American Airlines expands pilot training program to Charlotte area with flight academy deal
American Airlines is expanding its pilot academy training to the Charlotte region through a partnership with the country’s largest flight school, the airline announced Tuesday.
ATP Flight School and the Fort Worth, Texas-based airline will welcome the first class of students in August. The American Airlines Cadet Academy trains students to fly commercial planes. It will be located at Concord–Padgett Regional Airport, according to American’s network of flight schools.
“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,” stated Nathan Gatten, American’s executive vice president of American Eagle, corporate real estate and government affairs.
Along with training, cadets also will have access to flight simulations, aircraft and American pilot mentors to provide support. ATP is adding a new hangar, simulator bay, testing and other amenities for the academy in Mecklenburg County, according to American. Those costs were not immediately available.
Ashley Pillon, ATP director of airline and corporate partnerships, said the deal provides a clear path for people to work at American Airlines.
Approximately 900 people are currently enrolled in the Cadet Academy. American is accepting applications for students at aacadetacademy.com.
More than 1,500 students have graduated from ATP since 2004 and joined airlines such as Envoy, Piedmont and PSA, which are wholly-owned subsidiaries of American. After completing the program, American Airline graduates will be placed with one of the company’s smaller regional carriers before transferring to larger aircraft with longer routes.
More on ATP and American Airlines
Florida-based ATP was established in 1984 and operates more than 80 flight schools across the U.S.
It has a training fleet with more than 600 aircraft. Along with American, some of ATP’s partner airlines include Delta, United, Frontier and Spirit.
American Airlines offers thousands of daily flights to more than 350 destinations in more than 60 countries. Charlotte Douglas International Airport is the second largest hub for American, which accounts for about 90% of all flights out of the airport.
This story was originally published March 19, 2025 at 5:10 AM with the headline "American Airlines expands pilot training program to Charlotte area with flight academy deal."
