Florida-based ATP Flight Schools, which trains airline pilots, is planning to open new, expanded training centers at Oakland County International Airport in Waterford Township and at Ann Arbor Municipal Airport. No dates or details about the new facilities have been revealed.
ATP, which also has a flight school at Willow Run Airport in Ypsilanti Township, says the impetus behind the expanded Michigan centers is the growing need for highly qualified pilots with mandatory airline pilot retirements peaking in the coming years.
In addition, the flight school announced it will expand its fleet of training planes with 61 factory-new aircraft in 2025. The deliveries include 54 Cessna 172 Skyhawks, equipped with Garmin G1000 NXi avionics, and seven Piper Seminoles featuring Garmin G1000 flight decks. These aircraft join ATP’s fleet as additional capacity to train the next generation of airline pilots.
ATP says it operates one of the youngest, most modern training fleets, totaling 614 aircraft, with 133 new deliveries in the past two years. ATP says it will continue to expand its fleet with at least 40 new aircraft each year through 2027.
ATP conducts more than 850 daily flights, logging more than 581,000 flight hours annually. Nearly 30 dedicated Tech Ops maintenance bases ensure a well-maintained and dependable fleet, while ATP’s airline-style operations center at its Jacksonville Beach headquarters contributes to an efficient and structured training environment.
“The safety and reliability of ATP’s operations exceed the national average for general aviation flight instruction by a factor of 10,” says Michael Arnold, vice president of marketing at ATP Flight School. “This commitment to our students and instructors is only made possible through an unmatched investment in aircraft and safety, allowing aspiring pilots to train with confidence on the most efficient path to a successful airline pilot career.”
Deliveries of the new Cessna Skyhawks began in February, and will continue throughout the year. Aspiring airline pilots are invited to experience ATP’s industry-leading training and aircraft firsthand by scheduling an admissions flight here.
