Delta Airlines has announced a partnership to put Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University students on a quicker path from classroom to cockpit.
The program would accelerate the timeline for students to become pilots and get job offers in 42 months or less.
Juan Merkt, chair of Aeronautical Science at Embry-Riddle Prescott, said there are three career paths students can take. “One of them is flying for one of the Delta connection carriers. The other one is through the military. And the third one is through Delta Private Jets which is the corporate flight department of Delta which flies business jets.”
Regional carrier Skywest Airlines previously announced a similar partnership with the university.
Low pay, long a factor in pilot shortages, has improved since a 2014 GAO report showed starting salaries for commercial aviators under $30,000.
Merkt said that figure is now between $40,000 and $60,000.
