Inside Pilot Aviation Finance: How Private Credit Is Funding the Next Generation of Pilots
May 7th, 2026 1:00 PM CT
Join Stratus Financial for an educational webinar exploring how private credit is supporting the rapidly growing demand for commercial aviation pilots.
This session will cover the structural pilot shortage, how aviation training financing works, and how specialty finance strategies like Stratus provide investors access to a private credit asset class that is largely uncorrelated with traditional equity markets.
Eljona Shkreli
Brandon Martini
Ramez Fakhoury
Upcoming Live
Founded
In 2008
Members
Administered
1 Billion
in Assets
Full-Time
Dedicated Staff
White-Glove
Service
Here’s What You’ll Learn
1
The global pilot shortage and the long-term demand outlook for commercial aviation.
2
How aviation training loans are structured and financed in the United States.
3
How private credit strategies generate income through specialty lending markets.
4
Key risks, underwriting considerations, and investor protections in aviation finance.
About Stratus Financial
Meet The Experts
STRATUS FINANCIAL
Eljona Shkreli
Eljona Shkreli is the Managing Director and Head of Investor Relations at Stratus Financial. She leads capital markets and investor partnerships for the firm’s private credit strategies focused on aviation training finance. She works with accredited investors, family offices, and institutions seeking alternative income opportunities in specialty finance.
FDIC Insured
IRA/401(k) cash is FDIC insured
Flat Fee Structure
Flat fees and straightforward pricing
Free IRA Reports
Free annual IRA tax reporting
(RMDs, 1099-R, 5498, 5500 forms)
Investor's Row
Explore alternative investment opportunities
Concierge Service
Friendly, white-glove service
Educational Resources
Up-to-date educational resources on IRS regulations
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are the most common Self-Directed IRA questions. Have others?
Sign up for our webinar and ask us in person!
IRA Club provides a way for people like you to fully utilize the benefits of Self-Directed IRAs, leading to a wider range of investments and potential for better returns.
It’s an IRA that gives you more choices for where you want to invest your money, not just in regular stocks or bonds.
Self-Directed IRAs were passed by Congress back in 1974. Alternative IRA investments have always been allowed by the IRS, however, many IRA companies have placed artificial restrictions on IRA owners over the years. Self-Directed IRAs are not well known because most banks and brokerage firms prefer traditional investments.
It’s easy to make investments with a Self-Directed IRA. Once you find your investment and provide money to the seller, you will receive proof that your Self-Directed IRA is the new owner. It can be in the form of a Bill of Sale, title, deed, or simply a statement identifying your Self-Directed IRA as the asset’s new owner. The main difference is that the name on the title (or other documents) is the name of your Self-Directed IRA and not your name as an individual.
Yes. The most common way for an IRA to buy an asset is to pay cash. However, there may be times when an alternative method of payment is practical.
Maximum Contributions for 2023:
Under age 50 – $7,000.
Age 50 and over – $8,000
