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United Airlines expands Denver training center adding 40 new CAE flight simulators
United completes phase one of a major expansion at its Denver Flight Training Center, now operating 86 simulators to train up to 860 pilots daily.
The gist
United Airlines bolsters its Denver Flight Training Center with 40 new CAE simulators, enhancing pilot training capacity and creating over 300 jobs.
United Airlines has completed the first phase of an extensive expansion at its Denver Flight Training Center, adding 40 new flight simulators supplied by CAE. This upgrade includes a mix of full-motion flight simulators and fixed training devices, bringing the facility’s total to 52 full-motion simulators and 34 fixed devices. The Denver campus, located in the city’s Central Park neighborhood, is now the world’s largest pilot training center by simulator count and training space.
Spread across 22 acres with eight buildings, the nearly 700,000 square-foot training center operates around the clock for 362 days a year. United said the facility can train up to 860 pilots per day and conduct more than 32,000 training events annually. This makes it a crucial hub for maintaining and expanding the airline’s pilot workforce, supporting nearly 18,000 active pilots alongside newly hired flight crews.
The training center serves as United’s sole pilot training facility. New pilots complete their initial qualifications here, while all United pilots return periodically for recurrent training, typically every nine months, to maintain certification and ensure ongoing proficiency. The scale and scope of the operation reflect United’s commitment to pilot training excellence and safety.
United invested more than $145 million in the latest expansion, which began in 2022 and includes a new 150,000-square-foot building opened in 2024. This new building was designed specifically to accommodate additional simulators, classrooms, and support functions. The investment has also created more than 300 new jobs in the Denver area, employing roughly 1,600 people at the training center in roles such as flight instruction, evaluation, scheduling, and flight standards.
CAE, a longtime United partner of over 40 years, provided the new simulators and technology. CAE’s President and CEO Matthew Bromberg emphasized the importance of collaboration, noting the training technology and expertise provided will help United prepare pilots on a large scale with high reliability. The CAE simulators installed include advanced full-motion capabilities, providing realistic training environments for a variety of aircraft types operated by United.
The Denver Flight Training Center has a history dating back to its original construction between 1966 and 1968 at the former Stapleton Airport complex. It has been a cornerstone of United’s pilot training operations for decades, evolving significantly with each modernization effort. Since 2016, United has injected $370 million into the campus, continually expanding capacity and upgrading infrastructure.
Looking toward the future, United is preparing a second training facility near Denver International Airport (DEN). In July 2026, Denver City Council approved rezoning for two parcels United purchased in 2023, enabling construction to begin in 2027. The new site is planned to complement the Central Park campus and become operational by 2030, further supporting United’s expanding pilot training requirements.
This expansion aligns with United’s broader pilot growth strategy. Since 2021, the airline has hired more than 9,500 pilots, with roughly 700 new pilots joining in early 2026 alone and additional hires expected before year-end. United supports pilot development through multiple initiatives, including its Aviate career program, the United Aviate Academy in Goodyear, Arizona, and a dedicated transition pathway for military aviators.
The pilot transition from military to civilian aviation has been substantial; nearly 600 military pilots have joined United since 2024, with another 500 anticipated by the end of 2027. These comprehensive training facilities ensure that United can maintain the high standards and operational readiness demanded by its growing and diverse pilot workforce.
Frequently asked questions
- How many flight simulators does United Airlines now operate at its Denver Flight Training Center?
- United Airlines operates 52 full-motion flight simulators and 34 fixed training devices at its Denver Flight Training Center after the recent expansion.
- What is the daily pilot training capacity of United’s Denver Flight Training Center?
- The expanded Denver Flight Training Center can train up to 860 pilots per day and conducts more than 32,000 training events annually.
- What future expansion plans does United have for pilot training facilities in Denver?
- United is planning a new pilot training facility near Denver International Airport with construction starting in 2027, expected to open by 2030 to complement the existing campus.
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The FAA (or its precursor, the Civil Aeronautics Administration) figured this out decades ago and decided to split the alphabet when it came to identifying the automatic terminal information system at these airports. The designation Alpha to Mike belongs to Sea-Tac. November to Zulu belongs to KBFI. The pilots accessing the ATIS for "Seattle" have a better chance of getting the correct information when they know the alphabet split. Runway Alignment Adding to the confusion of airport identification is that runways are usually aligned into the prevailing winds. To some extent all airports can look alike from the air, especially for a low-time or unfamiliar pilot. According to instructors I know from Wisconsin, before GPS and the magenta line became ubiquitous in the aircraft, it was not terribly uncommon for student pilots to get confused when they attempted to fly to either Wittman Regional Airport (KOSH) in Oshkosh or Fond du Lac County Airport (KFLD), which is 13 miles to the south. 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