Get extra lift from AOPA. Start your free membership trial today! Click here
News & Media ATP goes big in Texas

ATP goes big in Texas

Gorgeous facility provides nearly 26,000 square feet of learning opportunities

December 7, 2021 By Julie Summers Walker

More than 30 years ago, a couple of airline pilots stumbled on a dream: Why not help aspiring flight students become airline pilots? In 1984, ATP Flight School, now the nation’s largest flight school, was established in Atlanta. Today its headquarters are in Jacksonville, Florida, and its largest facility in Arlington, Texas, has expanded to 25,875 square feet of state-of-the-art, high-tech opportunities for learning to fly. The school boasts a “total immersion” training experience that takes flight students from zero hours to CFI in seven months.

Photo by Chris Rose.
Photo by Chris Rose.

“Each aspect of the new building is designed to efficiently deliver total-immersion airline pilot training,” said Michael Arnold, ATP director of marketing. “Students in ATP’s Airline Career Pilot Program start with zero experience and graduate as commercial multiengine pilots and flight instructors in just seven months. Pilots graduating on this accelerated timeline are in a competitive position to capitalize on a post-pandemic pilot shortage and quickly establish their careers.”

Although ATP now has 70 locations throughout the country, its largest presence is in Texas. The Arlington facility, now its flagship campus, welcomes 100 new students each year—and offers a direct path to the airlines. More ATP alumni are hired by American Airlines than any other major airline; about 650 graduates have been hired by American Eagle carrier Envoy Air. For the Arlington facility grand opening in October, an Envoy Embraer ERJ 175 flew in to greet more than 200 students, visitors, and attendees.

“My favorite part of my job is seeing the students become instructors and then seeing them at alumni events where they are captains at American, Delta,” said Marty Cates, ATP regional director. “Just seeing them live their dream.”

Did you know?

  • ATP is the nation’s largest flight school with 70 locations and 448 aircraft.
  • It is the largest provider of pilots to the nation’s regional airlines.
  • ATP operates roughly 500 daily flights totaling 33,000 flight hours per month.
  • ATP trains and specializes in career pilots for domestic airlines.
  • Airlines hired more than 800 graduates in the past 12 months.
  • ATP has partnerships with 32 airlines, including: 
    • Delta Air Lines (Delta Propel).
    • United Airlines (United Aviate).
    • Frontier Airlines (Frontier Direct Program).
    • Sun Country Airlines (Sun Country Direct Program).
  • Airline partners are currently offering ATP students and instructors financial assistance and airline-sponsored tuition reimbursement.
Julie Walker

Julie Summers Walker

AOPA Senior Features Editor
AOPA Senior Features Editor Julie Summers Walker joined AOPA in 1998. She is a student pilot still working toward her solo.
Go to Julie Summers Walker's Profile
Topics: Aviation Education Programs, Career

Related Articles