Universities teaming up with aviation for jobs, research
February 29, 2012, 12:56 pm
Western Michigan University's College of Aviation recently partnered with ExpressJet Airlines to launch a program allowing aviation students to start an early pilot screening process to better prepare them for future careers in aviation. The program aims to invest in the students with training and education, guaranteeing jobs for the students as first officers with ExpressJet upon graduating.
Through the Airline Pilot Pathway Program, WMU will work with ExpressJet Airlines and Delta Airlines to create curriculum for aviation students looking to work with the carriers. The goal of the program is to equip students with the necessary skills and preparation to land a job at Delta or ExpressJets after graduation, possibly leading to a lifelong career with the carriers, the Western Herald reported.
In an interview with the source, Dave Power, dean of the aviation college, said the new agreement should attract new, talented students to the aviation program at the university and around the country.
"For the successful candidate who meets all of the criteria set, ExpressJet Airlines is prepared to offer a guaranteed pilot job," Powell told the source. "The program is seeking the best of the best, so not all will qualify."
Another way pilots can prepare for long careers in aviation is to invest in pilot insurance to safeguard against the unexpected.
In addition, the University of Alaska Anchorage recently received UFA ATTower ATC training simulator software at its Aviation Technology Center on Merrill Field Airport. The ATTower simulator training technology at UAA aims to help prepare students for controller, pilot and data positions in the aviation industry. The training environment presented in the simulator is similar to the technology used at the Federal Aviation Administration's training program.
With the new simulator program, students are given a set of simulated tower displays such as ground radar, surveillance radar, lighting and device controls. The program comes with a fully integrated UFA ATRadio product to simulate the use of operational radio, telephony and intercom voice communications within the training environment.
In addition, the FAA designated UAA as part of the College Training Initiative Program, making the university one of 33 approved CTI Air Traffic Control schools in the nation. So far, UAA's ATC program has produced more than 400 aviation professionals, boasting a high graduation rate while integrating ATC technology into the coursework.
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