United Aviate Academy, a wholly owned subsidiary of United Airlines, will lease a state-of-the-art training facility for its United Aviate Academy in Goodyear, Arizona.

The 340,000-square-foot facility will feature a leased fleet of late-model Cirrus SR-20 series single-engine aircraft with advanced safety characteristics, two aircraft hangars, nearly 50,000 square feet of office space, and dormitory rooms for student housing with room for expansion.

“We are thrilled to welcome our first class of students to the academy’s new home at Phoenix Goodyear Airport,” said Mary Ann Schaffer, United’s chief pilot and member of the United Aviate Academy board of directors. “The facility ensures we have the resources to expand our training capabilities and that the next generation of aviators will receive industry-leading training toward their goal of becoming a pilot for United Airlines.”

According to airline officials, representing an investment of more than $10 million and the creation of hundreds of jobs, the program at Phoenix Goodyear Airport will provide aspiring pilots with resources, equipment and accommodations. The facility, which will be leased from the City of Phoenix, was previously home to Lufthansa Aviation Training and United Aviate Academy.

“United Aviate Academy’s pilot training program is a valued addition to Arizona’s aviation sector and we’re excited to welcome their inaugural program to Goodyear,” said Sandra Watson, President and CEO of the Arizona Commerce Authority (ACA). “We are grateful to UAA for choosing Goodyear, creating hundreds of jobs for Arizonans in a rapidly-growing industry.”