In this episode of 4200%, Anthony speaks with Ed Bagden, Director of Operations at Lift Academy, a pioneering aviation training school under Republic Airways. Ed shares how his early days in a band, managing everything from marketing to tours, set the foundation for his entrepreneurial mindset. They examine the core of Lift Academy’s success, emphasizing perseverance, innovative training technologies, and streamlined processes that prepare students to transition smoothly from training to commercial flying. Ed also highlights essential strategies for scaling a business effectively, underlining the importance of standardized procedures and continuous improvement.
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(00:00:00) Ed Bagden's entrepreneurial beginnings with his band, Quickstep John
(00:01:41) Lessons in perseverance and advocacy from early music career
(00:02:49) Importance of perseverance and grit at Lift Academy
(00:03:45) Ed's path from pilot at Republic Airways to operational leadership
(00:04:47) Starting Lift Academy from the ground up
(00:05:22) Personal satisfaction from seeing graduates succeed
(00:06:35) Initial strategies for scaling Lift Academy's student base
(00:07:22) Lift's structured pathway preparing pilots specifically for Republic Airways
(00:09:25) Embracing VR and advanced simulators in pilot training
(00:11:20) Redefining flight training through modern technology integration
(00:12:18) Non-punitive safety reporting as part of Lift's training culture
(00:13:35) Continuous improvement and collaboration within the aviation industry
(00:14:15) Key considerations for scaling a business effectively
(00:16:19) How standardization impacts operational success
(00:17:11) Ed's definition of scaling with efficiency and growth
(00:18:58) Recommended resource: The Goal by Eliyahu Goldratt
(00:19:49) How to connect with Ed and Lift Academy
Links:
Anthony Geraci on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anthony-geraci
Ed Bagden on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ebagden
Lift Academy: https://flywithlift.com/
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