Mesa Airlines Launches New Time Building Program for Aspiring Pilots

Mesa Airlines unveiled its new Independent Pilot Development (IPD) program on October 9—offering aspiring pilots a more streamlined approach to building flight time.

Amelia Walsh

Wednesday, October 11, 2023 at 02:52 PM ET

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Key Takeaways:

Mesa Airlines launched its Independent Pilot Development (IPD) program, offering a "pay-as-you-go" system for aspiring pilots to build flight time efficiently.
Pilots in the IPD program purchase 50-hour flight blocks at $60/hour, including fuel, utilizing new Pipistrel Alpha 2 aircraft, and must hold a commercial pilot certificate with an instrument rating.
The program provides a fast track to meeting 1,500-hour flight time requirements, offering airline training materials, mentors, and a preferred interview with Mesa Airlines upon completion.
Mesa introduced the IPD program as a strategic initiative to combat the severe pilot shortage affecting regional carriers and to accelerate pilot recruitment.

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Regional carrier Mesa Airlines unveiled its new Independent Pilot Development (IPD) program on October 9—offering aspiring pilots a more streamlined approach to building flight time.

Mesa’s “pay as you go” program requires pilots to purchase a minimum of 50-hour blocks at $60 an hour, which includes fuel and is based on a two-pilot flight deck occupancy. According to the airline, the program is offered to pilots who have obtained their commercial pilot certificate and instrument rating.