Do you dream of a career of boundless horizons where the sky is literally the limit? Are you driven for a life of adventure and a strong financial future? If your goal is to fly for United but don't have flight experience, this is the place to start.
Getting admitted to United Aviate Academy
Minimum admissions requirements for United Aviate Academy:
- Are at least 18 years old
- Are a U.S. citizen or legal permanent resident (we do not sponsor foreign visas)
- Have a high school diploma or GED equivalent
- Ability to train in provided aircraft equipment with restricted height of 6’3” and max 250 pounds
What's next:
- Assessments
- Virtual behavioral interview
- Conditional acceptance
- Submit your request for information – Complete a brief online form with basic information about yourself to stay informed about application windows.
- Application window opening – Submit your application to UAA through the “Apply” link.
- Provide physical proof of U.S. citizenship and high school transcripts – Identification can be submitted in the form of 1) a valid U.S. passport OR 2) an original or certified copy of your birth certificate along with a government-issued photo ID.
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Hold a valid FAA First Class medical certificate.
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A valid, unrestricted first-class medical certificate is required for admission into the academy
- To get an unrestricted FAA first-class medical certificate, an FAA-designated Aviation Medical Examiner (AME) must examine you. You must contact an AME of your choosing, schedule an appointment, complete an official FAA application form via MedXPress and undergo a physical examination by an AME. The AME will issue you a medical certificate if you meet the appropriate medical standards. This Q&A page on the FAA website has more information and resources.
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A valid, unrestricted first-class medical certificate is required for admission into the academy
- Assessments – Take a series of online assessments so we can learn about you. The UAA assessment measures your aptitude for a career in aviation and is taken after submitting your application. We do not share specific information about the assessments.
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Virtual behavioral interview
- We conduct a virtual interview via MS Teams before your conditional admission.
- Provide Proof of Funding - Applicants must show proof that they have sufficient funds to cover the cost of training, including check rides and exam fees. The minimum amount is $111,700. Documents submitted must be in English. The financial services team will review all submissions for approval.
- Background and Drug Screening - All applicants will complete a thorough background check, including additional TSA screening protocols (if applicable) and a drug screening. Applicants will be notified via email 45 to 60 days before their assigned class date to complete both screening requirements.
- Enrollment Agreement - Accepted applicants must agree to and sign the United Aviate Academy Enrollment Agreement before enrollment and upon confirmation of start date availability.
Once you’re conditionally admitted:
Your path through United Aviate Academy into the Aviate program
Step 1 Fund your training
Program costs and financial assistance2025 program costs
- Private Pilot License (PPL) – $22,750*
- Instrument Rating (IR) – $17,000
- Commercial Single Engine (COM-SE) – $25,500
- Certified Flight Instructor (CFI) – $10,250
- Certified Flight Instructor Instrument (CFII) – $5,500
- Commercial Multi Engine (COM-ME) – $8,000
- 6 certificate total: $89,000
- Optional certificate: Multi Engine Instructor (MEI) – $ 9,250
- Required fee: Check rides with Designated Pilot Examiner (DPE) $9,700
- Required fee: Funding for supplemental training plans $13,000 (Refunded upon graduation if not used)
- Required fee: FAA Knowledge Exams $875 (Paid directly to testing center)
- Additional fee: Written Exam Retakes (if applicable)
- Additional fee: Check ride retakes (if applicable)
*All students who are admitted to United Aviate Academy with a Private Pilot License will be required to enroll into the Instrument Rating Transition Course. The cost of the Instrument Rating Transition Course is $5,000.
Applying for scholarships and loans
- You must first be accepted to United Aviate Academy to apply for a scholarship. Instructions will be provided to you then.
- Anyone can apply, regardless of race or gender identity. The scholarship funds are distributed through our partner organizations: Latino Pilots Association, National Gay Pilots Association, Organization of Black Aerospace Professionals, Professional Asian Pilots Association , Sisters of the Skies and Women in Aviation International. Each organization may have its own requirements.
- United Aviate Academy is offering three loan providers, ZuntaFi, Sallie Mae and Liberty Bank, to make loans available to cover expenses during your time at the academy
Step 2 Start your training – in as little as 4 months*
Go from zero flight hours to getting your private pilot license in four months*At United Aviate Academy, we will provide the best flight training to prepare you for a safe and successful career as a pilot. It is designed solely for applicants with little to no piloting experience, and the full course takes about a year to complete. You will be expected to commit to a full-time intensive course of study and flight activity a minimum of 5 days a week. Our innovative training program integrates:
- Computer-based instruction
- Ground training
- Aircraft flight training
Our 340,000 square-foot facility at Phoenix Goodyear Airport provides aspiring pilots with industry-leading resources, equipment and accommodations.
