Helping flight schools go digital

Brothers Doug and Jack Abramowitz founded the startup Flycore to modernize the flight training experience with customer relationship management software and website services tailored to flight schools. The company focuses on helping schools build a better website experience, streamlining intake with digital forms, and leveraging technology to reengage customers.

Doug learned to fly as a teenager, worked as an instructor and manager at a flight training center, and still flies professionally. He said his time in the flight training environment convinced him there is an opportunity to modernize the experience at a lot of general aviation businesses. Jack, now Flycore CEO, had experience with startups and as an investor in early-stage technology, so the two teamed up to create Flycore. The company started in fall 2023 and is now working with about a dozen schools across the country, Jack said.

At the center of Flycore’s business is customer relationship management software structured for flight schools, with a simplified user interface that is tailored to the needs of small aviation businesses. The company soon saw an opportunity to assist schools with their websites, as well.

“We run into a ton of flight schools that field phone calls nonstop because of basic questions that people are asking,” Doug said. “That is great, and it's great they're having those conversations, but some of those things could be found on a website.” Flycore helps schools clearly present that information online. Once a potential student makes it to the school, Flycore software lets the school interact with the student via text messaging, which means customers don’t need to go between email and paper forms or remember a login to provide information to the school. The software also helps schools communicate with customers and create reengagement campaigns.

Doug says modernizing the flight training experience helps aviation reach a wider audience of people interested in flying.

“I really believe that there is that interest out there,” he said. “I think people have just always been fascinated with things that fly. And I think that there's a real opportunity for general aviation to move into a bit more of a modern era and start communicating with more of those people.” He added that for those who are interested in being a pilot, flight schools are “very much the gatekeepers of GA. We're helping them transition into kind of the modern age and hopefully have a chance of pulling more of this unrealized interest into actually flying.”