United Aviate Academy received an accreditation warning in May regarding the enrollment, financial, and advertising standards of United Airlines' flagship flight school in Goodyear.

According to the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges, the commission issued a warning action because it had reason to believe UAA is not or may not be following accrediting standards.

The accreditation warning comes after Goodyear residents voiced concerns about low flight paths and noise allegedly emanating from student pilots at the nearby flight school.

ACCSC oversees the standards of more than 650 post-secondary, trade, and technical schools, which annually educate over 150,000 students in a wide variety of vocational programs.

United Aviate Academy is one of eight institutes currently in warning status.

According to the commission, the reasons revolve around the institution's financial transparency and the truthfulness of its advertising campaign.

“UAA must demonstrate that all advertising, promotional materials, statements, and claims are truthful and accurate and avoid leaving any false, misleading, misrepresenting, or exaggerated impressions,” the ACCSC wrote in its warning. “UAA must also demonstrate that the school’s financial structure is sound with resources sufficient for the proper operation of the schools and the discharge of obligations to students.”

According to Fox News, United Airlines informed pilots and stakeholders the airline will pause new hire classes for May and June. United said it plans to lift that pause in July and prioritize Aviate graduates, after delays in Boeing product certification and manufacturing are remedied.

"United Aviate and United Military Pilot Program participants remain a top hiring priority," leadership wrote to pilots.

Aviate actively touts its pipeline to United Airlines in the promotional section of its website. 

"A direct path," it wrote. "Aviate participants can transition to United as a First Officer upon successful completion of the Aviate program and hiring requirements."

The commission also is reviewing compliance with an enrollment standard.

“UAA must demonstrate that the school has maintained an enrollment cap as previously set required by the commission. Failure to submit a response to the May 28, 2024, Warning may result in the withdrawal of the school’s accreditation,” it wrote.

The enrollment cap review comes after residents complained about Phoenix Goodyear Airport’s exponential growth in operations and questioned the safety and well-being of the community as a result.

According to Quiet Skies Goodyear, the year-to-date general aviation operations at Phoenix Goodyear Airport have increased 88% from 70,020 to 132,000 operations in 2022. QSG believes that number is expected to surpass 200,000 for 2023's reported numbers, largely because of Aviate's increase presence. 

UAA must demonstrate corrective action and compliance with accrediting standards and is subject to a review come August.

According to the commission, failure to demonstrate compliance with accrediting standards or other accrediting requirements by the end of the warning period may result in the revocation of UAA’s accreditation.