*All timelines are subject to change depending on aircraft availability, Designated Pilot Exam (DPE) availability, weather, students’ commitment to flight training, individual circumstances and various other factors.
Step 3 Continue your training
Gain experience and certifications- Instrument rating (IR) – in as little as 3 months*
- Commercial SE rating (CPLSE) – in as little as 3 months*
Once you hold your Commercial Pilot Certificate with Instrument Rating, you're ready for a final review to ensure you have maintained certain standards in order to be accepted into Aviate, United's industry-leading pilot development program.
Step 4 Aviate acceptance
Gain more visibility and direction over your career toward UnitedNow you're ready for a final review to ensure you have maintained certain standards in order to be accepted into Aviate, the most innovative pilot career development program in the industry.
When you are accepted into the Aviate program, you’ll gain access to:
- A direct path. Aviate participants can transition to United as a First Officer upon successful completion of the Aviate program and hiring requirements
- Travel privileges. Aviate participants enjoy travel privileges to United destinations around the world
- Coaching. Aviate participants will have the opportunity to participate in a coaching program and receive mentorship from United pilots
- Culture. You'll gain deeper connections with our United team, with access to senior leadership, site visits and tours, and an inside look at our culture
Step 5 Finish your pilot training – in as little as 10 months*
Gain your ratings and certificatesCongratulations! At this step, you have now been accepted into the Aviate program. To meet program eligibility requirements, you’ll need to complete your flight training and earn your ratings and certificates. While timing may vary, general timelines are:
- Certified Flight Instructor (CFI) – in as little as 2 months*
- Certified Flight Instructor Instrument (CFII) – in as little as 1 month*
- Commercial Multi Engine (ME) – in as little as 1 month*
- Multi Engine Flight Instructor (MEI) – in as little as 1 month*
*All timelines are subject to change depending on aircraft availability, Designated Pilot Exam (DPE) availability, weather, students’ commitment to flight training, individual circumstances and various other factors.
Step 6 Build toward your ATP certification
Gain experience by building hoursGreat news – you've officially completed your flight training at United Aviate Academy. What’s next? You’ll need to work toward your ATP hour requirement. Graduates can apply and may have the opportunity to gain valuable experience instructing as a CFI at United Aviate Academy or at one of Aviate’s partner institutions and Part 135 operators. While we have many quality partners, you can also work as a commercial pilot at another operator, instruct at your local airport, or build hours in any other manner that you would like.
Partner universities
Partner flight schools
Part 135 operators
Step 7 Congrats, pilot! Start flying for an Aviate United Express carrier or a Part 135 operator
Get excited – it’s a lot of flying!Now that you have reached ATP minimums, you are eligible to apply for a First Officer position at an Aviate United Express Carrier or an Aviate partner Part 135 operator.
Step 8 And finally, transition to a pilot career for United Airlines
You've made it to your dream careerOnce you attain all Aviate program experience requirements you may be eligible to transition to United as a First Officer.
For more information regarding transition requirements, please visit United Aviate.
Frequently asked questions
Eligibility
You must be at least 18 years old at the time of enrollment. There is no maximum age to enroll in the Academy; however, the Federal Aviation Administration does mandate that pilots retire at age 65.
To be eligible for United Aviate Academy, you must be a U.S. citizen or legal permanent resident. We do not sponsor foreign visas for United Aviate Academy.
If you are a legal permanent resident, additional steps and TSA requirements will be needed in addition to the UAA application.
Any applicant with certificates or ratings beyond a Private Pilot License will be unable to attend the Academy. Students who have accumulated hours towards their Instrument rating will be required to start from the beginning of the United Aviate Academy Instrument Rating course. Explore other entry points into the Aviate career pathway program.
The United Aviate Academy is designed for applicants with little to no piloting experience. Any applicants with more than a Private Pilot License (PPL) will receive credit for their PPL but will be required to complete the curriculum at United Aviate Academy for any ratings beyond a PPL. Another check ride for ratings already earned would not be required. Explore other entry points into the Aviate career pathway program.
Application process/assessments
Submission of High School Transcripts, diploma or GED will meet this requirement. College transcripts are also accepted.
You will need to pass a first-class medical exam, drug screen and background check.
Our current aircraft will comfortably accommodate pilots under 6' 3" and 250 pounds.
All students must relocate within a commutable distance to Goodyear, AZ to complete training. All flight and ground training will be completed in person and on campus. Online classes are not available.
