Spirit Adds Tenth Pilot Pathway Partner

Virginia-based Liberty University has announced a new partnership with Spirit Airlines, becoming the tenth institution to join the ultra-low-cost carrier’s Spirit Wings Pilot Pathway program. Aimed at growing Spirit’s professional pilot pipeline, the program accepts applications from faculty-recommended students pursuing an aviation degree. Applicants who pass Spirit’s interview process receive…

American Matches Proposed United Pilot Contract in New Update

One week after United Airlines reached an Agreement in Principle (AIP) for a new $9 billion contract with its pilots, American Airlines has updated its own proposal to match United’s offer. American’s updated proposal added over $1 billion to the contract it proposed this Spring. American’s new contract matches the…

The Pros and Cons of the Two Paths to Becoming…

Any flight student or instructor is acutely aware of the two types of flight schools: Part 61 schools and Part 141. Though they get you to the same final destination – pilot certification – each has its own distinct qualities, and each is (usually) used either by pilots looking to…

SkyWest Adds $70,000 Training Bond For Foreign-Based Pilots

Regional carrier SkyWest Airlines has unveiled a new $70,100 training bond for foreign-based pilots hired at the company, Aero Crew News reports. The bond, which applies only to foreign pilots hired through a yet-unnamed firm, will require each new hire to commit to employment at SkyWest until they have completed…

WestJet Pilots, Company Reach Agreement After Canceling Dozens of Flights

Canada’s WestJet and Swoop airlines cancelled over 200 flights in response to an industrial dispute with 1800 pilots. CBC News reports that 92 flights due to operate on Thursday were cancelled in addition to strategic cancellations already made by the airline ahead of the long holiday weekend. "We are extremely…

Bill Raising Pilot Retirement Age to 67 Reintroduced in U.S.

A bill seeking to address flight cancellations, delays and service disruptions attributed to pilot shortages was reintroduced onto the United States Senate and House floors this week. The Let Experienced Pilots Fly Act ‘raises the mandatory retirement age for commercial pilots from 65 to 67 while maintaining the requirements for…

Opinion: Embrace the Absurdities of Flying Portrayed in Hollywood Films

The relationship between aircraft and film stretches back about 100 years to the early days of aviation. Film cameras initially captured aircraft performing stunts and planned crashes to excite cinema audiences and this evolved into aviation providing the backdrop for feature films. Indeed the first Best Picture Academy Award in…

IATA Moves to Have Age Limit For Pilots Removed

While the airline industry recovers from the drastic collapse in demand caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, airlines and airports worldwide are struggling to cope with the sudden uptick in demand triggered by the removal of many restrictions on international mobility. As the first “normal” summer in three years approaches its…

Spanish easyJet Pilots Begin the First of Three Strike Periods…

The Spanish Airline Pilots Union (Sindicato Español de Pilotos de Líneas Aéreas – SEPLA)  began on Friday, the first of three 72-hour strike periods called for August. The measure will run until next Sunday, while other days of protest will take place on 19, 20, 21, 27, 28 and 29…