United Aviate Academy Opens November 2026 Application Window for Aspiring Pilots

Arizona, USA – United Aviate Academy (UAA), the wholly owned ab-initio flight training subsidiary of United Airlines, has announced the reopening of its application window for aspiring pilots. Based at Phoenix Goodyear Airport in Arizona, the academy provides initial flight training and a pathway into United Airlines' Aviate pilot career development program, supporting the airline's long-term pilot recruitment requirements.

• The academy's published 2027 training costs total US$123,675 for students starting with no flight experience and US$121,975 for students already holding a Private Pilot License (PPL). Both options include US$99,000 in tuition, with additional fees covering certification events, examinations and supplemental training provisions.
• Applicants must be at least 18 years old, hold US citizenship or legal permanent residency, and have a high school diploma or equivalent. The admissions process also requires an unrestricted FAA First Class Medical Certificate, aptitude assessments, a behavioral interview, proof of funding and background screening.
• The training curriculum covers the Private Pilot License, Instrument Rating, Commercial Single-Engine and Multi-Engine qualifications, and Certified Flight Instructor qualifications. Students completing the relevant commercial pilot training requirements can progress into the wider Aviate program, which provides mentorship and a potential pathway to a United Airlines First Officer position upon meeting the applicable experience and hiring requirements.
• United Aviate Academy provides access to scholarship opportunities through aviation industry organisations, supported by a combined US$3.45 million in contributions from United Airlines, JPMorgan Chase and Boeing. Applicants must first secure admission to the academy before applying for these scholarship opportunities.
• AFM previously reported that United Aviate Academy opened applications for its Summer 2026 class in June. At that time, the academy reported cumulative student activity exceeding 100,000 flight hours, more than 2,000 aviation certificates earned and over 200,000 takeoffs and landings since opening in December 2021.
• The academy conducts its flight training using Cirrus SR20 single-engine aircraft and Diamond DA42 and Piper PA-44 Seminole multi-engine aircraft, supporting students through successive phases of their professional pilot training.

About United Aviate Academy
United Aviate Academy is a US-based ab-initio flight training organisation wholly owned by United Airlines, operating from a 340,000-square-foot campus at Phoenix Goodyear Airport in Arizona. The academy commenced operations in December 2021 and forms part of United Airlines' broader Aviate pilot career development ecosystem, connecting initial flight training with subsequent professional flying experience and airline employment opportunities.

Source: United Aviate Academy