MARGATE, Fla.–We Florida Financial Credit Union has introduced “We Fly,” a new aviation program offering loans to its own members and to members of the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association nationally.
In announcing the program the CU cited AOPA data showing Florida is home to 21,220 aircrafts and 51,671 certified pilots including 10,917 students and 14,857 privately licensed operators. Florida is also home to 857 public and private airports.
“Florida has a healthy aviation industry and has successfully served as a training ground for career and recreational pilots,” said CEO Lloyd Gill. “Its year-round mild climate also makes it a favored location to own and operate private planes. We’re thrilled to offer our We Fly program as an affordable solution to those who may have perceived that flight training or an aircraft purchase was out of their reach. Only a handful of credit unions can even offer this type of program and we are happy to be able to make these high-flying dreams come true.”
According to We Florida Financial, the We Fly program will provide loans for all elements of aviation including avionic upgrades, aircraft maintenance and flight training, all over the country. “With aircraft purchases, the credit union will not only give the loan but will handle the aircraft background check, registration and escrow,” the CU said in a statement. “It will handle the entire process over the phone, providing a great convenience for the borrower.”
The program will be headed by Alex Martin, an aviation graduate of the Florida Institute of Technology, and a licensed private pilot.