Fast-Track Your Career: How Upper Limit Aviation Students Can Earn an R-ATP Associate Degree

The current aviation job market is a pilot’s golden age, but getting into the cockpit of a commercial airliner still requires meeting the FAA’s rigorous standards—most notably, the 1,500-hour requirement for an Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) certificate.

However, students at Upper Limit Aviation (ULA) have a crucial advantage through our partnership with American Winds College of Aeronautics. This collaboration offers our students a clear, accelerated path to the airlines by allowing them to earn an Associate Degree that includes the coveted Restricted ATP (R-ATP) privileges.

By combining flight training right here at ULA with a formal degree program, our students can join the airlines at 1,250 flight hours, saving 250 hours and reaching their career goals quickly.

Here is a comprehensive look at the program, its benefits, and the straightforward enrollment process.

The Power of the Restricted ATP

The Restricted ATP (R-ATP) certificate is a game-changer for aspiring pilots. It allows eligible pilots to begin their career as a First Officer for a regional airline at a lower minimum flight hour total than the standard 1,500 hours.

American Winds, located in Akron, Ohio, has partnered with ULA as a certified Flight Training Center (FTC) to offer a Degree of Applied Science in Aeronautics. By concurrently completing this degree while flying with us, you unlock the R-ATP privilege.

Key Benefits of the Associate Degree Path:

• Massive Time and Money Savings: You save the time and expense required to log an additional 250 flight hours. This difference translates directly into getting hired faster and beginning your airline salary sooner.
• Airlines Prefer a Degree: Many major airlines, charter companies, and cargo businesses increasingly prefer—and sometimes require—candidates to have a college degree. The degree provides essential “lifelong skills and tools for success in any field”.
• Fast-Track Academics: The Associate Degree is structured to be fast-tracked, allowing you to complete it in just 12 to 18 months while you simultaneously earn your FAA certifications and ratings.
• Flexible, Remote Learning: All academic classes are delivered remotely and accessed entirely online, allowing you to train locally at ULA without having to move.

Train Local, Fly Far: the ULA Advantage

1. Training will utilize FAA approved ULA Part 141 syllabi while enrolled in the American Winds online degree program. You can keep all the other verbiage.
2. Add to this sentence – American Winds solely determines eligibility for and
   awards the R-ATP. (legalese)

Financial Partners – Meritize left the flight lending market about 18 months ago. Please
remove them.

Renter’s insurance – All students are required to obtain non-owned aircraft renters’
insurance. Leave the details out. We have different requirements than Aviation Winds.

The enrollment process – you will need to enroll with Aviation Winds and ULA
simultaneously and follow the FAA approved Part 141 syllabi.

Enrollment and Financial Aid Breakdown

American Winds recognizes that financing flight training is a major commitment and works hard to make financing options available.

Financial Partners: American Winds has partnered with Meritize Bank and Stratus Financial to provide financing options so you can start your aviation journey now. Students may also seek financial aid through external resources and scholarships from organizations such as AOPA, Flight Training Finance, and the Ninety-Nines.

Initial Fees and Requirements: The following items are required during the enrollment process:

• Initial Fees: A registration fee of $125 and the first lab fee of $500 are due at the time of enrollment, along with the first syllabus fee.
• Syllabus Access: There is a $40 fee to access the American Winds syllabus on Flight Schedule Pro (FSP).
• Renters Insurance: All students are required to obtain at least $80,000 in non-owned aircraft renters insurance for the duration of the flight training. A copy of the policy must be submitted to admissions.

The Enrollment Process: The journey is simple and begins online.

1. Visit the American Winds website and find the Flight Training Center Enrollment Agreement.
2. Once filled out, the Admissions Department will receive your application.
3. You will need to scan and email the following documents to admissions@americanwinds.edu: Birth Certificate, Driver’s license, Passport, Renters Insurance, and your Medical Certificate.

For more information, visit www.americanwinds.edu or call American Winds at 330-733-2500. Take the first step toward a rewarding and remarkable career in the skies!