Teens in Flight, a flight training program dedicated to empowering youth through aviation education, is excited to announce the addition of Freud Jeantilus to their team of flight instructors.
Originally from Haiti, Freud moved to the U.S. at the age of eight with his mother to reunite with his father who was in New Jersey. A recent graduate from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (ERAU) with a degree in Aeronautical Science and a minor in Business Administration, Freud is currently enrolled in a cadet program with Frontier Airlines. Certified with both Commercial and Multi-Engine Rating certifications, Freud is on a mission to accumulate 1,000 flight hours as he prepares for a career with Frontier Airlines. The hiring process takes about two months – Frontier gives you a class date, you go through three sets of interviews, a zoom interview, a personality interview, then you get added to the pilot pool once you graduate. After he completes his flight simulator classes, he will fly an A320 and A321-airbus.
Freud found Teens in Flight through one of their other flight instructors, Will Patton. Will was a flight instructor at Teens in Flight who was leaving to move to Minnesota to pursue a career at Endeavor Airlines. Since starting at Teens in Flight last week, Freud has already flown three times; a discovery flight, a cross-country trip, and a maneuver training session with a student.
Reflecting on his new role, Freud shared, “Being from Haiti, I want to inspire young people since there is not a lot of opportunity there. Flight school is challenging; you have to love it. My advice to young people is to focus, work hard, and put God first. Find what you love to do, then find a way to get paid for it.” Freud added that he has plans to return to school to earn his MBA in Business Administration.
Freud attributes his success to his family’s encouragement and guidance. “My family got me this far. Surround yourself with a good support system; it’s crucial in navigating the path to achieving your dreams,” he added. Freud lives with his aunt and has three siblings – twin 5-year-old boys and a 6-year-old sister – that he wants to make proud.
“We couldn’t be happier to have Freud join our team,” said Ric Lehman, Executive Director, Teens in Flight. “Freud’s journey underscores the program’s commitment to providing high-quality aviation education and mentorship to the next generation of pilots,” added Ric.
The Teens-In-Flight program allows teenagers to earn a private pilot’s license at no cost. Students have been placed at Stetson University, Embry Riddle Aeronautical University, the U.S. Air Force Academy, United States Naval Academy, West Point, the U.S. Military Academy and more.