Atlas Cadet Academy Cadets Gain Hands-On Leadership Experience at Atlas Air’s Miami Training Center

The Atlas Cadet Academy (ACA), a pilot training pathway developed in partnership with Spartan Education Group (SEG) and Atlas Air, Inc. (“Atlas”), recently provided its cadets with an extraordinary hands-on experience at the Atlas Training Center in Miami, Florida. This immersive visit offered ACA cadets a unique glimpse into the operational excellence, leadership culture, jet familiarization, and career pathways that set Atlas apart as a global leader in air cargo transportation. The Atlas Cadet Academy's official training takes place at Illinois Aviation Academy (IAA) in West Chicago, Illinois. A part of SEG, the facility provides cadets with comprehensive flight training, including training for six FAA certificates and ratings. The visit to the Atlas Training Center provided cadets with a behind-the-scenes experience, showcasing how their training is laying the foundation for potential future careers at Atlas.

During the visit, ACA cadets witnessed firsthand the flight crew’s decision-making process, safety protocols, and dynamic business model that are the foundation of Atlas’ success. A highlight of the trip was the opportunity to fly in the Boeing 747 full-motion flight simulator — a rare opportunity for cadets to apply their flight training skills in a highly advanced environment.

“This experience brought the entire Atlas Cadet Academy journey full circle,” said Jim Borgaard, Director of Business Development at SEG. “From classroom learning to hands-on simulator training, cadets can see how their skills align with the operational standards of an airline like Atlas Air.”

Cadets also had the opportunity to meet with Atlas Air’s Chief Pilots, Safety Management Systems (SMS) leadership, and members of the executive leadership team, including Michael Steen, Chief Executive Officer of Atlas Air Worldwide. The one-on-one interactions highlighted Atlas’ commitment to fostering the next generation of aviation professionals.

“The visit to the Atlas Training Center in Miami was an incredible experience for our Atlas Cadet Academy cadets. What stood out most was Atlas’ commitment to making each cadet feel valued—not just as future pilots, but as potential integral members of their team,” said Robert Werderich, Executive Vice President of Flight Operations, SEG. “From meeting Atlas’ CEO and SMS Director to experiencing the 747 simulator and seeing the application of the IAA abnormality flow in action, every moment reinforced the opportunities and support available through the Atlas Cadet Academy.”

The Academy is designed to prepare aspiring aviators for the possibility of attaining First Officer opportunities with Atlas, a leading global provider of outsourced aircraft and aviation operating services, serving domestic, regional, and international cargo and passenger operations. This collaboration strengthens Atlas’ workforce development strategy and continued growth across its global aviation network. This visit, which is a part of the ACA curriculum, reinforces the Academy’s mission to develop skilled aviators prepared to meet the needs of the growing aviation industry. The academy is now enrolling cadets at SEG’s Aviation flight school in West Chicago, Illinois, Illinois Aviation Academy. For more information, visit AtlasCadetAcademy.com.

About Spartan Education Group

Spartan Education Group, LLC (SEG), headquartered in Chicago, IL, operates McAir Aviation flight school in Broomfield, CO and Illinois Aviation Academy in West Chicago, IL. Separately, SEG acquired Spartan College of Aeronautics and Technology in 2012. Spartan College, established in 1928, has trained over 100,000 pilots and aviation technicians at its four campuses located in the following areas: Tulsa, OK, Los Angeles, and Riverside, CA, and Denver, CO.

About Atlas Air Worldwide

Atlas Air Worldwide is a leading global provider of outsourced aircraft and aviation operating services. It is the parent company of Atlas Air, Inc., and Titan Aviation Holdings, Inc., and is the majority shareholder of Polar Air Cargo Worldwide, Inc. Our companies operate the world’s largest fleet of 747 Freighter aircraft and provide customers with the broadest array of Boeing 747, 777, 767 and 737 aircraft for domestic, regional, and international cargo and passenger operations.

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“This experience brought the entire Atlas Cadet Academy journey full circle. From classroom learning to hands-on simulator training, cadets can see how their skills align with the operational standards of an airline like Atlas Air.”