SkyWest Airlines visits Acron Aviation Academy for Pilot Pathway Program orientation

Officials from SkyWest Airlines met with cadets and instructors at Acron Aviation Academy on Dec. 3, 2025 about the airline’s Pilot Pathway Program.

The visit marks the latest commercial airline to visit Acron Aviation Academy’s campus at Orlando Sanford International Airport to speak with students and Certified Flight Instructors (CFIs) about the airline, Pilot Pathways and other opportunities open to them.

Acron Aviation Academy is an Elite Partner with SkyWest, and the airline offers tuition reimbursements up to $17,500.

“Every airline partner’s program and criteria is unique, but the purpose for all is to recruit our instructors to join, starting with the regional airlines, and eventually connecting to the major airlines for those who desire that,” said David Cox, Director of Acron Aviation Academy.

SkyWest Airlines and other partners offer tuition reimbursement and mentor programs, providing a direct path to the flight deck for exceptional pilots with a desire to take control of their aviation careers.

Through these partnerships with major airlines, SkyWest Airlines captains are offered a Guaranteed Pilot Interview Program with Delta, United and Alaska Airlines.

Becoming a pilot can be a rewarding and lucrative career. Newer pilots working for a regional airline can earn up to $120k annually, while more experienced pilots working for major airlines can easily earn $200k-$350k per year, and then enjoy bonuses, profit sharing, and other perks.

And the job demand is high, with the industry currently facing a national pilot shortage. An estimated 123,000 pilots are needed by 2029 in North America alone.

How to become a pilot with SkyWest Airlines

Becoming a pilot at SkyWest Airlines isn’t just about accumulating hours. It’s about following a focused training pipeline that prepares you for the high standards of commercial aviation.

SkyWest Airlines is one of the largest regional airlines in the world, operating a vast network of flights across North America through capacity purchase agreements with major network carriers. Because of these partnerships, becoming a pilot with SkyWest Airlines provides pilots with direct paths to flying with major carriers like Delta, United and Alaska Airlines.

This program is designed for aspiring pilots currently enrolled in flight training or actively building time, offering invaluable benefits like enhanced company seniority - which impacts bidding power and benefits - mentorship from active SkyWest pilots, interview preparation, and, most importantly, a guaranteed final interview for a First Officer position once you meet the flight hour requirements.

Joining the pathway is the smartest way to ensure you're a known, prepared candidate when it's time to apply for the flight deck.

Qualifications for First Officer with SkyWest Airlines

To qualify for the First Officer position, you must first secure your required FAA certifications, including a Commercial Pilot Certificate with Instrument and Multi-Engine Ratings, and a current First-Class Medical Certificate.

The key hurdle is meeting the FAA's minimum required flight hours to earn your Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) or Restricted ATP (R-ATP) certificate. While the full ATP requires 1,500 total hours, SkyWest actively recruits candidates who qualify for the R-ATP, which can reduce the hour requirement to 1,250, 1,000, or even 750 hours, depending on your level of education.

Many cadets bridge this gap by working as Certified Flight Instructors (CFIs) at one of SkyWest's partner flight schools like Acron Aviation Academy. This allows them to rapidly build experience while receiving benefits and tuition reimbursement from SkyWest.

“SkyWest is a desirable partner for many as they operate as the regional airline for four of the major carriers,” said Cox. “Our partnerships are valuable to help cadets prepare for and connect to real pilot careers.”