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FLT Academy Program Overview
FLT Academy & Contour Airlines Training Program
Estimated Completion Time:
14 months
Estimated Cost:
$140,000-$155,000
Class Commitment:
5 flights/lessons per week minimum
Your Fast Track to the Flight Deck
If you’re dreaming of flying jets and building a career in commercial aviation, the Contour Airlines Training Program is your launchpad. FLT Academy has partnered with Contour Airlines to offer a one-of-a-kind training experience designed to move you from zero time to the flight deck — faster than traditional pathways.
This program isn’t just about building hours — it’s about creating pilots who are truly ready to fly professionally. Through structured, professional training and exclusive hiring opportunities, you’ll be setting yourself up for long-term success in the airline industry.
Program Requirements
- 18 Years or older
- High School Diploma or higher
- Students must be US citizens or Permanent Residents
- English Speaking
- FAA Medical Certificate
- Criminal History Report
- A negative Panel Five drug screen
- Personal Driving Record
- Proof of Citizenship
- A valid driver’s license
Minimum Completion Requirements
- Complete and pass all phases of training, as well as obtain no less than 500 hours of total flight time experience.
Resources
What Makes This Program So Unique?
Jet Time Sooner
Fly jets at just 500 total flight hours. That’s right — you’ll skip the typical pathway and start flying ERJ or CRJ aircraft faster than the traditional airline route.
Real Airline Training Experience
200+ Hours of dedicated training to gain valuable experience Contour looks for in their pilots.
Guaranteed Interview with Contour
Upon successful completion of training, you’ll partake in a guaranteed interview for a First Officer position with Contour Airlines.
Direct Path to Captain at SkyWest
Once you meet SkyWest Airlines Captain requirements you have the opportunity to jump directly from a Contour Airlines Captain position to the Captain’s seat at SkyWest Airlines — no First Officer detour needed.
Increased Career Earnings
Start flying jets (and earning) sooner, accelerating your career and financial future.
Your Journey Through the Program
Phase 1: Start at FLT Academy
Train full-time and earn your:
Phase 2: First Interview & Conditional Job Offer (CJO)
After your Commercial Single-Engine checkride, you’ll complete a structured interview with Contour Airlines. If successful, you’ll receive a non-binding Conditional Job Offer (CJO) that further secures your place in the program.
Phase 3: 500-Hour Course — Where Professional Pilots Are Made
- Multi-Engine Training
In addition to obtaining your Commercial Multi-Engine Add-On, this phase is all about getting you ready for the real world of Part 135 flying:
- Stage 1: 27 hours of advanced ground school — from high-altitude aerodynamics to emergency procedures and Part 135 regulations.
- Stages 2–5: Over 40 intensive flight lessons — focused on CRM, IFR flying, cross-country operations, night flying, and single-pilot responsibilities.
- Stage 6: A multi-day cross-country trip through complex, real-world scenarios.
- End-of-Course Evaluation: A final check to confirm you’re fully prepared for Contour’s high standards.
You’ll finish this phase with valuable flight experience:
- 100 hours Cross Country
- 110 hours Night
- 50 hours Actual and/or Simulated Instrument
- 30 hours Multi-Engine
- 100 hours Pilot in Command (PIC)
- 20 hours Emergency Procedures Training
- 30 hours Weather Planning
- 15 hours Route Planning
Phase 4: Your First Airline Job — First Officer at Contour
After reaching 500 hours of total flight time and successfully passing your final interview with Contour Airlines, it’s time to start flying jets. You’ll undergo further training with Contour Airlines and enter the flight deck as a First Officer, gaining valuable experience flying CRJ or ERJ aircraft.
Phase 5: Upgrade to Captain
Once you reach 1,200 total flight hours, you’re eligible to upgrade to Captain at Contour — giving you crucial PIC time.
Phase 6: Direct Captain Entry at SkyWest
Contour Captains who meet the minimum experience required by SkyWest Airlines can apply directly to SkyWest Airlines as Captains — skipping the SkyWest First Officer seat entirely.
Phase 7: Your Pathway to the Majors
With experience at Contour and SkyWest, you’ll be well-positioned to move on to top-tier airlines like Delta, American, United, or Alaska.
Who Can Join?
To ensure the highest standards of safety and professionalism, the program has a few key requirements:
- You must complete all training at FLT Academy – students who have started their training at other schools are regrettably ineligible for this program.
- Guaranteed training availability required — 7 days a week, 7 AM to 5 PM, with flexibility for night flying.
Getting the FLT Academy Endorsement
FLT Academy will only recommend students to Contour Airlines who complete the program and meet the highest standards of performance, professionalism, and readiness for Part 135 flying. If you don’t qualify for the endorsement, you can still apply to Contour independently — but our recommendation gives you a major advantage and priority hiring.
Ready to Fly?
If you are passionate about aviation and looking for a faster, smarter way to build your career, this is it.
Here’s how to get started:
1
Schedule a Consultation
Schedule a consultation with FLT Academy to receive personalized training estimates and more details about the program and requirements.
2
Prepare
Obtain and provide all enrollment requirements and documentation.
3
Enroll
Enroll and begin training at FLT Academy.
TESTIMONIALS
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about FLT Academy's 0-500 Hour program:
Because a student is opting out of the Certified Flight Instructor programs, they will need to cover the cost of their additional flight time out of their own pocket. Factoring in all the preliminary training and subsequent solo flight time-building, you can anticipate an approximate cost of $130,000 – $145,000.
Students can anticipate completing the 0-500 Hour program in 150-12months.
All timeline estimations listed above are based on FLT Academy’s FAR Part 141 approved training courses and minimum student training goals. Actual time to complete training can vary based on numerous factors, including but not limited to weather, aircraft maintenance cycles, Designated Pilot Examiner (DPE) availability, overall student availability and flexibility, student lesson comprehension, personal lesson cancellations/rescheduling, illness, vacations and other time away from training, student Leave of Absences (LOA), external commitments (work, school, family, etc.), testing failures, etc.
The 0-500 Hour Program is designed to fulfill the minimum flight experience required to work as Second in Command (co-pilot) for Part 135 operations. Other than Part 135 operations, many aviation positions share this requirement for pilot qualifications as well. MedEvac, aerial survey/photography, charter flights, and many more opportunities are available!
FLT Academy’s minimum training standard is three flights per week on the less-accelerated program and five flights per week on the accelerated program.
We are very flexible with the routes our students can fly! Short local flights or longer cross-country flights are fine! Create a flight plan, have it approved by one of our chief pilots, and enjoy the skies!
Some people know they do not wish to pursue flight instruction as a means to continue building their hours. Even though this program comes at a higher cost, it allows aviators an alternative route to continue flying, build their experience, and qualify for positions with higher entry requirements.
GET IN TOUCH WITH AN ADVISOR TODAY
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