Flight Team to the Flight Deck: Trae LeFan (2015-17) – Captain, Republic Airways
Trae was a founding member of our program & Captain for the team’s first 2 seasons. He now serves as a Captain for Republic Airways – who he joined in 2017 – and is based at New York’s LaGuardia Airport. He enjoys setting an example for First Officers & creating a fun work environment. Trae is also an officer (field artillery) in the Florida National Guard.
Along with his teammates, Trae helped bring home multiple National Intercollegiate Flying Association (NIFA) Region IX honors, including the Safety Award. His favorite Flight Team memories are training in a plane owned by Jason Schappert of MzeroA.com fame.
Trae earned a bachelor’s degree in Aerospace Sciences & an associate’s in Professional Pilot Science from Polk State College. He said training with Polk State Aerospace & the Flight Team taught him to be a leader in a different capacity than he had led before. Aside from flying, he lives nearby in his hometown of Auburndale, Florida & enjoys woodworking & hanging out with his wife & kids.
