Concerning Allegations Suggest Trouble At Showcase United Aviate Academy
The school is riddled with problems.
- They have hundreds of people who have been accepted that are waiting for class dates but they are currently bringing in 10-15 students per month and even skipping some months.
- They are incredibly behind on their training timeline. Everywhere they state that this is a 12-month program, 0-MEI [Multi-Engine Flight Instructor], but in reality, people are taking over 18 months just to finish CFI [Certified Flight Instructor].
- Another example of training delays, people at the academy are currently taking over 5 months to finish their PPLs [Private Pilot License]. Of a class of 16 that started Q1 2023, only 4 have taken their PPL check-ride as of the end of June.
- Instructors are incredibly overloaded, some instructors have as many as 11 students, and remember, these are all full-time students. Students are promised 5 flights per week but are often capped at 2-4 because the instructors cannot legally fly enough.
- Speaking of overloaded instructors, management pushes CFIs to their limits but also watches their every move and any minor wrong step like flying to much with certain students has gotten CFIs fired.
- People are having to wait up to a month in between certificates due to instructor overload.
- They are not hiring their own graduates but are starting to hire externally.
- Management is trying to hide all the problems. For example; they are having “graduation ceremonies” for those who finish CPL [Commercial Pilot License] (even though the program doesn’t end until you finish all your CFI certificates) in order to make them look on time since people are taking 12-13 months just to finish CPL.
- UAA fosters a culture of intimidation. Many students have been let go after speaking out or complaining to hire-ups for vague reasons, and therefore students currently at the school are too scared to speak out. School management constantly has all eyes and ears open for any sign of dissent or criticism and is looking over everyone’s shoulder.
- Despite all these issues, United Aviate Academy management is currently having internal casting calls for a prime-time commercial that will be airing nationwide. I think that show’s where the school’s management’s priorities lie.
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