Creating Tomorrow's Captains Using Today's Cadet Programs

On Wednesday, April 8th, LIVE Aero Club is hosting PSA Airlines to chat about all things aviation (scan the QR code above to RSVP).

Whether you’re a student pilot trying to keep up with the syllabus, or a CFI time-builder looking to make your next career move, you don’t wanna miss it.

This is a fantastic opportunity to get casual, yet informative face time with PSA Airlines, one of American Airline’s wholly owned regionals. Be prepared to gain valuable insights on pilot hiring updates, life at a regional airline like PSA, and more.

But for this piece, I want to discuss a key resource that’s proven itself to be invaluable not just to the regional Captains of today, but tomorrow.

The Regional Cadet Program

Before the Covid-19 Pandemic, the word “cadet” was commonly heard in the context of a military or police academy trainee, and it’s still used that way.

But since then, there's been a new wave of other cadets out and about, primarily affiliated with U.S. regional airlines and their respective cadet programs. These internal programs serve as a crucial pipeline for regionals to recruit, mentor, and even train candidates for their pilot positions.

Why Do Cadet Programs Matter?

Regional cadet programs offer a shoe-in to the respective airline, and offers several benefits that may include, but are not limited to:

• Guaranteed interview

• Mentorship, workshops, and interview prep

• Higher seniority upon hire

• Training stipends

Let's break each one down:

🤝 Guaranteed Interview

Some regionals immediately accept you into their cadet program, then have you interview for the First Officer position upon reaching eligible criteria (such as Restricted ATP minimums).

One the other hand, some programs may interview you upfront to get into the cadet program. With the interview out of the way early, you’ll be assigned a class date upon meeting eligible criteria (again, such as Restricted ATP minimums).

Got a cadet or first officer interview coming up and don’t know where to start? Connect with us via our website or social media!

📚 Mentorship, Workshops, Interview Prep

Each cadet program has various resources. Not all may have everything, but each one has something.

As a cadet, I utilized my regional’s monthly workshops and webinars. While they had no direct impact on my upcoming interview for the First Officer position, each one provided unique insights into the airline’s culture and how they work. Funny enough, the pilot recruiter who later interviewed me was pleasantly surprised to hear I attended every webinar I could. In his words, “most cadets take advantage of the interview prep, not the webinars.”

📈 Higher Seniority

Company seniority is determined by date of hire. But how about seniority amongst your classmates, who all have the same date of hire?

This is where joining a cadet program comes in handy; cadets frequently have higher seniority over non-cadets.

I could write a whole separate article on the topic of seniority and why it matters. But for a new hire at a regional like myself, seniority played an immediate role: which simulator training slots were available, my awarded base after training, etc.

💰 Training Stipends

Not every cadet program has this, but some offer you a bonus to help fund the remainder of your training or time-building.

But here’s the catch: You might have to sign a contract, requiring you to pay back the entire lump sum if you decide to pursue employment elsewhere.

Am I Eligible for a Cadet Program?

If your friend, mentor, or instructor recommends a specific regional cadet program to join: do your research! Check the airline’s website for their latest cadet program requirements and instructions on how to apply.

The pilot hiring environment is subject to fluctuation over time, and thus, cadet programs and their requirements may change. Some require you to have a Private Pilot License (PPL), others a Commercial Pilot License (CPL). Some require you to be affiliated with a particular flight school, others don’t.

Final Thoughts

There’s rarely a case where joining a regional cadet program wouldn't make sense. The biggest one I can think of is if there’s any particular contract or stipulation to join (like the training stipends I mentioned earlier). In that case, take the time to sit down, possibly talk to a mentor, and reflect on what decision would be best for you.

Otherwise, most cadet programs have no strings attached, so applying to multiple programs is an excellent way to hedge against a volatile pilot hiring market.

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If you’ve made it this far, thanks for reading! I’d love to hear your thoughts—drop a comment and follow the blog. Follow @liveaeroclub on Instagram to stay updated on our career mentorships, events, and workshops. Safe flying!