OnCore Aviation acquires Buffalo flight school

Rochester’s OnCore Aviation LLC has expanded in Buffalo with the acquisition of Prior Aviation Service Inc. flight school. Financial details were not disclosed.

OnCore now has three locations, and company owner Todd Cameron sees the acquisition as an opportunity for continued growth in a market that has a century of rich aviation heritage. Cameron expects to continue that growth.

The pandemic has left commercial airlines facing unprecedented economic firsts, but general aviation and flight training operations have seen tremendous growth, company officials said. Training flights are up at local airports, which are seeing a greater amount of traffic and commerce due to general aviation, they said. As retirements loom, OnCore officials said a pilot shortage is inevitable.

“Our goal is to be the thought leader in a worldwide community of modern flight training and a company that impacts our entire aviation ecosystem,” said Cameron, a longtime advocate for raising awareness of trade skills, STEM education and opportunities in aviation.

With the acquisition, OnCore’s flight operations team will have the ability to mentor and train more aspiring aviators. Programs available through ground schools, flight instruction, simulators and airplane rental enable students of all ages to acquire the ratings required for a safe and successful flying career, officials noted.

Prior Aviation Services has been in operation for nearly six decades, laying the groundwork as the premier flight training center in Buffalo. OnCore plans to build upon that foundation as the company continues to offer education and customer service from experienced, professional instructors.

“Despite the pandemic, flight training in many locations is flourishing, as is general aviation, with activity at many airports up more than 30 percent compared to last year,” said Tom Haines, senior vice president of media, communications & outreach at the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association. “Individuals and businesses are seeing the tremendous benefits of (general aviation), which should boost business for OnCore and flight schools across the country.”

OnCore Aviation was founded in 2016 at the Frederick Douglass Greater Rochester International Airport in the modern AVFlight Rochester FBO facilities. The company has since expanded to include modern flight training facilities at the Niagara Falls International Airport, as well as the Buffalo Niagara International Airport.

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