What is Cadet Pilot Self-Funded?
Self-sponsored – the student pilot will have to pay for the entire training cost. However, there are several ways to reduce those expenses, from grants to countless scholarships. There are also several opportunities to save on reaching these dreaded 1,500 hours before applying to airlines.
Airline-sponsored – the airline will pay for the entire training cost and in return, the student pilot has to sign a bond with the airline committing to working a certain duration with the airline. Right now, many US airlines, but also those in Europe and Asia, started their own ab-initio professional pilot training to fill the cockpits in the future. The shortage of pilots already led to many flight cancellations. Almost all major airlines started to offer this ab-initio training - from pedestrian to airline pilot.
Cadet Pilot Programs usually follow one of two training styles:
- Traditional ATPL Integrated Pilot Training Program
- Multi-Crew Pilot License (MPL) Program
And have two different funding features:
Self-sponsored – the student pilot will have to pay for the entire training cost
Airline-sponsored – the airline will pay for the entire training cost and in return, the student pilot has to sign a bond with the airline committing to working a certain duration with the airline (very rarely).
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ALASKA AIRLINES & HORIZON
Facing a pilot shortage, Alaska and its regional airline, Horizon Air, just launched the Ascend Pilot Academy in partnership with the Hillsboro Aero Academy in Oregon. Becoming a pilot for Alaska Airlines and the regional airline it owns just got easier. Alaska and Horizon say they will need 2,000 new pilots by 2025.
Students accepted into Ascend Pilot Academy/Hillsboro Aviation will also receive a contingent job offer to become first officers at Horizon - which operates the Bombardier Dash 8 Q400 and the Embraer 175. The program is also less expensive than some other programs, with estimated training costs somewhere between $65,000 and $80,000, before the stipend. Students will earn their ratings from private pilot up to commercial pilot and will receive a $25,000 stipend to pay for the commercial license.
After graduating from the program with a commercial license, students can become flight instructors at Hillsboro. They earn the hours required to obtain the airline transport pilot certificate needed to fly for Horizon. Once obtaining the required 1,500 flight hours, students are placed in a new-hire class at Horizon. To get hired at Alaska Airlines, Ascend Pilot Academy graduates who reach Horizon’s flight decks must apply for quarterly openings with the airline’s pathway program.
https://careers.alaskaair.com/seattle-wa/ascend-pilot-academy-become-a-pilot/CDE46FFE084A4CE7A8148B3596922752/job/
LUFTHANSA
Pilot training, which the Group had temporarily interrupted, is to be resumed. Around 200 junior pilots had previously sued the Group. Unlike in the past, however, there will no longer be courses that lead almost automatically to employment with the core Lufthansa brand.
Until now, there had been courses whose hand-picked participants could be almost certain to fly later with Lufthansa's core company at lucrative pay conditions. Lufthansa turned around its pilot training at its European locations and in November handed over the school in Goodyear to the Star Alliance partner United, which will also continue to teach Lufthansa flight students.
The uniform training goal is now the generally recognized airline pilot license ATP, with which graduates could apply to employers within and outside the Lufthansa Group. Training locations are the flight school in Goodyear in the US state of Arizona, which was sold to United, Rostock-Laage, Bremen, and Zurich for the theory.
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AIRBUS Ab-Initio Pilot Training
AFAE - Airbus Ab-Initio Training Program - can now train up to 200 pilot cadets at one time with its increased capacity. The new facility has 4.7 hectares, including a new building of approximately 3,200 square meters which will be used to train aspiring pilots with 14 classrooms, a simulator hall, an auditorium, and a restaurant.
By enlarging its ab-initio training base, Airbus reaffirms its longstanding commitment to supporting its airline customers in anticipating and preparing for the future. In helping to train the pilots of tomorrow, a demand now estimated to be around 550,000 over the next 20 years, Airbus is ensuring the commercial aircraft industry is ready for air traffic recovery in the 2023-2025 timeframe and the years beyond.
The Airbus Pilot Cadet Training Program is open to high school graduates over 18 years old worldwide. Candidates will undergo online and on-site screening tests before being eligible for training which will include 750+ hours of ground school, plus 200 hours of practical (flight and simulator) training. New courses started in April 2022 in southern France and in Mexico.
From Airbus Cadet to a pilot ready to fly and work for an airline: In approximately 18 months, the Airbus Pilot Cadet Training Programme provides you with an integrated Airline Transport Pilot Licence (ATPL). Smoothly accompanied from training to an operational airline environment, you will be equipped with a ‘frozen’ Airline Transport Pilot Licence (ATPL), completed by a Jet Orientation & Multi-Crew Cooperation (JOC/MCC) courses.
