Charter operator Tradewind Aviation has announced a new partnership with United Aviate, United Airlines’ pilot career development program.
© Tradewind Aviation
Under the agreement, Tradewind will offer positions that allow eligible employees to apply to United Aviate and, once accepted, receive a conditional offer to join United as a First Officer. Participating pilots will continue to build experience flying Tradewind’s scheduled and private services across North America and the Caribbean, operating Pilatus PC-12 and Citation CJ3 aircraft as they progress toward airline qualifications.
Captain Michael Bonner, managing director of Aviate and pilot strategy at United Airlines, said the program benefits from Tradewind’s proven record of developing cockpit leaders. He noted the partnership is part of United’s broader pilot development efforts and will support both aspiring and experienced pilots as they advance their careers.
© Tradewind Aviation
Eric Zipkin, co-founder and CEO of Tradewind Aviation, highlighted the company’s focus on cultivating talent and long-term career paths. He described the partnership as an excellent opportunity for Tradewind pilots and students to refine their skills while gaining a clear route into airline careers.
The alliance aligns with industry trends that emphasize structured pathways from regional and charter flying into major airline roles. By combining hands-on flight experience on turboprops and light jets with the Aviate program’s progression plan, pilots gain both the operational time and the mentorship needed to meet airline hiring standards.
For Tradewind, the collaboration reinforces its commitment to employee development and retention. For United, it broadens the pipeline of trained pilots who have exposure to varied operating environments, including short-field operations and international hops throughout the Caribbean—experiences that can enrich a pilot’s capabilities before transitioning to larger fleet types.
Overall, the partnership creates a formal, mutually beneficial path: Tradewind continues to train and deploy pilots across its network while United Aviate secures a steady stream of candidates prepared to meet airline requirements, increasing predictability for both career pilots and the carriers that hire them.