The Association of Air Medical Services (AAMS) is proud to announce the rebranding of the Critical Care Transport Academy (CCTA) as the Flight Ready Institute, an updated identity that more clearly reflects the mission to prepare the next generation of air medical transport professionals for success in the air medical field.

The Flight Ready Institute retains the same rigorous, comprehensive curriculum that has made CCTA a trusted pathway for aspiring flight clinicians, while adopting a name that more clearly communicates the program’s purpose and value to the broader industry.

“The Flight Ready Institute name reflects exactly what this program delivers – highly prepared, duty‑ready clinicians who are equipped to meet the demands of critical care transport from day one,” said Jana Williams, President and CEO of AAMS. “This evolution strengthens our ability to tell the school’s story, expand awareness, and continue growing a strong, well‑prepared workforce for our industry.”

According to Mandy Gainey, Faculty Co-Chair, the rebrand better aligns the program’s name with the expectations placed on today’s transport clinicians. “The CCTA has always been about clinical, operational, and professional readiness,” Gainey said. “The Flight Ready Institute clearly signals what our graduates bring to the table for potential employers.”

The Flight Ready Institute continues to offer a competitive, application-based program designed to identify and develop highly motivated professionals pursuing careers in critical care transport. Participants receive best-in-class education and training focused on foundational knowledge, operational readiness, and professional growth, ensuring graduates are truly flight ready.

The 2026 cohort, our largest ever with 35 students, is also the first to convene under the newly branded Flight Ready Institute. This past weekend, the class completed the first of two in-person sessions, engaging in hands-on skills training and interactive lectures at Life Link III in Shoreview, Minnesota.

Matt Benson, Faculty Co-Chair, emphasized that while the name is new, the Institute’s foundation remains unchanged. “This is the same high‑quality, competitive program that CCTA graduates and hiring leaders know and trust,” Benson said. “The Flight Ready Institute builds on a strong legacy while positioning the program for the future of our industry.”

More information about the Flight Ready Institute, including program details and application timelines, is available at www.aams.org.