Frontier Airlines has initiated a Pilot Cadet Program to address the national pilot shortage. Frontier Airlines is now offering a program that includes flight training at one of over 70 ATP Flight School campuses throughout the United States, a modest stipend and, upon completion of requirements, a guaranteed slot as a Frontier Airlines first officer.
Pilot Cadet Program requirements
Photo: Airbus
In order to enter Frontier Airlines’ Pilot Cadet Program, candidates must prove they can be a flexible and mobile professional, pass an FAA First Class Medical, travel globally, and obtain ATP financing and tuition. If they meet the requirements, there are then multiple levels of interviews, background checks and the medical to get past in order to enter the program.
Once meeting the requirements, the training lasts for two years, and includes:
- First Year
- Private Pilot
- Instrument
- Commercial Single Engine
- Commercial Multi-Engine
- Certified Flight Instructor
- Certified Flight Instructor Instrument
- Multi-Engine Flight Instructor
- Second Year
- Build experience and time by flight instructing or flying for a 135 operation
The entire second year is required due to FAA rules regarding flying for an air carrier under an Airline Transport Pilot License – all pilots must hold 1,500 qualifying flight hours. These regulations changed in the wake of the Colgan Air Flight 3407 tragedy.
Frontier Airlines will give pilots in the program a $500 monthly stipend for the 24 months the program takes to prepare to become a Frontier Airlines first officer.
Brad Lambert, Vice President of Flight Operations for Frontier Airlines, told 9 News,
“We’ll have a mentor program to keep an eye on them as they go through their training as they go through experience building.”
This way, Frontier Airlines can help cadets make the right choices to persevere to a First Officer job at Frontier Airlines.
Frontier Airlines’ goals
Photo: Frontier Airlines
The plan is to take 35 cadets a month through the program. As Lambert stated, the goal is to get “safe, proficient pilots by the time they will come to us.” Once they arrive, they will be taught the art of flying Frontier Airlines’ jetliners.
To Lambert;
“It’s almost like a journeyman process where you spend three or four years learning your trade before moving over to the left seat. So they will be first officers for several years, before moving over to the Captain’s seat.”
With Frontier Airlines acquiring new aircraft – namely the Airbus A321neo – now might be the time to consider programs such as this.
Other US airlines also offer similar programs
Photo: Alaska Airlines
Many other airlines have similar programs designed to pluck candidates off the metaphorical street and into the First Officer’s seat on their commercial aircraft. Alaska Airlines’ Ascend Pilot Academy is an example, as is United Airlines’ Aviate Academy. Delta Air Lines also has a Propel Pilot Career Path Program, while in Europe, Germany’s Lufthansa, and Iberia have their own programs too.
With a shortage of talent across the industry persisting in the post-COVID world, airlines are keen to develop the people they need for many years to come.
Do programs like Frontier’s Pilot Cadet Program interest you? Please share in the comments.
Source: 9 News
