"We understand the significant impact this has on our guests who rely on these mobility devices and are working with anyone affected to accommodate them on another mainline flight or on another airline. In the meantime, alternative arrangements are being made for passengers impacted by the issue. The problem will likely exist for weeks. Horizon Air is working with the FAA and the aircraft manufacturer, Embraer, to fix the issue, according to Horizon Air spokesperson Bobbie Egan. Horizon Air, the sister airline to Alaska Air, has recently switched all Bellingham flights from the Q400 turboprop to the Embraer 175 jet, which currently cannot carry mobility devices in the storage area. Toni Taft was traveling with her mother, Kay, but was temporarily denied boarding in Seattle on the last Bellingham-bound flight of the night because the aircraft could not carry Kay's mobility scooter. 22-Travelers with mobility scooters are not able to leave Bellingham International Airport on Alaska/Horizon flights as the airline cannot carry the mobility device on its new aircraft. We’re eager to work with students through their entire journey and provide world-class training and dedicated pilot mentorship along the way.”Īscend Pilot Academy not only benefits its cadet pilots by providing them with the tools and resources needed for success, but it also helps the carriers fill cockpit seats with pilots they know came from a trusted flight school.Jan. “Enrolling in Ascend Pilot Academy is the first step of what we hope will be a long relationship with Horizon Air and Alaska Airlines.
“Through this program, an aspiring commercial pilot will be able to realize their dream of learning to fly, and work toward becoming a captain at Alaska Airlines,” Nik Kresse, Hillsboro Aero Academy’s Vice President of airplane flight operations, said. Many Alaska and Horizon pilots started their careers flying, instructing or both at the Hillsboro campus. Hillsboro’s campus operates a fleet of 95 aircraft equipped with modern avionics. The Pacific Northwest flight school has two campuses, the main one located in Hillsboro, Ore. Prior to this program, Horizon Air and Hillsboro Aero Academy had already been established partners - helping students gain employment following the completion of their training. “We’re taking a number of steps to actively recruit pilots at both Alaska and Horizon, including enhancing our existing Pilot Development Program and launching a robust marketing recruiting campaign,” Sprague added. Alaska and Horizon combined will hire an estimated 500 pilots per year till 2025. In 2022, it is projected that upwards of 10,000 pilots will be hired by mainline airlines, up 50 percent from 2019, prior to the pandemic. As a result, airlines have turned to programs similarly designed like the Ascend Pilot Program to help tackle the growing problem. The pandemic played a large role in the industry-wide pilot shortage as it pushed many pilots into early retirement amongst major air carriers. “Our goal is to create a program that enables students to complete an intensive training and time-building program, with a clear and established path toward flying for Horizon as a first officer.” Ongoing Pilot Shortage “Launching the Ascend Pilot Academy addresses a critical need to build a larger and more diverse talent pipeline and remove historical barriers to entry for aspiring pilots,” Joe Sprague, said, Horizon Air president. Having reached the flight deck at Horizon, and looking to advance with Alaska, Ascend Pilot Academy graduates may apply for quarterly openings with the airline’s pathway program, which could lead to the standard interview process with the airline.
Along the way, cadets will have access to mentorship from existing Alaska Airlines and Horizon Air pilots.įollowing the completion of ratings, and after receiving the required 1,500 flight hours, graduates will receive a conditional job offer at Horizon Air. Pilots in the program will be eligible for a $25,000 stipend to help cover the cost of their commercial pilot license, including an opportunity for low-interest financial aid assistance. The two airlines have partnered with the Hillsboro Aero Academy - a Pacific Northwest flight school - to train upwards of 250 cadet pilots per year. The program ultimately aims to aid the company in the hiring of pilots amidst the ever-growing pilot shortage that currently plagues the industry. Participants in the program will eventually land themselves in the right seat at Horizon Air, with the opportunity to further advance to Alaska Airlines after specific requirements are met. By Chase Hagl Alaska Airlines, Horizon Air Launch Ascend Pilot AcademyĪlaska Airlines and Horizon Air - the Seattle-based carrier’s regional partner - have teamed up to launch their Ascend Pilot Academy (APA), aimed towards providing pilots with a simple, more affordable path to becoming commercial pilots.
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