision Flight Academy from Private Pilot Certificate through Commercial Multi-Engine rating become eligible to apply for the program.
Once accepted, candidates are placed into a qualified hiring pool for First Officer openings at Exec 1 Aviation. The program guarantees a formal interview for open First Officer positions once the candidate meets Exec 1's minimum flight hour requirements. This removes one of the most frustrating barriers new commercial pilots face: getting a foot in the door.
Why This Pipeline Program Matters for Aspiring Pilots
The aviation industry is facing a well-documented pilot shortage. Regional and charter operators are actively seeking qualified First Officers. Programs like this one are critical to closing the gap between flight school graduation and a paying aviation career.
For Vertical Vision students, this partnership means:
A clear, structured career pathway from day one of training
A guaranteed interview at a professional charter operation upon meeting the hour requirements
The opportunity to build hours and experience at the same flight school before transitioning to a career cockpit
Access to First Officer positions with a growing national charter operator
About Exec 1 Aviation
Exec 1 Aviation was founded on the premise that private jet travel can be better. Based out of Ankeny, Iowa, Exec 1 operates as an FAA-certificated Part 135 air carrier offering on-demand charter, a JetCard membership program, and FBO services.
At the core of everything Exec 1 does is a deep commitment to safety. This value aligns directly with the culture we build into every student at Vertical Vision Flight Academy. From a student's very first lesson at KDSM to their first leg in a professional cockpit, safety isn't a checklist; it's a mindset.
Exec 1 places the safety of their customers and crews above all else, and that shared philosophy is a big reason this partnership makes sense. When Vertical Vision graduates step into Exec 1's operation, they're already speaking the same language.
With a fleet of Beechcraft Hawkers and Bombardier Learjets and operations spanning the Midwest, East Coast, and West Coast, Exec 1 serves both business and leisure travelers nationwide. Their Flight Operations and Customer Experience Teams work to ensure every trip, whether a business flight or a vacation, meets the personal requirements of each client. As their charter operations continue to grow, so does their need for skilled, safety-minded flight crews, making this pipeline partnership a natural fit.
Meet the First Pipeline Graduates: Bailey Cohara & Meredith Schyvinck
We are proud to recognize the first two graduates of the Vertical Vision and Exec 1 Aviation Pipeline Program: Bailey Cohara and Meredith Schyvinck.
Both Bailey and Meredith built their flight hours right here at Vertical Vision Flight Academy, serving as Certified Flight Instructors (CFIs) and demonstrating outstanding professionalism, high training standards, and exceptional first-time checkride pass rates for their students. Their dedication to safety and excellence is exactly what this program is designed to recognize and reward, and exactly the standard Exec 1 Aviation expects from its crews.
Bailey and Meredith have now been hired as First Officers at Exec 1 Aviation, flying Beechcraft Hawkers as part of Exec 1's growing charter fleet. We are incredibly proud of both pilots and excited to watch their careers take flight.
Start Your Aviation Career at Vertical Vision Flight Academy
If you're a student pilot or considering starting flight training in Des Moines, Iowa. Vertical Vision Flight Academy offers a full range of programs from Private Pilot through CFI, CFII, and Multi-Engine Instructor ratings. With partnerships like the Exec 1 Aviation Pipeline Program, your path from the pattern at KDSM to a professional flight deck is more attainable than ever.
Our programs are built around real career outcomes, not just checkride preparation. Whether you're flying for the first time or working toward your ATP minimums, Vertical Vision is where Des Moines pilots launch careers.