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  4. I toured United's new flight school that's training the next generation amid a pilot shortage — see inside

I toured United's new flight school that's training the next generation amid a pilot shortage see inside

Jamie Killin   

I toured United's new flight school that's training the next generation amid a pilot shortage — see inside
United Airlines Aviate Academy.United Airlines
  • I went to United Airlines' new flight academy in Arizona. Most of the approximately 120 students are women and people of color.
  • Students can receive a private pilot's license and other certificates during the 12-month program.

United Airlines recently opened the Aviate Academy in Goodyear, Arizona — the only flight academy of its kind operated by a major airline in the country. I visited it.

United Airlines recently opened the Aviate Academy in Goodyear, Arizona — the only flight academy of its kind operated by a major airline in the country. I visited it.
Jamie Killin

The school currently has approximately 120 students, and it's adding about 30 students per month.

The school currently has approximately 120 students, and it
Jamie Killin

Marc Champion, United's managing director for flight training, told Insider data showed increased demand for air travel would require more pilots.

Marc Champion, United
United Airlines

United decided to create the Aviate program as part of its response.

United decided to create the Aviate program as part of its response.
Delta Air Lines

United chose Arizona due to its large number of blue-sky days and great weather for flight training.

United chose Arizona due to its large number of blue-sky days and great weather for flight training.
Jamie Killin

The United Aviate Academy is the first step for an aspiring United Airlines captain.

The United Aviate Academy is the first step for an aspiring United Airlines captain.
Delta Air Lines

Instead of earning several certifications separately from different places, students at the academy can receive their private pilot license and a variety of other certificates during a 12-month program.

Instead of earning several certifications separately from different places, students at the academy can receive their private pilot license and a variety of other certificates during a 12-month program.
Delta Air Lines

Then they move to "Aviate," a further training program where students build hours with United Airlines Aviate partners — like Go Jet or Air Wisconsin — before ultimately being hired by United Airlines.

Then they move to "Aviate," a further training program where students build hours with United Airlines Aviate partners — like Go Jet or Air Wisconsin — before ultimately being hired by United Airlines.
Jamie Killin

When I visited the academy, I met with three female student pilots — Abby Awosanya, 31 years old; Tunisia Solomon, 24; Grace Durbin, 21 — and Jill Mills, a United employee for more than 25 years.

When I visited the academy, I met with three female student pilots — Abby Awosanya, 31 years old; Tunisia Solomon, 24; Grace Durbin, 21 — and Jill Mills, a United employee for more than 25 years.
Jamie Killin

Mills currently serves as the chief pilot in Washington, where she oversees day-to-day operations and pilots.

Mills currently serves as the chief pilot in Washington, where she oversees day-to-day operations and pilots.
Jamie Killin

I arrived the day after a new class began the program, so Mills was in town to represent the pilot force and answer questions during a panel presentation.

I arrived the day after a new class began the program, so Mills was in town to represent the pilot force and answer questions during a panel presentation.
Jamie Killin

One goal of the academy is to make flying for a major airline — preferably United — more accessible to women and people of color.

One goal of the academy is to make flying for a major airline — preferably United — more accessible to women and people of color.
United Airline

Mills told Insider that at 7%, United has the second highest percentage of female pilots in the world. At the United Aviate Academy, 70% of the pilots in training are women and/or people of color.

Mills told Insider that at 7%, United has the second highest percentage of female pilots in the world. At the United Aviate Academy, 70% of the pilots in training are women and/or people of color.
Delta Air Lines

The women noted that having a group of peers to train with, as well as the ability to learn how to fly with Cirrus planes, attracted them to the program.

The women noted that having a group of peers to train with, as well as the ability to learn how to fly with Cirrus planes, attracted them to the program.
United Airlines

I was able to go on a quick flight with Solomon before her first official flight of the day.

I was able to go on a quick flight with Solomon before her first official flight of the day.
United Airlines

Solomon began flight training in college, when she was studying applied mathematics at the State University of New York. She learned about aviation through a friend and said she's loved it ever since.

Solomon began flight training in college, when she was studying applied mathematics at the State University of New York. She learned about aviation through a friend and said she
Jamie Killin

While I trusted Solomon and her instructor’s expertise, something about crawling into a plane so small that it requires entering by stepping on the wing started to invoke a feeling of terror in me.

While I trusted Solomon and her instructor’s expertise, something about crawling into a plane so small that it requires entering by stepping on the wing started to invoke a feeling of terror in me.
Jamie Killin

Getting the plane off the ground takes a while. I braced myself for our departure probably 10 times before our eventual takeoff.

Getting the plane off the ground takes a while. I braced myself for our departure probably 10 times before our eventual takeoff.
Jamie Killin

Fortunately, most of the time was spent doing a variety of checks, which made me feel slightly safer.

Fortunately, most of the time was spent doing a variety of checks, which made me feel slightly safer.
Jamie Killin

Eventually, we were in the skies and my worries began to melt away as I took in the desert landscape, flight schools and suburban sprawl of the city of Goodyear below us.

Eventually, we were in the skies and my worries began to melt away as I took in the desert landscape, flight schools and suburban sprawl of the city of Goodyear below us.
Jamie Killin

After a quick lap around the campus, it was time to land. My flight jitters started to kick in again, but Solomon landed expertly with less impact than I’ve come to expect from commercial flights.

After a quick lap around the campus, it was time to land. My flight jitters started to kick in again, but Solomon landed expertly with less impact than I’ve come to expect from commercial flights.
Jamie Killin

Solomon then continued her day of training with another supervised flight, moving one step closer to her dream of becoming a pilot.

Solomon then continued her day of training with another supervised flight, moving one step closer to her dream of becoming a pilot.
Jamie Killin

Upon finishing the academy, she'll move on to receiving her ATP certification, before flying for one of United's Express Aviate partners and finally becoming one of United Airlines' approximately 12,000 pilots.

Upon finishing the academy, she
Jamie Killin

The United Aviate Academy plans to grow its roster of pilots, which are in increasingly high demand, with a goal of training 5,000 by 2030.

The United Aviate Academy plans to grow its roster of pilots, which are in increasingly high demand, with a goal of training 5,000 by 2030.
United Airlines

By then, the enthusiastic pilots I met today will be well into their careers.

By then, the enthusiastic pilots I met today will be well into their careers.
United Airlines

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