Not2old2fly

Hi,

I recently joined this forum after hearing about the United Aviate Academy, which I did apply for, and I asked for consideration in the fall of this year. And I am asked to do the 2nd round of the application process.

But before going any further, I did see that Alaska Airlines is now offering a similar program to United, covering portion of the private pilot license, and offering some financial assistants for later training.

UAL Aviate Academy is based in Goodyear, AZ, whereas ASA Ascent Pilot Academy is based outside Portland, OR - any advantage to either location?

And I fully understand that you will have to fly for regional airlines to built up hours, any differences between Horizon Air and United Express?

And one important thing, should I or anyone that has any interests being an airline pilot get a medical certificate through a FAA-approved AME before even enrolling in any flight school?

Myfingershurt

Absolutely get a first class medical before starting any training if your goal is to be an airline pilot. If you don’t qualify medically why bother forking over all that money. United seems to be a much better career path at this point than Alaska. Training in Arizona would likely be more efficient than training in Oregon simply for the number of better weather days.

tripodd

I am currently at the school you mentioned. Alaska has partnered with my school - Hillsboro Aero Academy as the 'Ascend Pilot Academy'.

I don't know much about how good/bad United Aviate Academy is but my school is pretty good in terms of cost of training and the quality of training is fairly good. Portland is not as sunny as Phoenix so you will have lesser flyable days here but personally, I don't see that as a big deal. On the flip side, a big advantage of training here is that you get a lot actual IMC time i.e. flying in the clouds; it is overall a great experience for your instrument training if you do decide to fly in Portland.

One thing I like about the school is that the practice area is very close to the school and the general area is pretty favorable for training in general. I am sure it is true for both schools but the training is pretty accelerated and it is very much a full time thing. Good luck with your training and let me know if you have any other questions.

tripodd

That is correct, you technically do get more flyable days in Arizona. I just think it is not a good representation of how much you would fly though. Flying on a 110 degree day with no air conditioner in the aircraft is not exactly the best way to learn something and I just think that if you are spending thousands of dollars, just try to enjoy flying. Doing it just because you need to finish 'x' amount of days sooner is just something you might regret later, enjoy the process. The Wx in Portland imo is great to live in, not extreme at all.

You get to learn how to deal with icing and make go/no-go decisions with that happening, you also get a ton of actual IMC time which is always great.

tm602

I'll second that. I gave 3000 dual out here. Our 6-7 months of hell are not conducive to good training.

Not2old2fly

I did complete the 2nd round of application process at United last week, the results will be know soon.

I do have a brother that lives in Bellevue, WA, but he lives in a studio with not much room to spare. Going to either the United Aviate or Alaska Ascent will require me to move out from Minnesota.

Got a lot of things ahead, keeping my fingers crossed.

AirmanWoody

I'm working with Liberty University and AV8 at FCM starting in about 3 weeks.

I really don't want to move to any of the training areas. Hoping that when I finish my degree program I can get a CFI or Part 135 job in the region until I can flow forward.

Going back to school at 42 doesn't really sound great.... Flying yes, classes...not so much.

AviationAl

Hello! I was wondering what the interview process was like with the ascend program I’m doing my interview soon and was hoping to get some in sight on what to study!