For the pilots, the shutdown means more than unemployment. It means currency lapses, career uncertainty, and the financial pressure of an industry that can be as volatile as it is rewarding. Many Spirit pilots are now navigating a suddenly crowded job market, interviewing at regional and corporate operators, or exploring general aviation opportunities they may not have considered before.
What Happened to Spirit Airlines
Spirit had been unprofitable since the early days of the pandemic. The airline filed for bankruptcy in 2024, then again in August 2025. In February 2026, Spirit announced a deal with creditors to emerge from bankruptcy with less debt. Three days later, the war in Iran sent jet fuel prices soaring.
The final blow came when a $500 million government bailout collapsed after key creditors rejected the terms. On May 1, Spirit announced it would halt all flights. By early Saturday morning, the last Spirit aircraft had landed, and 17,000 people were out of work.
Our Response
The majority of our instructors at Aviator.NYC are active airline pilots — they fly for Delta, United, JetBlue, and other carriers. They have seen furloughs, mergers, and shutdowns reshape careers overnight. Some of them lived through the post-9/11 collapses, the 2008 recession layoffs, and the pandemic groundings.
When Spirit ceased operations, our team did not hesitate. The response was immediate and unanimous: open the doors. Volunteer our time. Help our fellow aviators in any way we can.
What We're Offering
We are offering free simulator sessions through July 2026 on our FAA-approved PFC GTX G1000 NXi Advanced Aviation Training Device in Hudson Square, Manhattan. This includes:
- G1000 NXi avionics orientation — Spirit pilots flew A320s with Airbus avionics. If you are transitioning to general aviation instructing or corporate flying, the Garmin G1000 is a completely different environment. We will help you get oriented.
- Instrument proficiency and currency — Keep your instrument skills sharp during your job search. Six approaches, holds, and intercepting and tracking courses — everything you need to stay current under 14 CFR 61.57.
- Corporate interview preparation — Practicing single-pilot procedures, glass cockpit flows, and approach briefings on G1000 avionics. Useful preparation if you are interviewing at corporate or charter operators flying Cessna Citations, King Airs, or other G1000-equipped aircraft.
Sessions are available solo or with one of our volunteer instructors when they are on-site. All training takes place at our Manhattan location (131 Varick St, Hudson Square — by appointment only).
Part-Time Simulator Instructor Positions
For Spirit pilots who live in the NYC area and hold a CFI (CFII preferred), we have part-time 1099 instructor positions available.
A few things to know upfront: we are not a high-volume training center. We operate a single simulator in Manhattan. This is not a replacement for an airline salary. What it is:
- A way to stay connected to aviation while you figure out your next move
- A networking environment — our instructors are active airline pilots who are plugged into the hiring landscape
- A way to share your expertise — teach new pilots, help instrument students, keep your own skills sharp
- Flexible — pick up sessions when you are available, no minimum commitment
If you are interested, visit our careers page to learn more about the position and apply.
Get in Touch
If you are a Spirit Airlines pilot affected by the shutdown, we want to hear from you. Fill out the contact form on our Spirit Airlines pilot support page and we will reach out within 24 hours to coordinate scheduling.
No questions asked. No sales pitch. Just pilots helping pilots.