Brandon Martini, Aviation Entrepreneur: From Training Pilots to Funding Futures and Scaling Founders

In aviation, precision is everything. And for Brandon Martini—entrepreneur, aviator, and innovator—that principle extends far beyond the cockpit.

As a former flight school owner, co-founder of an aviation finance company, and operator behind multiple high-growth ventures, Brandon has dedicated his career to one mission:

Make aviation more accessible, scalable, and sustainable—for the people shaping its future.

From Tarmac to Training Ground: How Aviation Entrepreneur Brandon Martini Founded NextGen Flight Academy

Brandon’s journey started where many pilots begin: on the runway. But while most instructors focus solely on flying, Brandon was already thinking about how to build something bigger.

He launched NextGen Flight Academy in Riverside, California with a bold goal—to redefine what flight training could be. Not just a school, but a launchpad for future aviators.

Over the course of seven years, Brandon served as CEO, COO, Assistant Chief Instructor, and 141 Administrator. He didn’t just teach students how to fly—he built the systems, structures, and staff that helped hundreds of them take off in their careers.

Behind every lesson plan was a strategy. Behind every operational change, a commitment to scale. Brandon treated NextGen like a prototype for the modern aviation ecosystem—one built with clarity, care, and long-term growth in mind.

Closing the Financing Gap: Co-Founding Stratus Financial

In 2020, the aviation industry was rocked by the pandemic. Schools shuttered. Hiring slowed. And many aspiring pilots were forced to put their dreams on hold.

But where others saw uncertainty, Brandon saw opportunity.

As co-founder and COO of Stratus Financial, he helped launch a lending platform designed specifically for flight students and flight schools. The goal wasn’t just to hand out loans—it was to build financial infrastructure that understood aviation from the inside out.

By partnering directly with schools and tailoring lending programs to student needs, Stratus gave future pilots a path forward—at a time when few others would.

“We weren’t just financing flight time,” Brandon often says.

“We were funding futures.”

Stratus quickly became a trusted name in aviation finance, proving that with the right systems and the right mindset, innovation in this industry is still very possible—even in times of turbulence.

From Founder to Fractional Operator: Scaling with Luminary Augmenters

Brandon’s experience scaling aviation businesses exposed the operational pain points that plague many founders:

• Wearing every hat

• Building processes from scratch

• Running on burnout instead of systems

These challenges sparked the creation of Luminary Augmenters—a company Brandon co-founded with Carson Vasquez to bring real operational support to founders.

At Luminary, Brandon helps build what most leaders are missing:clear SOPs, streamlined systems, and embedded operational guidance that doesn’t just live in a Google Doc—but works in real life.

Rather than offering high-level advice, Luminary dives into the trenches—helping companies implement the same structures that helped NextGen and Stratus scale sustainably.

Leading with Vision, Grounded in Experience

What sets Brandon apart is his rare blend of firsthand flight experience and scalable business leadership.

He’s trained pilots, led multi-role teams, navigated regulatory frameworks, and built platforms that now support students and schools nationwide.

Today, Brandon continues to mentor aviation professionals, collaborate with flight schools, and share insights through thought leadership, speaking engagements, and strategic partnerships. Whether it’s a CFI launching a new program or a flight school owner ready to scale, his message remains consistent:

With the right structure, the right support, and the right systems—aviation doesn’t have to be hard to navigate.It just has to be built right.

If you're ready to grow a flight school, find funding, or build aviation operations that won’t break under pressure—Brandon Martini is a leader you want in your corner.

The next generation of aviation is already on its way up.Brandon’s helping build the runway.