Begin ab-initio: Initial phases within our Flight Academy Network, to earn an Airbus Commercial Pilot Licence with Single & Multi-Engine, Instrument Rating & Visual Flight Rules (or CPL VFR / IRME). Then, perform the Intermediate training (JOC/MCC) in an Airbus Training Centre, likewise the Advanced training (Type Rating), and so on. The full course duration is approximately 20 - 22 months including Type rating. The initial phase is approx.18 months. These 18 months include approximately 8 months for the ground training (ATPL theory)
https://www.airbus-flight-academy.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Airbus-Pilot-Cadet-Training-Programme-_QA_Feb_2020.pdf
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QATAR AIRWAYS
Provides guaranteed employment to selected high-caliber students from all nationalities to become future pilots of Qatar Airways upon successful completion of the Self-Funded Qatar Airways Multi-Crew Pilot License Programme.
https://www.qatarairways.com/en-us/nationalisation/cadet-pilot-programme.html
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UNITED AIRLINES
United’s Aviate Academy: The in-house flight training operation was the first for any major airline in the US. Phoenix’ Goodyear airfield, where the training takes place, is putting the school's first class of about 60 students on a streamlined path to a new career.
https://unitedaviate.com/
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WIZZ AIR
Hungarian carrier WizzAir has launched a Cabin Crew to Captain program aimed to allow their cabin crew members to progress through flight training and swap the cabin for the cockpit. The program is a first for the industry and will help cabin crew members who want to learn to fly by providing financial help, travel, and accommodation support, as well as offering a bespoke work and study schedule.
WizzAir says that the training program will consist of 22 months of ab-initio ground training followed by 18 months of flight training at Trener Flight School in Nyíregyháza Hungary.
Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-NsVnHnrVlc&feature=emb_title
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SPIRIT AIRLINES
US-based Spirit Airlines announces partnership with US Pilot Training Organisation
Spirit Airlines announced its partnership with the nation’s largest flight school, Jacksonville-based ATP Flight School. The new Spirit Direct Program will expand the carrier’s pipeline of highly skilled, professional pilots to include ATP’s more than 2,000 qualified students and flight instructors. It also provides graduates with the fastest track to a successful career as a Spirit pilot amid the airline’s continued growth.
ATP’s prestigious Airline Career Pilot Program and Spirit Direct Program will immerse students in a two-year training that develops line-ready, Spirit A320 family pilots. Students begin their journey with a seven-month training toward their multi-engine commercial pilot and flight instructor certificates along with their instrument rating. As students progress to ATP instructors they continue to build flight experience working to advance to first officer with Spirit Airlines.
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SPICE JET
Their Cadet Pilot Program is a perfect launch pad for those who want to fly high. It is a program designed for young aspirants eyeing a seat in the cockpit of an aircraft.
https://pilot.spicestaracademy.edu.in
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INDIGO
CAE is proud to partner with IndiGo in the delivery of a new pathway for the IndiGo Cadet Pilot Programme – International Pathway. Selected cadets will train across two of CAE's academies in India and the USA. Participating in the Cadet Program as an instructor makes you an Envoy Air employee, allowing you to enjoy health and travel benefits from the airline while you gain experience. Once you reach 500 hours of flight time, you will also begin earning financial assistance.
https://www.cae.com/media/documents/CAEC_7832_09_Indigo_Cadet_Pilot_Program_FAQs_July_2021_VF1_WEB.pdf
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EASYJET
Generation EasyJet Cadet Pilot Program in Brussels, Belgium, Madrid, Spain, Milan, Italy, London Gatwick, and the UKGeneration EasyJet Cadet Pilot Program – Airbus A320
EasyJet has opened its Generation easyJet Cadet Pilot Program. Cadets will complete their commercial flight training and obtain a Multi-Crew Pilot Licence (MPL) before going on to operate the A320 with EasyJet. The Generation easyJet Pilot Training Programme is Multi-Crew Pilot Licence (MPL) is a competency-based training program that is designed especially for EasyJet. You will be selected and mentored by easyJet from the start of the program. Your course includes aircraft-type-specific training on a flight training device and full-flight simulators. It is followed by Base and line training with EasyJet. When you successfully complete the course, you will join easyJet as a co-pilot flying an Airbus A320 across Europe. EasyJet selected CAE as its launch partner for its Multi-Crew Pilot Licence (MPL) training program. To date, CAE has trained and delivered more than 1,200 pilots through the easyJet MPL, Integrated ATPL, and type-rating training programs for the airline.
