Spirit Airlines to give mentorship to students

This month, the School of Aeronautics at Liberty University established its first partnership with Spirit Airlines, giving students the ability to fly for a major airline as soon as they meet all qualifications. 

Usually, graduates fly for regional companies until they accumulate enough experience to work for a major airline. This partnership allows students to transition directly to Spirit Airlines as Airbus A320 first officers. 

“I think it’s a recognition by Spirit of the quality of the Liberty graduates both in terms of their technical expertise as well as their unique character as we train Champions for Christ,” Rick Roof, dean of the School of Aeronautics, said. 

As part of the Spirit Wings Pilot Pathway Program, students receive mentorship from Spirit Airlines, go on visits to see the airline and get an electronic flight bag, which is a tablet with all the essential piloting tools. 

“The fact that we have more options with bigger carriers is really nice,” sophomore aviation major William Umstead said.

After their sophomore year, Liberty aviation students can apply to the program. They need a recommendation from a faculty member and will then be interviewed by Spirit Airlines. Upon selection, the students are given a conditional offer of employment. 

Before they are officially hired by Spirit Airlines, students first must meet the Restricted Airline Transport Pilot requirements. Program pilots will also receive mentorships in this partnership.

Then, they must complete the Airline Transport Pilot Certification Training Program, which is approved by Spirit Airlines, and the Jet Transition Course. 

“Spirit is probably going to be my main choice of airline,” Umstead said. 

Liberty is Spirit Airlines’ 10th partner to provide students directly to the airline upon meeting air transport qualifications.

“For pilots, they want to move ahead in their careers and fly the bigger airplanes,” Roof said.

The School of Aeronautics has an Industry Advisory Committee to stay in contact with the flight industry and look for opportunities like this. Connections at trade shows are also beneficial for making partnerships. 

Additionally, Roof said former Liberty students who work in the industry are encouraging their companies to form relationships with Liberty so partnerships like this can be made.

“In the next couple of years there will be a shortage of 600,000 pilots. Because of that shortage, Liberty graduates have options to fly for regional airlines working with cadet carriers or cargo holders,” Roof said. “All the industry is desperate for employees of this type.” 

A benefit of approved collegiate aviation programs is that they allow students to fly for airlines after accumulating 1,000 flight hours. Other programs require 1,500 flight hours.

As a reflection of the interest in Liberty Aeronautics, thirty employers, including those from Spirit Airlines were at the Aviation Maintenance Open House Sept. 25. Employers from Spirit Airlines were also at the Business and Communication Career Fair Sept. 26 to connect with students. 

“(The partnership is) a reflection of what God’s been doing here at the school,” Roof said. “We continue to grow; we continue to get university support.”

Joachim is a news reporter for the Liberty Champion