United Aviate Academy – Better or Worse than College Programs? Episode 103

United Airlines just launched its own flight school. Does United Aviate Academy offer a better option for would-be pilots than college aviation programs?

Greg, John and Todd share first impressions. The program appears to be more expensive than other ways of earning pilot credentials and stops short of ATP certification.

They talk about why the program may be better or worse than college programs and private flight schools.

The new road rage? The Flight Safety Detectives also talk about the continued incidents of cabin disruptions caused by passengers who refuse to comply with federal mask mandates. Flights are being turned back, risking the safety of crew and passengers.

From the WTF files, Greg shares a recent incident where a pilot in NC swerved to miss a coyote, left the runway and hit a sign. What would you do – hit the sign or take out the coyote?

[reyesk]

I’m 23 years old. Im not really doing anything at life rn. But I feel in love with aviation since I took my discovery flight and I would love to fly as a career. I have applied to the academy with zero fly time and I just took my first assessments with United. I wish the best luck with everyone

[hughscot]

I would tell anyone to go to a real college for a 4 yr. degree just in case being an airline pilot doesn't work out. Then you have something to fall back on.

[Turbojets_Channel]

I can say with a level of accuracy that it’s still next to impossible to get hired at United without a college degree. I know 5 excellent pilots that have interviewed at UAL between Nov 2021 and Jan 2022 that have been turned down. All Airbus and Boeing pilots in their 30s and 40s, white and male

[jmhoug]

United's training team wrote the curriculum. The students are held to the United training standard. This is all according to the things I've seen United put out.

[pattyoplenty]

Love you guys! Thanks for another great show.

[Crookanator]

Is it worth it, in your own opinions to go to Aviate if I already hold a commercial license and instrument rating?

[mytech]

I may be a bit jaded from a couple decades in business and some related studies, but I don't trust the cadet programs. They seem to be purposefully avoiding those with mid level experience and targeting those who are young and exploitable, generally lacking the negotiating experience to see through the marketing to the relatively low value provided by the contract (And in some cases negative value as it locks the cadet into building hours at a limited number of partner companies.). The programs also seem to be doing double duty as a long term strategy to weaken the pilots' union by seeking those who have not been forged in the open market.

[ashleighrichardson]

It’s over 100 grand with living included, if you can get into dorms.

[sebrofc]

Spent a lot of time and effort to apply to Aviate Academy, made it pretty far but ultimately was rejected this morning (happy holidays to me). After fighting to become a pilot (and get some financial help) for nearly two decades now at 38 years old I now think it's now time to throw in the towel, hang it up and accept it's just not going to happen (which is not my style) but the writing is clearly on the wall to me. I'm glad that aviation is getting more diverse as it should but it certainly does feel like some are left in the dust. I just feel defeated and honestly do not know where to go from here as flying is the only thing that really makes me tick, that glimmer and sparkle of flying is amazing but I suppose I will figure out where to go from here.

[kkr]

So if you bypass a degree and go with United Aviate, would that be "good" for being accepted into another airline or just United?

[SkinnyPe]

So someone give me the answer, I need 100K in total for the program, the ratings, certifications, and etc?

[humanbeing]

The culture of the majority, since the creation of the USA has directly contributed to the rage on airplanes. The rage is encouraged in the school system as well. It's just shown a different way.

[ryanhuddleston]

Looking at aviation as a career opportunity, I was recently accepted into the Aviate academy. I have not formally started, but can answer questions about the process so far.

It’s expensive, actually more than posted online, but I’ve seen other part 141s such as ATP who are no less expensive.

[charleseinarson]

I second the fur jacket. My aunt swerved to avoid a dog on the road, hit the ditch and rolled her car into a telephone pole. I’ll try to avoid birds when flying for obvious reasons but nearly turned a flock of crows into smoothies during a landing rollout. Soft is better…