https://www.flightdeckfriend.com/job/generation-easyjet-cadet-pilot-program/
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AMERICAN AIRLINES
The American Airlines Cadet Academy is an integrated flight training program that provides a clearly defined path to becoming a professional pilot. American Airlines and Spartan College of Aeronautics and Technology announce a new partnership to expand the American Airlines Cadet Academy for aspiring pilots. Spartan, based in Tulsa, Oklahoma, is the Cadet Academy’s first collegiate partner offering an Associate of Applied Science degree in Aviation Flight and increases its training network to five locations. Spartan College of Aeronautics and Technology is American’s first collegiate partner for its Cadet Academy.
- Since 1928, Spartan College has been training aviation pilots and technicians.
- Cadets can earn their FAA certificates and ratings, as well as their Associate of Applied Science degree simultaneously.
- Cadets graduating from Spartan qualify for a restricted Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) certificate at 1,250 flight hours.
Qualifying cadets also have access to American Airlines Federal Credit Union’s Cadet Loan Program for financial assistance in covering the cost of training. Upon completion of the required flight hours, American’s three wholly owned regional carriers (Envoy, Piedmont, and PSA) will offer graduates an interview.
http://www.aacadetacademy.com › CadetAcademy › faq
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JETBLUE
JetBlue has opened up applications for its Pilot Gateway program for this year. The long-running scheme allows those looking to join the flight deck an opportunity to receive a conditional job offer and training to meet the requirements. As pilot demand rises in the US, airlines rely on such programs to maintain a pipeline of crews into the future.
First started in 2008, JetBlue is seeking applicants for the 14th year in a row to join the carrier as pilots. There are several paths, or gateways, available to those interested, depending on their current position. Those not working for the airline or select subsidiaries will have the chance to join Gateway Select or Gateway University.
From Cabin to Cockpit: For those already working at JetBlue as crew members, the airline has two paths available to joining the flight deck. The first is Gateway Direct, which is similar to the Select program described above. This will see crew members apply for the position, receive a conditional job offer, and begin training at flight school. After their education, the freshly minted trainees will join regional partner airline Cape Air to reach their requisite flight hours, even spending a year as Captain. After hitting the 1500-hour mark, they will transition to JetBlue to serve as First Officers.
The second program is Gateway Flex, which as the name suggests, gives crew members more time and more choice to complete the job requirements to be a pilot. Applicants who are successful tailor their own training plans with the guidance and approval of the Gateway team. The job offer is valid for five years, with crews allowed to take a one-year leave of absence to start their training and spending a total of at least 3.5 years to complete the program and join as First Officers.
https://www.jetbluegateways.com/
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AeroGuard’s Pilot Pathway Program
It provides a clear path to becoming an airline pilot, taking students with little or no prior experience, directly to professional airlines – all in partnership with SkyWest Airlines, the largest regional airline in the U.S., flying for American, United, Delta, and Alaska Airlines.
With three Phases, the career path is clear and designed for success.
Students begin Phase 1 by learning the fundamentals of flight and executing training missions to gain 7 FAA Ratings & Certificates.
Phase 2 offers a Guaranteed Interview to work as a paid Certified Flight Instructor, building flight experience to the 1,500 hours required to work as an Airline Pilot in the U.S.
Lastly, Phase 3 with SkyWest Airlines offers a Guaranteed First Officer Interview and Tuition Reimbursement!
As graduates of AeroGuard’s Pilot Pathway Program, SkyWest Airlines pilots are able to take control of their career, and as captains receive guaranteed pilot interviews with 3 major airlines: Delta, United, and Alaska, furthering the Pathway Program all the way to the majors.
https://www.flyaeroguard.com/programs/pilot-pathway/
More Cadet Pilot Programs:
Emirates National Cadet Pilot Program
https://www.emiratesgroupcareers.com/search-and-apply/328783/
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Helvetic Airways Cadet Program
https://career.helvetic.com/apcp
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EVA Airways Cadet Program
http://www.evafta.com/homepage/
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Air Arabia A320 Cadet Pilot (MPL)
https://www.airarabia.com/en/320-cadet-pilot-mpl
Around the world, airlines scramble to fill cockpits with well-trained professional pilots. So it was a great decision to initiate what Lufthansa in Europa did for more than fifty years: to educate and train their own staff in Asia, Europe, and North America.
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