DENVER - United Airlines in Chicago announced it has opened a new, 150,000-square-foot building at its Flight Training Center in Denver. The additional building gives the airline the capability to add 12 more advanced full-motion flight simulators to the facility, six of which have already been delivered.
The Flight Training Center, now comprising eight buildings, boasts a training space exceeding 700,000 square feet and is equipped with a total of 46 state-of-the-art full-motion flight simulators.
During the unveiling ceremony, United CEO Scott Kirby, accompanied by leaders from the Flight Training Center and Denver Mayor Mike Johnston, emphasized the significance of these initiatives.
Kirby remarked, "We're outpacing growth in the aviation industry, and our commitments to pilot recruitment, hiring, and training are pivotal in supporting the substantial influx of new aircraft into United's fleet in the coming decades. United pilots uphold the highest standards of excellence, and our recruitment and training processes directly contribute to maintaining this level of proficiency."
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The newly established capabilities in the Central Park neighborhood of Denver span 23 acres and serve as the primary training ground for nearly 16,000 active United pilots and all newly recruited aviators. The training regimen includes simulator sessions with pilot instructors and evaluators during the initial qualification process and subsequent recertification every nine months.
Presently, the Flight Training Center is equipped with 46 full-motion flight simulators, including six housed in the recently inaugurated building, along with 21 fixed training devices. With space available for an additional six full-motion flight simulators, the total capacity at the Flight Training Center is set to reach 52 full-motion flight simulators and 34 fixed training devices.
The new facility enhances operational capabilities, enabling the Flight Training Center to conduct more than 32,000 training events annually and accommodate up to 860 pilots daily. Operating round the clock for 362 days a year, the facility underscores United Airlines' commitment to excellence in pilot training and readiness.
