Wichita, Kansas

WingsLeasing signs dry lease agreement with University of Nebraska-Kearney flight school, advancing new model for growth

WingsLeasing has announced the signing of a dry lease agreement of seven Tecnam P-MENTOR aircraft for the University of Nebraska-Kearney flight training program, marking a significant step forward in reshaping how flight schools access capital, scale operations and meet accelerating demand for pilot training.

The agreement reflects a growing shift in aviation training: moving away from traditional ownership models toward flexible leasing strategies that unlock capital, expand fleet capacity and improve long-term financial performance.

“Flight training is at an inflection point,” said Alan Goodnight, President of WingsLeasing. “Demand for pilots continues to rise, but access to capital remains one of the biggest constraints for schools. Our model allows institutions such as the University of Nebraska-Kearney to grow faster, modernize fleets and focus on training outcomes, not balance sheet limitations.”

Tecnam P-MENTOR

Tecnam P-MENTOR.

Through the dry lease structure, the university gains access to aircraft without the upfront capital burden typically associated with fleet expansion. This approach enables increased student throughput, improved aircraft utilization and more predictable operating economics.

“Schools like University of Nebraska-Kearney are recognizing how partnerships like this give them the ability to scale in a way that aligns with both student demand and long-term program sustainability,” said Goodnight. “The UNK team worked closely with us on examining the economics of leasing and recognized our program allows them to focus on delivering high-quality instruction while expanding capacity.”

WingsLeasing’s approach is rooted in helping flight schools unlock the value of their existing assets while gaining access to new aircraft, creating a scalable, capital-efficient model designed for today’s training environment. It works with schools with a variety of aircraft, including single and multi-engine fleets, and all major general and business aviation manufacturers, including Cessna, Piper, Pipistrel, Diamond, Cirrus and Tecnam Aircraft.

As demand for pilots continues to accelerate globally, partnerships like this signal a broader transformation in how flight training programs are financed, structured, and expanded.