Today, large regional airlines prefer pilots to have relevant flight experience. All airlines look for evidence of professional attitude and ability. With the Direct Track Internship®, Sierra Academy of Aeronautics helps its graduates meet airline pilot-in-command experience requirements in the shortest period of time.

These skills are a product of Sierra Academy’s training system and unique training environment. They distinguish you from others and most often, will put you at the top of any class of airline pilots.

Sierra Academy’s Direct Track Internship® can give you the opportunity to gain more of these experiences than any other program in the country.

WHAT OTHER SPECIAL BENEFITS COME WITH SIERRA ACADEMY’S DIRECT TRACK INTERNSHIP®?

Students enrolled in Direct Track Internship® receive further standardization of flying and teaching techniques i.e. additional flight training at our expense.

Also, special sessions relating to the airline hiring process are available at no extra cost. These include:

We also offer special rates on multiengine aircraft for optional advanced ratings, such as the Multiengine Flight Instructor. (MEI).

WHAT ARE DIRECT TRACK INTERN’S DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES? CAN ONE ADVANCE WITHIN THIS SYSTEM?

Direct Track Internship® involves teaching in our airline-oriented environment in a system that will allow you to develop skills under supervision. You will advance as an instructor and ultimately receive quality-control flight checking assignments.

As long as you enjoy helping others and have developed a solid foundation of knowledge and flying ability, you will find that there is no substitute for the benefits you will derive from working as a flight instructor.

As you become involved in a professional teaching system with good support services, your knowledge and skills will increase. Your own insight and understanding will expand many times over, and you will become a better pilot. Also, by teaching you will prepare yourself for a lifelong learning experience – since your own training and development will continue throughout your career. Airlines recognize the value of this experience.

As a professional flight instructor at Sierra Academy of Aeronautics, you will be given the opportunity to make the very best use of your time. There is no more effective way to accumulate up to 100 hours or more of pilot-in-command experience per month and position yourself to rapidly gain the multiengine experience that airlines desire.

Special opportunities and arrangements are also available with SkyWest (United Express), U.S. Airways Express, and American West (Mesa). Assistance with other international airlines is also provided.

Airlines have become more liberal with eyesight requirements, and most now accept vision that is correctable to 20/20. Age, which was once a major factor, is no longer a barrier for most, since many pilots over the age of 45 have been hired by airlines in recent years. A First Class FAA Medical Certificate is required by all airlines. Most regional airlines require an associate degree. Some, however, will hire pilots without this credential. Although major airlines require a bachelor's degree in any field, those that own regional, such as American Airlines and Continental Airlines, may advance pilots in their system who do not have degrees.

Our students have an opportunity to receive degrees in a very cost-effective and time-effective manner through our association with Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. Embry-Riddle extends college credit for the licenses earned in our professional pilot program at no extra cost, and offers college classes near our facility. With this arrangement, students can earn an associate degree in Aviation Operations during training and while working as a Direct Track Intern®. A bachelor’s degree in Aviation Operations is also available.

Yes. This program can also professionally prepare pilots with interests in the diverse general aviation industry where advancement from one type of job to another is often based on accumulated flight experience and ability to work with people.
  
Although the highest levels of corporate pilot positions have stringent requirements that take time to satisfy, there are many small general aviation companies that provide opportunities for personal growth and development. Physical and eyesight requirements are not as stringent, with a Second class FAA medical certificate meeting the needs of most operations.

If you have no previous pilot experience, you enroll in Sierra Academy of Aeronautics’ professional pilot program as a Direct Track student. This will place you on a ten month schedule to complete comprehensive training for the FAA commercial pilot certificate with Instrument pilot and multiengine ratings. You will conclude our program with training for the FAA Flight Instructor (CFI) Certificate and Instrument Instructor (CFII) rating. Your eligibility for Direct Track Internship® will be established by performing according to standards, passing a standardized written examination, passing a comprehensive flight examination, and passing training department interviews. We work closely with our students from the outset to create high probabilities of success.

If you already have an FAA private pilot certificate, you can enter our professional pilot program at the beginning of the instrument pilot phase. Direct Track Interns® must receive training for the commercial pilot license and instrument ratings in our system.