Flight students at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, the leading aviation and aerospace institution, now have broader opportunities for potential employment as a First Officer with United Airlines, thanks to a cooperative recruitment and development program called Aviate™.
“Through the Aviate program, Embry-Riddle flight students can apply to step onto a career path that’s tailored to their experience level while they build flight hours and develop as aviation leaders who are eligible for meaningful, high-paying jobs,” said University President P. Barry Butler.
“It’s a wonderful additional career opportunity for our flight students, who are always in high demand. We are honored to partner with United to help build a strong aviation workforce.”
The Aviate program will be available to students on both of Embry-Riddle’s residential campuses, located in Daytona Beach, Fla., and Prescott, Ariz., and supervised by College of Aviation Deans Dr. Alan Stolzer and Dr. Tim Holt, respectively.
Curt Brunjes, Managing Director of Pilot Strategy said, “United’s Aviate program is one of many ways that we are working to broaden the pipeline of top talent to United. We are pleased to be partnered in this effort with Embry-Riddle, an aviation university well-known for decades of leadership in education and preparation of leaders in the cockpit and beyond.”
United’s goal is to hire more than 10,000 pilots within the next decade.
Embry-Riddle has joined an elite network of other top universities, commercial flight training organizations, Part 135 operators, and United Express carriers offering the Aviate program, which serves both university flight students and commercial pilots hoping to advance their careers. The program is available to current flight students at Embry-Riddle as well as recent graduates who are working for the university as certified flight instructors. Applicants must have a minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA in their aviation major.
The University currently participates in partnerships with several airlines. All such programs are designed to nurture future commercial pilots while addressing workforce needs, said Dr. Michael Wiggins, professor and chair of Aeronautical Science at Embry-Riddle’s Daytona Beach Campus. “Given the global shortage of pilots and aviation maintenance professionals, programs such as Aviate are vitally important to students as well as the aviation industry,” he said.
