American Airlines and Spartan College of Aeronautics and Technology (Spartan) have announced a new partnership to expand the American Airlines Cadet Academy for aspiring pilots. Spartan, based in Tulsa, Oklahoma, is the Cadet Academy’s first collegiate partner offering an Associate of Applied Science degree in Aviation Flight and increases its training network to five locations.
“The American Airlines Cadet Academy is designed to address all of the obstacles associated with a traditional flight training path,” said Christina Flores, Managing Director of Aviation Recruiting and Programmes at American Airlines. “We are thrilled to offer a new pathway which includes building flight time while working towards a college degree with the support of mentorship and financial aid.”
Through this new partnership with Spartan College, American Airlines cadets have an opportunity to earn their FAA certificates and ratings, as well as their Associate of Applied Science degree. The Aviation Flight programme at Spartan College can be completed in as few as 17 months with reduced ATP hours, housing options and financial aid for those who qualify. Certified flight instructors may also continue their education to earn a Bachelor of Science in Technology Management degree from Spartan.
Since its launch in 2018, nearly 700 cadets have entered the Cadet Academy, and more than 100 have already graduated with the programme.
The American Airlines Cadet Academy has a unique financial partnership dedicated to supporting cadets entering the programme. The goal is to eliminate the financial barriers prospective pilots face and support the growth of the pilot population while creating greater diversity among future and current pilot ranks.