Goodyear aviation school offers direct path to airline careers

At Phoenix Goodyear Airport, United Aviate Academy is training the next generation of airline pilots. As a wholly owned subsidiary of United Airlines, the academy provides aspiring pilots with a direct path to the flight deck of a major carrier, offering an intensive training program, hands-on mentorship and a commitment to excellence.

“This is an opportunity to be a United Airlines pilot,” said Michael Hales, CEO of United Aviate Academy. “We are trying to get students through as quickly and efficiently as possible, but at the same time, I want a high-quality product at the end of this that I can then hand off to the airline."

With a nationwide pilot shortage continuing to impact the aviation industry, United Aviate Academy is working to fill the gap by training high-quality pilots while also creating opportunities for individuals who may not have previously considered aviation as a career.

United Aviate Academy is designed for students with little to no prior flight experience, preparing them to become fully certified pilots in about a year. The training begins with earning a private pilot license in as little as four months, followed by additional certifications needed for commercial aviation.

The program is rigorous, with students training in single-engine and multi-engine aircraft, as well as advanced simulators. The student-instructor ratio is 2-to-1, allowing for highly personalized instruction.

“It’s very fast-paced learning here. Within the first week, I was up in the air,” said Steven Lochhead, a student from Las Vegas. “It’s a little like drinking from the firehose, but there’s a lot to get done.”

That rapid pace means students must be highly disciplined and committed to their training.

“You really have to be passionate about aviation to succeed here,” Lochhead said. “I'm learning how to fly safely and at a professional standard, I want to get to that commercial level.”

United Aviate Academy offers a structured career path that guides students from their first flight lesson to a job with United Airlines. Many graduates stay on as instructors, helping train future students while accumulating flight hours required to advance in their careers.

Alex Doña, a certified flight instructor from Washington, D.C., took that path after completing the program.

“I joined the program with the idea of eventually flying for United,” Doña said. “Aviation has always been in my family—my dad was a navigator—so it kind of runs in the blood. When I had the opportunity here, I jumped on it and haven’t looked back.”

As an instructor, Doña is now responsible for training the next wave of pilots.

“We have to put the work in,” he said. “At the end of the day, it’s not just learning how to fly a plane. It’s learning how to fly a plane safely.”

Hales, who previously led aviation education programs at Delaware State University, said his experience in higher education has helped him anticipate and address challenges at the academy.

“A lot of the things that were successful for me at Delaware State University are applicable here,” he said. “This is purely flight training, but it’s also an educational institution, and many of the leadership concepts that apply in aviation education are needed here as well.”

According to Hales, United Aviate Academy stands apart from traditional flight schools by offering a clear career path with United Airlines. The program is highly competitive, with fewer than 10% of applicants accepted.

“This is a very highly selective program to get into,” Hales said. “We want the best and brightest, and we are setting them up for long-term success.”

Through United’s Aviate program, graduates can transition to flying for an Aviate United Express carrier or a Part 135 operator before eventually moving up to United Airlines. The academy also provides mentorship, coaching and early exposure to United’s culture.

With a training cost of approximately $89,000, United Aviate Academy offers financial assistance through scholarships and loan options. The academy partners with organizations such as the Latino Pilots Association, National Gay Pilots Association, Organization of Black Aerospace Professionals and Women in Aviation International to distribute scholarship funds.

But the academy’s investment extends beyond its students. Hales said the organization is also committed to supporting the local community.

“We realize we’ve got to fly friendly. That’s true regardless of whether there were complaints about us or not,” he said. “We are part of this community, we embrace this community. We’re providing jobs and revenue in this community, and we’re a huge revenue generator for Goodyear Airport as well as the greater Phoenix area.”

The academy operates the majority of flights at Goodyear Airport, though it is not the only flight school there. Hales said the academy has reviewed noise complaints and identified affected communities as part of its efforts to be a good neighbor.

“It’s an investment in the individual as well as the community, and then we become part of that success story for the student who ultimately perhaps catches the vision and decides, ‘Hey, I want to be a United pilot,’” he said.

United Aviate Academy is open to U.S. citizens and legal permanent residents who are at least 18 years old and hold a high school diploma or GED. Applicants must be able to train in provided aircraft with a height limit of 6 feet, 3 inches and a maximum weight of 250 pounds.

Applications are currently open through Tuesday April 15. The selection process includes assessments, a virtual behavioral interview and conditional acceptance before training begins.

For students who are accepted, the program requires a full-time commitment. Training takes place at the academy’s 340,000-square-foot facility at Phoenix Goodyear Airport, where students have access to state-of-the-art simulators, computer-based instruction and hands-on flight experience.

Visit apply.aviateacademy.com to submit applications and for more information.