Frontier and ATP Flight School have formed the ‘Frontier Direct Program’ which targets ATP graduates and CFIs for employment at Frontier Airlines as First Officers. The program allows graduates and instructors to progress from ATP to the flight deck after enhanced CTP training.
On Monday (January 25, 2021), Frontier Airlines announced the formation of a new pilot pathway with ATP Flight School called the ‘Frontier Direct Program.’ With the new collaboration, ATP graduates and Instructors can join the Frontier flight deck as First Officers after completion of the enhanced ATP CTP training. The additional training includes further Airbus A320 full-motion flight simulator time. The partnership offers an accelerated pathway to a rewarding career with Frontier, while providing the carrier access to a high-quality pool of qualified pilot applicants.
In Monday’s announcement, ATP’s President, Justin Dennis, said,
“We appreciate Frontier Airlines collaborating with ATP. This program is a tremendous career opportunity for ATP graduates, while helping frontier access a pool of highly qualified, professional pilots who appreciate the opportunity to fly for Frontier.”
Also commenting on the collaboration, Frontier Airlines’ Vice President of Flight Operations, Brad Lambert, added,
‘Frontier is proud to partner with premier flight schools such as ATP to ensure the quality of our future pilot supply. We have been impressed with the caliber of candidates we have seen. Coordinating with ATP to enhance their jet transition program helps to evaluate and improve on the skill set required to be a safe and successful airline pilot.”
Once a student completes flight training in ATP’s Airline Career Pilot Program, graduates gain flight experience as paid ATP flight instructors. After achieving between 1250-1500 hours of flight time, recommended instructors then interview with Frontier Airlines. Following a successful candidate selection and interview process, applicants will receive a Conditional Offer of Employment, while they continue working towards 1500 flight hours with ATP. Prior to joining Frontier, selected candidates will then attend the enhanced ATP CTP course.
Since proof of concept for the program started in 2020, four graduates have successfully completed the program and all four have been flying the line with Frontier Airlines after successfully completing new-hire training and IOE. ATP is the largest flight school in the U.S., providing students with the most efficient path to successful airline pilot careers. The flight school has been the leader in flight training and supplying pilots to commercial airlines for over 35 years.
Source: Frontier Airlines