Q- How long does the Professional Pilot Course take to complete?
A- If you are starting Delta Connection Academy’s Professional Pilot Course with no experience the training stage of the program will take approximately 12 months to complete. However, the duration of the program may vary based on your individual ability, and dedication applied towards the program. If you hold pilot certificates, the length of the program may be shorter.
Q- What pilot certificates will I acquire at Delta Connection Academy?
A- If you are starting without any flight experience and enroll in our Professional Pilot Course, you will earn 7 pilot certificates/ratings at the time of completion of our program. You will earn Private, Instrument (IFR), Commercial Single Engine Land (CSE), Commercial Multi Engine Land (CME), Certified Flight Instructor (CFI), Certified Flight Instructor Instrument (CFII) and Multi Engine Instructor (MEI) certificates during your training at the Academy.
Q- Once I finish the Professional Pilot Course, will I be able to instruct at the school to build flight hours?
A-The Delta Connection Academy guarantees its students an interview to become a paid flight instructor at the Academy. Please keep in mind, it is an “interview” for a flight instructor position and does not guarantee employment as a flight instructor. As with the airlines, the academy is looking for safe pilots with great attitudes and great work ethics. To date we have hired an average of 85% of the students who graduate our program as flight instructors.
Q-How many hours are required to get hired at the airlines?
A-Most regional airlines have a minimum flight time requirement between 600 to 1500 hours of total flight time, of which 100 to 200 hours must be logged in a multi engine aircraft. Please keep in mind these are ‘minimum’ requirements. The airlines also have competitive experience minimums, which are usually several hundred hours over the stated ‘minimum’ requirements, and is commonly the level of experience needed to gain employment with the hiring airline. At Delta Connection Academy, our Airline partners hire our graduate flight instructors with of 1000 hours of total flight time, of which 100 hours is in multi-engine aircraft. This is primarily due to the quality airline standardized training, and industry reputation of our program and graduates.
Once you have completed your flight instructor phase at the Academy, we will begin the process of getting you placed with an airline. In the last two years (2005 & 2006 we have placed 275 of our graduates with regional airlines throughout the country.
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Q- Does Delta Connection Academy include any Jet Transition Training in its program?
A- Yes. Once our flight instructor graduates complete the instructor phase, they begin the Jet Transition Training Program. The Jet Transition Training program is an intensive two week course covering many aspects of flying the modern day regional jet. It covers Advanced Systems and Aerodynamics, Electronic Flight Information Systems (EFIS), Crew Resource Management, High Altitude Meteorology, high speed approaches and other airline procedures. The course is taught by current First Officers flying at our regional airline partners and by major airline pilots.
Q- Do I need a type rating to get hired at an airline?
A- No. The hiring airline will provide you with the necessary training and credentials for you to be able to fly the aircraft you have been selected to fly. In fact, the airlines pay this training for you. It usually costs a regional airline between $15,000 to $30,000 to provide you with the necessary training to fly their aircraft.
Q- Do I need a college degree to get hired on at a regional airline?
A- No. Most regional airlines do not require a college degree. However, some airlines may prefer it. If you are interested in obtaining a college degree, please visit our college partners page. The Delta Connection Academy offers 2 and 4 year degrees through several colleges and universities throughout the country. We also have an articulation agreement with Mountain State University, whereby you are able to attend the Academy’s Sanford location on a full-time basis and obtain your 4 year college degree with MSU, simultaneously. MSU offers a full-time as well as a distance learning program.
Q- Is Delta Connection Academy Accredited?
A- Yes. We are accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges of Technology (ACCSCT), allowing us to offer numerous financial aid options to our students. Please see the accreditation page of our web site for further information.
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Q- Is there financing available?
A-Yes. As a nationally accredited flight school, Delta Connection Academy has numerous lending options for its students. In most cases, our lenders can provide up to 100% of all your pilot school tuition, housing, and living expenses. Best yet, with certain loan sources, you do not have to begin repayment until 6 months after graduation. In fact, you can get pre-approved for financing today, by simply completing our easy one-page financial aid form. Just visit our financing options page for more details. You may also contact one of our highly training financial aid advisors at 1-800-U-CAN-FLY, should you have any questions.
Q- Can I use any VA benefits?
A-Yes. The Delta Connection Academy is a VA Approved FAR Part 141 Flight School. Please visit our VA Students page for further details.
Q- Does the academy offer housing?
A-Yes. Delta Connection Academy offers two bedroom, two bath, fully furnished apartment to its students in need of housing. The apartments are shared with another student. You will have your own bedroom and bathroom, and share the common areas with your roommate. Please contact your admissions officer for cost and availability. There are also many housing options in the area if choose not to use Academy housing.
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Q- Can I work while training in the academy?
A- We encourage our students to train full time to get their training finished and be off the airlines quickly. Our full-time accelerated program is structured and intense, which is why we do not recommend holding employment while in training at the Academy. However, we do realize that there could be extenuating circumstances requiring you to work. In this case, we offer a FLEX scheduling program, allowing you to train part-time. Please contact your admissions officer for details.
Q- What can I expect to make as a regional airline pilot?
A- Compensation varies airline and in some is dictated by an airline pilot union contract. In your 1st year as an airline pilot, you can anticipate earning between $20,000 to $25,000. As a 2nd year regional airline pilot, you can anticipate earning between $30,000 to $38,000. Typically, 1st year pay is considerably less as it is considered a probationary year, and the airline is re-coping the first officer training expense. Upon upgrading to captain at a regional airline, you can anticipate earning between $45,000 to $60,000. A senior captain within a regional airline has the potential of earning $100,000 per year. Please visit www.airlinepilotcentral.com and www.jet-jobs.com for additional information on pilot pay and benefits.
Q- Do I need a medical to get started and where can I obtain one?
A-Yes. You will need either a FAA 1st or 2nd Class Medical Certificate in order to enroll in the Academy. The airlines require a FAA 1st Class Medical in order to get hired, so as a result, you are strongly encouraged to obtain a 1st Class medical to ensure you are medically eligible for employment with an airline, before starting at the Academy. You can find an FAA Aviation Medical Examiner in your local area by visiting www.flightphysical.com. The estimated cost of an 1st or 2nd Class Medical is between $60 to $100.
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Q- What do I need to do to apply to the academy?
A- Please send the following documents at least 30 days in advance by Fax or mail to Delta Connection Academy, Inc., 2700 Flightline Avenue, Sanford, FL 32773:
1- Sign and complete application for admission. Please click here to download.
2- A copy of your High School diploma, GED, or college transcripts with High School graduation date.
3- A copy of your 1st or 2nd class FAA Medical Certificate.
4- A copy of your US Passport OR a copy of your Birth Certificate and copy of your Driver’s License.
5- A $750 course deposit. $150 is a non-refundable application and registration fee. $600 is refundable and goes toward your course cost.
6- If housing is requested, a $700 deposit is required.
7- If you hold any pilot certificates, please include a copy of your pilot’s certificate.
* If you are an international student or non-US citizen there may be additional documents required. Please contact admissions.
Q- Once I apply to the Academy, when do I enroll?
A- We have new classes starting every month. Please contact admissions at
1-800-U-CAN-FLY to determine a class date for you.
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