United Airlines inaugurated a new building at its Flight Training Center in Denver, Colorado. The new facilities can accommodate 12 flight simulators, making this center the largest of its kind in the world.
In the first weeks of 2024, over 300 pilots were hired by the airline, and 2,300 professionals were recruited in 2022. The new facilities add more capacity to the training center, which is projected to provide training for 16,000 United pilots.
With the addition of the new 14,000 m2 building, the United Flight Training Center now comprises a total of eight buildings, with 65,000 m2 of training space and 46 state-of-the-art full-motion flight simulators.
The CEO of United, Scott Kirby, said: “We are growing faster than any other airline in the industry, and our investments in our pilots and their training are essential to support the unprecedented number of new aircraft that United will incorporate into its fleet in the coming decades.”
“United pilots are the best aviators in the world, and the way we recruit, hire, and train directly supports that high standard of excellence,” added Kirby.
Training Center Capabilities
The facilities cover 23 hectares and are the only training center for nearly 16,000 airline pilots and all newly hired pilots.
United pilots undergo intensive simulator training with instructors and evaluators during the initial qualification process, and every nine months thereafter to maintain their certifications.
In addition to the six already existing in the new building, there is space to add another six full-motion flight simulators, which are pending delivery.
The addition of the new building allows for a total of 52 full-motion flight simulators and 34 fixed training devices at the Flight Training Center.
Impact on the Local Economy
United invested over $145 million in the new building and is expected to generate over 370 new jobs.
More than 1,600 employees out of the over 10,000 employed by United in Denver work at the United Flight Training Center.
The United Flight Training Center was originally built between 1966 and 1968 as part of the Stapleton airport complex and has served as the main pilot training facility for United since then.
Since 2016, United has invested $370 million in the Flight Training Center overall.
Future Projects
In the summer of 2023, United announced the purchase of two undeveloped parcels of land near Denver International Airport (DEN), some of which will be used to further expand its Flight Training Center.
The goal for United is to have flight training capabilities in the expanded Flight Training Center by 2028.
