Pan Am Flight Academy Acquires Alliance Aviation to Expand Training

This article is based on an official press release from Acorn Capital Management.

Pan Am Flight Academy Acquires Alliance Aviation to Bolster Global Training Footprint

On January 7, 2026, Acorn Capital Management announced that its portfolio company, Pan Am Flight Academy, has successfully acquired Alliance Aviation, Inc. This strategic move combines two prominent independent aviation Training organizations, significantly expanding the combined entity’s simulator fleet and geographic reach, particularly within the Latin American market.

Under the terms of the agreement, Alliance Aviation will continue to operate as a division of Pan Am Flight Academy. The financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. This acquisition comes less than a year after Acorn Capital Management acquired Pan Am Flight Academy in February 2025, signaling a rapid expansion strategy under the private equity firm’s ownership.

Strategic Consolidation in Flight Training

The Acquisitions brings together complementary assets in a market that has historically been fragmented. Pan Am Flight Academy, the only surviving division of the original Pan American World Airways, is a long-standing leader in flight simulator-based training. Alliance Aviation, a leading FAA Part 142 flight training organization, is recognized for its modern fleet and strong connectivity with international carriers.

According to the announcement, the merger is designed to create a “one-stop-shop” for airline clients and individual pilots. The combined resources will allow the organization to offer a broader range of scheduling options and training locations.

“The acquisition of Alliance Aviation is a strategic milestone for Pan Am, reflecting our confidence in the combined organization’s ability to lead the independent flight training market.”

, Greg Agnew, Partner at Acorn Capital Management

Expanding into Latin America

A primary driver for this acquisition is the expansion of training capabilities for the Airbus A320 and Boeing 737 platforms. Alliance Aviation brings a modern fleet of Level D Full Flight Simulators (FFS) to the partnership. Furthermore, Alliance has established a significant footprint in Latin-America, with facilities or training capabilities in Cancun, Monterrey, and Medellin, alongside US locations in Fort Lauderdale, Miami, Dallas, Las Vegas, and Orlando.

Alex Pinho, President of Pan Am Flight Academy, emphasized the value of this geographic synergy in a statement regarding the deal:

“We are thrilled to welcome Alliance Aviation into the Pan Am family… This acquisition enhances our training capabilities and brings with it a highly complementary customer base.”

, Alex Pinho, President of Pan Am Flight Academy

Leadership and Operations

Operational continuity appears to be a priority for the new ownership structure. Federico Flores will continue to lead Alliance Aviation as it operates as a division within the larger Pan Am framework. The retention of existing leadership suggests a focus on maintaining Alliance’s “boutique” approach to customer service while leveraging Pan Am’s global infrastructure.

AirPro News Analysis

This acquisition occurs against the backdrop of a persistent global pilot shortage. With industry outlooks, such as Boeing’s 2025-2044 forecast, estimating a need for over 600,000 new pilots over the next two decades, the demand for independent training centers is projected to remain high.

We observe that private equity firms like Acorn Capital Management are increasingly active in this sector. By consolidating independent training centers, investors aim to achieve economies of scale that are difficult for smaller, standalone Part 142 operators to maintain. For Pan Am, acquiring Alliance allows for immediate capacity growth without the long lead times associated with ordering and certifying new full-flight simulators.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who owns Pan Am Flight Academy?
Pan Am Flight Academy is a portfolio company of Acorn Capital Management, a private equity firm investing exclusively in Aerospace, Defense, Intelligence, and Space. Acorn acquired Pan Am in February 2025.

What happens to Alliance Aviation’s current contracts?
Alliance Aviation will operate as a division of Pan Am Flight Academy under its current leadership, suggesting that existing contracts and training schedules will likely remain uninterrupted.

What aircraft types are covered by the combined entity?
The combined fleet offers extensive training on major commercial platforms, with a specific emphasis on the Airbus A320 family and Boeing 737NG, as well as other Type Rating training previously offered by Pan Am (such as Saab and other Boeing/Airbus variants).

Sources

• PR Newswire