Career Pathways and How PEA Helps You Decide
Passengers in a plane tend to see the outcome of a pilot’s training – flying them through the skies to get to their destination; however, what they don’t always see is the training and dedication it takes to become a pilot. There are definitely many benefits to being a pilot: traveling the world, unbeatable views, flexible schedules, and flying benefits are just a few to list. (Blue Line Aviation, 2022). At Phoenix East Aviation we strive to see our student’s dreams take flight, and one way to help them achieve that is by having partnerships and career pathways with different airlines.
Recently, Phoenix East Aviation officially announced our new partnership with Republic Airways. The Republic Airways and PEA Career Pipeline Interview Program provides preferential interviews to any PEA graduate who qualifies. This program increases employment opportunities for PEA students and graduates.
As a flight school, having partnerships with airlines, is important because it offers our students the opportunity to network with potential employers and get their questions answered directly from a recruiter. It is our responsibility as the professional pilot training school, to not only train our students to become successful pilots, but also set them up for success by helping them connect and create relations with airlines they could potentially have a career with after their training is complete. The aviation industry has ramped up in all facets and the aviation workforce must grow to support this demand. A statement in the 2022 Boeing Pilot and Technician Outlook “demand for pilots is likely to soar. Projections indicate that, over the next 20 years, 602,000 new pilots will be needed to meet demand from commercial operators” is an eye-opening summary of this demand.
This new partnership is in addition to the partnership that PEA already has with Aviate, United Airlines pathway program. This pilot career program, where students who apply for the pathway program and are accepted, have a direct path to United’s flight deck. Since this is a program by United, it also brings the opportunity to work with United Express Carriers.
These programs are also important because they guide the student through their career decision-making process during their flight training. There are many special perks that are beneficial to our student pilots, such as mentorship opportunities with current airline pilots, to invitations for company events, it helps broaden the thought process on the airline selection process. We also host airline visits on campus which give students the opportunity to network with pilot recruiters and ask any questions they may have. The thought of flying a plane when you are still in training seems like a ‘mission accomplished’ pat on the back. However, the reality is, when you get to that next step, this is your career. PEA wants to ensure while you have that thrill of flying, you will also have the thrill of doing so with the right airline for you!
“In the air transport business more than any other. the human element is everything. That big plane in front of the hangar is only as good as the man who flies it, and he is only as good as the people on the ground who with him.”
-W.A. (Pat) Patterson former President United Airlines
Want to learn more about the student and instructor life at PEA? Check us out on all major social media platforms to get the inside scoop!
Please see below the articles for more information:
- “Boeing.” Commercial Pilot, Civil Pilot, Aviation Technician & Cabin Crew Demand Outlook, https://www.boeing.com/commercial/market/pilot-technician-outlook/
- Aviation, Blue Line. “Perks of Being a Commercial Airline Pilot.” Blue Line Aviation, Blue Line Aviation LLC, 3 Feb. 2022, https://www.bluelineaviation.com/blog/perks-being-commercial-airline-pilot