Finding the finance to pay for airline pilot training is a hot subject at the moment. Lenders are thin on the ground. However, in the US, American Airlines has partnered with an established finance company, Discover Student Loans, to do just that.
American Airlines launched a new programme to recruit cadet pilots earlier this week (only for US residents).
“We are thrilled to introduce this innovative programme that we believe can change the airline industry and provide aspiring pilots with a life changing opportunity,” said Capt. Kimball Stone, American’s vice president – Flight.
“The lack of financing options has restricted the size of the pilot pool, leaving some of the most talented people out of the running. By removing this roadblock from the student experience, we will attract a diverse group of professional aviators to American for years to come.”
Once selected, cadets will train for up to 18 months with one of American’s three flight school partners:
- American Flyers in Dallas, Texas and Pompano Beach, Florida
- Crew Training International (CTI) in Memphis, Tennessee
- CAE in Phoenix, Arizona.
John Vidovich, Vice President of Business Development for Discover Student Loans, said, “Our financing can be used to pay for all aspects of the training programme from start to finish, which helps eliminate any surprise costs so students can focus on becoming professional pilots.”