Yes, the RFI is independent of the application process.
Full details about eligibility, assessments, admissions, tuition, scholarships and more are outlined in the admissions and program details.
The UAA application window is available twice yearly. If you are looking to apply during a closed window period, you can submit a Request for Information (RFI) or continue to check the website to stay informed.
We will be conducting a virtual behavioral interview via MS Teams prior to class placement.
If you are selected for the interview process, a link will be emailed to you to schedule your virtual interview.
To determine an applicant’s likelihood of success in training, and as a pilot at United, the United Aviate Academy uses a series of assessments to better understand personalities, skills and fit with the United culture. We are not sharing specific information about the assessments at this time. The UAA assessment involves a series of skill, aptitude and personality assessments to help us get to know you better and evaluate your candidacy for the Academy.
To get an FAA first-class medical certificate, an FAA-designated Aviation Medical Examiner (AME) must examine you. You must contact an AME of your choosing, schedule an appointment, complete an official FAA application form via MedXPress and undergo a physical examination by an AME. If you meet the appropriate medical standards, the AME will issue you a medical certificate.
All applicants are required to hold a valid FAA First-Class Medical certificate with first-class privileges throughout their training.
The FAA first-class medical must have your full legal name and must match your government-issued ID exactly. Abbreviations and initials are not acceptable. If your first-class medical does not match your Government Issued ID at this time, please do not upload until it is corrected.
- The only acceptable restriction is “must wear corrective lenses for vision."
- There are times that a “special issuance” will be provided. This is acceptable as far as a first-class medical is issued.
For more specific information see the FAA website: Medical Certification - Get a Medical Certificate | Federal Aviation Administration (faa.gov)
Communications will be sent throughout the application process to the email provided in your application.
You will be notified via email if your application is not accepted, but we are unable to provide specific feedback on why certain applicants were not successful.
Scholarships and loans
Acceptance into United Aviate Academy is a prerequisite for scholarship applicants, so the first step is applying for admission.
Once you are conditionally accepted into United Aviate Academy, you will have the option of applying for scholarships, if you are a member, through the following Professional Pilot Groups:
- Latino Pilots Association
- National Gay Pilots Association
- Organization of Black Aerospace Professionals
- Professional Asian Pilots Association
- Sisters of the Skies
- Women in Aviation International
Anyone can apply, regardless of race or gender identity. Each organization may have their own requirements.
These are external resources, not affiliated with UAA, that may assist in finding potential scholarship opportunities.
As part of our commitment to removing barriers, we partner with a variety of organizations to provide scholarship opportunities.
Full and partial scholarships are available through the Professional Pilot Groups.
UAA is not part of the scholarship awarding process.
Applicants are encouraged to seek scholarship opportunities from any source.
United Aviate Academy has partnered with ZuntaFi, Sallie Mae and Liberty Bank to offer loans to students to cover the cost of attendance.
After you are conditionally accepted into United Aviate Academy, you will have the option of applying for a loan.
Currently the Academy does not accept VA benefits.
Scheduling a class
Classes are available on a monthly cadence.
Location
United Aviate Academy is located in Goodyear, Arizona.
Full details about our facilities, housing, transportation and the area can be found on the website location page.
Training program/curriculum
While timing may vary, general timelines are:
- Private pilot training – in as little as 4 months*
- Instrument rating (IR) – in as little as 3 months*
- Commercial SE rating (CPLSE) – in as little as 3 months*
- Certified Flight Instructor (CFI) – in as little as 2 months*
- Certified Flight Instructor Instrument (CFII) – in as little as 1 month*
- Commercial Multi Engine (ME) – in as little as 1 month*
- Multi Engine Flight Instructor (MEI) – in as little as 1 month*
*All timelines are subject to change depending on aircraft availability, Designated Pilot Exam (DPE) availability, weather, students’ commitment to flight training, individual circumstances and various other factors.
To get you acclimated to the professional pilot lifestyle, training can be scheduled any day of the week and there are no extended holiday breaks.
At United Aviate Academy we currently observe the following federal holidays:
- News Year’s Day
- Thanksgiving
- Christmas Day
Students are expected to be available the days prior to and after holidays.
UAA operates a fleet of single-engine and multi-engine aircraft, complemented by advanced simulators as part of our curriculum. Additionally, we provide desktop trainers, allowing students to practice independently offline.
Access the student catalog for more program information.
Where to find us
United Aviate Academy is located in Goodyear, AZ.
We're not currently offering in-person tours, but you can learn more about our location or take a virtual campus tour below: