American Airlines Cadet Academy has announced that ATP Flight School in Charlotte, North Carolina, has joined as its newest partner, reinforcing American’s commitment to provide clear and accessible pathways for aspiring commercial airline pilots.

Cadets attending ATP will have access to state-of the art flight simulators and aircraft and have opportunities to connect with American pilot mentors who will support their training by providing personalised guidance and support.

The Cadet Academy also collaborates with the American Airlines Federal Credit Union, which offers financial options for candidates who are accepted into the program.

ATP has been a longtime flight school partner with American’s wholly owned regional carriers, with over 1,500 of its graduates’ joining airlines like Envoy, Piedmont, and PSA since 2004.

American’s executive vice president of American Eagle, corporate real estate and government affairs, Nathan Gatten, who leads the American Airlines Cadet Academy management teams, said of the expansion: “We’re excited to welcome ATP’s Charlotte location to our growing network of flight school partners. We’re providing access to high-quality training in a region that is very important to our operation, strengthening our efforts to maintain a sustainable pilot workforce.”

Cadet Academy graduates will have guaranteed placement at one of American’s regional carriers upon training completion, to facilitate the transition into a mainline career.

Currently, there are approximately 900 cadets enrolled in the Cadet Academy and the first class of cadets at ATP’s Charlotte campus is expected in August. In anticipation of the arrival, ATP is opening a new hangar and simulator bay, and a testing centre.

Ashley Pillon, director of airline and corporate partnerships at ATP Flight School, also commented on the partnership: “We are thrilled to add this partnership alongside our longstanding rapport with American’s wholly owned regional carriers, and in doing so, to provide aspiring pilots with the airline-oriented flight training that ATP offers in the world’s largest flight training fleet on an efficient, achievable timeline.”