Become the Pilot Others
Trust Instantly
Master the human side of flying... communication, CRM, decision-making, and how you show up as a pilot.
Pilots are trained in procedures, systems, and technical skills. Almost no one is trained in the human skills that shape every flight:
Communication
Emotional intelligence
Conflict management
Decision-making
CRM
Adaptability
That’s the gap First Class Leaders exists to close.
465+ Members • Founded by Captain Kyle Freiburger • 10,000+ Flight Hours
Our Big Purpose
We bring pilots together to master the human side of flying and build real leadership habits, enabling them to communicate clearly, make better decisions, strengthen safety, and lead with trust and respect both in and out of the cockpit.
Most Pilot Communities Don’t Make You a Better Pilot
Most online pilot groups are:
Noisy
Unstructured
Full of generic opinions
Lacking meaningful discussion
Not built for growth
And none of them help you improve:
How you communicate with crew
How you handle conflict
How you make decisions under pressure
How you adapt to different personalities
How you show up as a leader — regardless of your rank
How you build trust in the cockpit
Technical skill gets you flying.
Human skill determines how far you go.
A Community Built for Pilots Who Want to Lead Themselves Well
This isn’t a forum.
It’s a professionally structured development environment designed to help pilots build the everyday leadership habits aviation demands.
What makes First Class Leaders different:
Curated Membership
Every pilot applies and completes a welcome call to ensure a high-quality, growth-driven environment.
Leadership as a Skill, Not a Title
In this community, leadership means:
Communicate clearly
Stay calm under pressure
Collaborate effectively
Adapt to different personalities
Make sound decisions
Resolve conflict confidently
Build trust with crew
Model professionalism
No rank required.
A Community That Actually Engages
Pilots show up, share insights, connect, support, and hold each other accountable.
Most online pilot groups are:
Here's Everything You Get as a First Class Member:
90-Day Leadership Flight Plan
Step-by-step roadmap tailored to your career stage (Value: $197)
Private Discussion Groups
Connect with pilots facing the same challenges you are (Value: $97)
Monthly Live Training Calls
Practice real scenarios with expert feedback
(Value: $297)
Leadership Academy Access
Earn recognition badges for mastering communication, conflict resolution, and decision-making
(Value: $497)
Total Value: $1,388
Your Investment: Just $20/month
What Your Membership Includes
(Just $10/Month)
A complete system for building stronger communication, CRM, and decision-making habits.
Monthly Co-Pilot Pairings
Every month, you’re matched with another pilot for:
Skill-building discussion
Accountability
Shared cockpit experiences
Perspective from a different stage of flying
Real, meaningful connection
Pilot Directory & Direct Messaging
Search pilots by:
Type rating
Hours
Region
Operator
Role
Career stage
Build real professional relationships.
Leadership Co-Pilot
(AI Human-Performance Coach)
Your 24/7 coaching tool to improve:
Communication
Conflict resolution
Emotional intelligence
CRM
Calm, clear decision-making
Like having a human factors coach in your pocket.
Book Club + Monthly Leadership Focus
Each month focuses on a specific human skill:
Communication
Decision-making
Emotional control
Adaptability
Humility
Awareness
Real leadership for real pilots.
Leadership Resource Library
Communication tools, CRM resources, habit builders, frameworks, and human-performance guides; all pilot-specific.
Recordings Library
Access event recordings, discussions, and deep-dive sessions anytime.
Your Welcome Call: Your Personal Leadership Flight Plan
Every new member receives a short onboarding call where we:
Identify your communication + CRM goals
Map out your first steps in the community
Walk through suggested resources
Connect you with a member who’s been here 6+ months
Ensure you're set up for consistency and momentum
It’s clarity, connection, and direction from day one.
A Soft Introduction to Pathways (Optional Upgrade)
For pilots who want structured, career-specific human-performance training.
Membership gives you access to the community, tools, and support.
Pathways give you deeper structure.
Five Career Stage Pathways
Student Pilot
Flight Instructor
Job Seeker
First Officer
Captain
Each Pathway includes:
Human-performance development plan
DiSC behavioural assessment
Personalized communication strategies
Career-stage guidance
90-day micro-habit system
Skill-building sequences
Accountability tools
Nothing is required.
Pathways are there when you’re ready for focused growth.
Meet Captain Kyle Freiburger
Founder • 10,000+ Hours • Human Performance Specialist
Kyle founded First Class Leaders with a simple belief:
Leadership is how a pilot thinks, communicates, and acts; not the stripes they wear.
The technical side of flying is taught everywhere.
The human side; the side that determines safety, trust, relationships, CRM, mental clarity, and cockpit harmony, is not.
This community fills the gap aviation has ignored for decades.
Most online pilot groups are:
Who This Community Is For
Pilots who want to:
Communicate more effectively with crew
Improve decision-making
Navigate conflict with confidence
Strengthen CRM
Work better with instructors or captains
Stay calm under pressure
Increase emotional intelligence
Build humility + awareness
Create better relationships in the cockpit
Lead naturally — without needing a title
Whether you're a student, instructor, job seeker, FO, or captain, this community will help you excel.
What Pilots Are Saying
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“My communication and CRM improved more in two months here than in years of flying.”
— Alejandro, Flight Instructor
10,000+ hours
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“I understand how to handle tough personalities so much better now.”
— Jonathan T.
7,000+ hours
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“The Co-Pilot program alone is worth the membership. I’ve learned from pilots I’d never normally meet.”
— Mark B., Pilot
750 hours
How to Join
Apply
Tell us about your background and goals.
Welcome Call
Build your personal leadership flight plan with us.
Become a Member
Access everything for $10/month
(Pathways available anytime as optional upgrades.)
Ready to Become a First Class Leader?
Leadership isn’t about rank — it’s about how you communicate, decide, and collaborate.
Become the pilot people trust and enjoy flying with.
