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10 Airline Training Programs For Pilots & Maintenance Personnel

simpleflying.com 2025/2/9
aircraft maintenance
Photo: Fasttailwind | Shutterstock

The aviation industry is supported by an extensive apparatus of training institutions and programs that allow the next generation of pilots, technicians and other professionals to graduate into the industry. Some of these training courses are run by educational institutes, or others may be operated by the airline itself.

Given the highly technical and expert nature of flying or maintaining a plane, standards are very high when it comes to training and earning your certifications. Thankfully, there are plenty of programs out there offering comprehensive training and experience if you are interested in becoming a pilot or maintenance technician.

1 Delta's Propel Pilot Career Path Program

Delta Air Lines
runs a scheme called the 'Propel Pilot Career Path Program' which gives aspiring pilots a clear pathway to a job with the carrier or its subsidiary, Endeavor Air. This program consists of three tailored paths - Collegiate, Company, and Certified Flight Instructor (CFI).

During the course, recruits will benefit from personal mentorship by Delta pilots who will guide them through the entire process of becoming a commercial pilot. This will first entail flying under Endeavor and completing Endeavor’s Career Advancement Program (CAP) before progressing to a mainline Delta flight deck position.

Collegiate

This offers a path for current college students to graduate to a commercial pilot through a Qualified Job Offer (QJO). Several partner universities are involved in this scheme, where trainees will accumulate their flight hours - eligibility is for students who have received their Private Pilot certificate and completed at least one Part-141 flight course at their institution.

Certified Flight Instructor (CFI)

Qualified flight instructors at ATP, Skyborne Airline Academy, Academy of Aviation, and Superior Flight School can receive a Qualified Job Offer (QJO) to becoming a Delta or Endeavor pilot. Applicants must be active flight instructors with between 500 and 1,250 total hours, as well as Instrument rating and Commercial certificate from their flight school.

Delta Air Lines Boeing 737s in Cabo, Mexico shutterstock_1989457091

Photo: Angel DiBilio | Shutterstock

Company

Delta employees can undertake the training and certification to become a commercial pilot through the airline's Company Pilot Career Path. This is available to employees who have been with Delta for a minimum of two years and with at least 100 hours of flight time.

2 United Calibrate

United Calibrate is how

United Airlines brings in the next generation of aircraft maintenance technicians (AMT) and ground technicians. This full-time program offers candidates a pathway to becoming a United employee in three distinct areas - Aircraft Maintenance, Facilities Maintenance and Ground Service Equipment Maintenance.

united calibrate

Photo: United

Notably, candidates will have the opportunity to earn during the course from Day 1, with each path offering two years of paid-on-the-job training (currently at $27.60/hr). This program is currently offered in Houston, San Francisco, Orlando, Los Angeles, Portland, Washington, D.C., Denver, Chicago and New Jersey, with United promising more locations in time.

3 Southwest's Destination 225° Cadet Pathway

Southwest Airlines
promises that its Destination 225° Cadet Pathway program can see graduates rise to become first officers with the low-cost carrier in as little as four years.

Southwest Airlines Boeing 737 MAX 8 landing at Las Vegas Harry Reid International Airport LAS

Photo: Robin Guess | Shutterstock

In partnership with CAE in Mesa, Arizona, SkyWarrior in Pensacola, Florida, and US Aviation in Denton, Texas, this program first involves full-time training for around 13 months, learning during 40-hour weeks to give applicants all the necessary ratings to become a CFI. Then, candidates will work as a flight instructor before progressing to a Southwest first officer.

This scheme doesn't come cheap, with Southwest estimating the cost at between $88,000 to $116,000. However, it says candidates will receive competitive compensation when working during the course.

4 Ryanair Engineering Training Academy

The world's second-largest low-cost carrier procures fresh talent for its maintenance and engineering operations via its Engineering Training Academy. With no previous experience required, the academy lets technicians start from scratch to become fully-fledged Ryanair employees, such as aircraft mechanics or licensed engineers.

