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United Aviate Academy: taking pilot development to greater heights

December 5, 2021


United Aviate Academy training plane with sunset

We are thrilled to announce the inaugural class of approximately 30 United Aviate Academy students will begin training on December 6 at the newly acquired, 340,000 square-foot facility at Phoenix Goodyear Airport. This facility, leased by United Aviate Academy from the city of Phoenix, will provide aspiring pilots with industry-leading resources, equipment and accommodations. The facility is one of only three aviation training campuses in the U.S. and was previously home to Lufthansa Aviation Training (LAT).

Each student will complete a rigorous, year-long training program that prepares them for a career that reflects United’s high standard of professionalism and a deep commitment to delivering a safe, caring, dependable and efficient travel experience. After completing their training at the academy, students will build flight and leadership experience while working within the Aviate pilot development ecosystem at partner universities, professional flight training organizations, Part 135 Operators and United Express carriers on their way to becoming United pilots.

“We are thrilled to welcome our first class of students to the academy’s new home at Phoenix Goodyear Airport,” said Mary Ann Schaffer, United’s chief pilot and member of the United Aviate Academy board of directors. “The facility ensures we have the resources to expand our training capabilities and that the next generation of aviators will receive industry-leading training toward their goal of becoming a pilot for United Airlines.”

Following the inaugural class of 30, United Aviate Academy will welcome between 25 and 50 new students each month and expects to train at least 500 students yearly, with plans for at least half of those students to be women or people of color. Hiring the best talent remains at the forefront of United’s efforts, and we fully expect United Aviate Academy to deliver industry-leading training to further our goal of hiring 10,000 pilots before the end of the decade.

Learn more about United Aviate Academy


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Full details regarding Aviate eligibility and transition requirements can be found in the Aviate Program Guide (APG). For questions not covered in the APG, please provide your information and question in the space provided, and we’ll get back to you soon.

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