American is proud to announce the creation of the American Airlines Cadet Academy, designed to help build the next generation of pilots. The Cadet Academy is a first-of-its-kind program providing aspiring pilots who have demonstrated dedication and commitment to their studies and communities, and a passion for flying, with the opportunity to receive the training, financing and mentoring opportunities necessary to fly for the world’s largest airline.

Once selected, cadets will choose to train full-time at one of American’s three partner flight schools: CTI, CAE and American Flyers in four locations including Millington, Tennessee; Phoenix, Arizona; Dallas, Texas; and Pompano Beach, Florida. The Cadet Academy is designed to assist prospective pilots with a defined career track that eliminates the complexity and uncertainty traditionally associated with flight training certification. In doing so, American will help grow the pool of professional pilots while creating greater diversity with a financing opportunity for flight training from start to finish.

To support this effort, American has partnered with Discover Student Loans (DSL) to provide qualified cadets with variable or fixed-interest rate private student loans including zero fees and deferred payments for up to three and a half years. Cadets accepted into the program can apply for a loan up to $100,000. Training costs at American’s partner flight schools range from $73,000 to $90,000. Cadets will spend approximately 18 months in flight school, followed by up to two years of hour-building in order to graduate.

Upon graduation, each cadet will be invited to interview with American’s three wholly owned regional carriers – Envoy, PSA and Piedmont. While a job is not guaranteed, because of the significant demand for pilots and instructors over the next several decades, American expects the majority of participants to become employed as flight instructors, and ultimately first officers at AAG wholly-owned carriers. Once there, first officers typically reach the Captain’s seat within two years and, thanks to the flow-through agreements, pilots will eventually move up – in seniority order – to fly jets at American.

To learn more about this unique program, visit aacadetacademy.com.