Ryanair Boeing 737 MAX 8 200 in Renton shutterstock_1594204099

Photo: Jack Darling Photo | Shutterstock

The scheme's longest route is a four-year engineering apprenticeship available in Prestwick, Stansted, Dublin and Shannon. This will see applicants progress from the classroom to gain hands-on practical experience in maintaining aircraft and obtaining qualifications.

It also offers a 24-month Junior Aircraft Engineer Programme, half of which is in the classroom and the other half in a maintenance environment, or a short 12-week Trainee Mechanic Programme for candidates with previous industry experience.

5 Emirates Flight Training Academy

Becoming a pilot with Emirates , one of the world's leading carriers, has never been easier thanks to its Emirates Flight Training Academy (EFTA). Located at Dubai World Central (DWC), the state-of-the-art academy takes applicants from zero flight hours to a fully qualified commercial pilot.

Emirates 428-seat 777-300ER-1

Conducted over two years, trainees will participate five days per week in classroom learning and practical experience - this includes Ground School for 50 weeks before transitioning to single-engine, multi-engine, and jet orientation training.

Boeing has also contributed to the course by providing tailor-made software for training recruits. Emirates has a large fleet of around 140 Boeing 777 aircraft and has outstanding orders for the Boeing 787 Dreamliner and Boeing 777X.

6 Emirates Engineering Training College

Emirates is also at the forefront of global engineering training with a specialized college for aircraft maintenance called Emirates Engineering Training College. Located at its Engineering Maintenance Centre facility on the outskirts of Dubai, applicants can enrol on a Basic or Advanced program.

This includes aircraft type and 145 type training for the Airbus A380, Boeing 777, and Airbus A318/319/320/321 family of aircraft, along with a wealth of other general and specialized courses. Learning will include in-classroom and hands-on practical experience, including sessions with Aircraft Procedural Trainers (APTs).

7 British Airways Speedbird Pilot Academy

British Airways launched its Speedbird Pilot Academy less than 18 months ago and has seen huge demand for the limited number of places on the program. In fact, during its first round of new candidates, the airline received 20,000 applications for just 100 positions, leading it to launch a second lot of new positions early in 2024.

BA Speedbird Academy

Photo: British Airways

The main reason for the scheme's popularity is that it covers the full cost of becoming a pilot, which BA puts at around £100,000 ($122,000). As for the practicalities of the course, applicants can expect 6-8 months of ground school before six months of basic flight training, then another 4-6 months of advanced flight training, among other experience.

The Speedbird Pilot Academy is part of BA's huge £7 billion ($8.56 billion) investment in modernizing its entire operation from the ground-up. Interested pilots will be pleased to hear that the scheme is due to open for another round of applications in February 2025.

8 SIA Engineering Training Academy

The Singapore Airlines subsidiary maintains a wide range of aerospace-related training programs both in Singapore and globally. The company's Basic Training Courses are ideal for newcomers to the industry, while it also offers multiple aircraft type courses.

A Singapore Airlines Airbus A380 flying in the sky.

Photo: JEERAPAN JANKAEW | Shutterstock

Job opportunities after graduation are plentiful as SIA Engineering counts around 80 global airlines and companies as its clientele. Additionally, it provides line maintenance at over 35 global airports.

9 easyJet Generation Pilot Training Programme

The easyJet Generation Pilot Training Programme has proven a success for the British low-cost airline, helping it to recruit hundreds of new pilots each year. In 2024, the carrier reopened the scheme to another 200 applicants, placing a particular emphasis on female applicants to help narrow the pilot gender gap.

It offers a few different paths under the programme, including a full-time Integrated ATPL, Type Rating training and more. Applicants will learn from experienced pilots and also use the latest technology, including CAE 7000XR A320 Full Flight Simulators. Importantly for those wanting a career guarantee, completion of the course will always lead to a first officer position onboard an easyJet Airbus A320.

10 Lufthansa Technical Training

Lufthansa Technik, the maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) division of German carrier Lufthansa, offers hundreds of training and certification courses that have enabled it to remain one of the world's leading aircraft technical experts.

Photo: Lufthansa Technik

The company's Vocation Training is ideal for young newcomers to the industry, while it offers courses all the way from start to finish, including Basic Training and Aircraft Type Training.

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