Liberty School of Aeronautics enters pilot hiring agreement with Frontier Airlines

Liberty University School of Aeronautics has partnered with Frontier Airlines in a pipeline agreement that will help graduates launch their careers in commercial aviation.

The partnership comes at an opportune time as the demand for air travel continues to increase, making graduates of high-level flight training programs like Liberty’s valuable recruits for airlines.

“Frontier is pleased to add Liberty University as a member of our pilot pipeline program,” said Brad Lambert, Frontier Airlines’ Vice President of Flight Operations. “Pilots we have hired from these types of programs bring the skills and knowledge they have honed over several years to our flight decks and have been very successful at Frontier. We are certain Liberty pilots will continue in this fine tradition.”

A presentation to commemorate the partnership took place Thursday night in the Montview Student Union, Alumni Ballroom, followed by an information session led by Frontier Airlines representatives for prospective graduating student-pilots. Steve Schuller, Frontier’s Senior Vice President of Human Resources; Capt. Andrew Hall, Frontier’s Atlanta Base Chief Pilot; and First Officer Roger Hanchak, a Pilot Mentor/Recruiter for Frontier who is a 2020 graduate of Liberty’s School of Aeronautics, participated in the presentation.

Interested students must undergo an interview process and meet eligibility requirements, including a recommendation from a faculty member or member of the flight operations leadership. Upon acceptance, the students will receive a conditional offer of employment as a First Officer with Frontier.

Frontier, headquartered in Denver, operates flights to more than 100 destinations in the United States, Caribbean, Mexico, and Latin America, and employs more than 8,000 staff.

“We are thrilled to partner with Frontier Airlines in this exciting new pipeline agreement,” said Liberty School of Aeronautics Interim Dean Steven Brinly. “This collaboration provides our graduates with exceptional career opportunities while helping to address the critical need for skilled pilots. Liberty University School of Aeronautics is committed to Training Champions for Christ who will impact the aerospace industry. This partnership is a testament to the quality of our program. We look forward to seeing many more graduates soar to new heights with Frontier Airlines.”

Lauren Chennault (’22) became a first officer at Frontier earlier this year and said the airline has been “fantastic to work for.” Chennault is a former member of the Lady Flames’ Swimming & Diving program and a School of Aeronautics instructor who is now based out of Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW) Airport. “Going from flying a Cessna Skyhawk (172S) or a Piper (PA-44) Seminole to an A320 or an A321 Airbus that seats 170-220 passengers is a big jump, but during the training, it didn’t feel like that big of a leap because of how organized it was. The training department environment was wonderful.”

Jacob Duncan (’20) joined Frontier as a first officer seven years after his father, Doug Duncan (’94) began flying for the airline. (Doug received his business degree before the School of Aeronautics started.) Jacob, 26, is based out of Tampa (Fla.) International Airport, and said the flexibility of schedule was a major draw.

“I would recommend it,” he said. “Growing up, my dad was always out flying corporate for small companies. He’s been happy here at Frontier. I want to have days off, and the best quality of life so when I start having kids, I can spend time with them.”

He said Frontier is a well-organized, well-run, growing company that is working on implementing new technologies and expanding and upgrading its fleet.

“The company was projecting it would double in size in five years when I got hired here in June of 2022, and that has stayed true.”

To learn more about the program and the application process, email aeronautics@liberty.edu.

ABOUT LIBERTY UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF AERONAUTICS

The Liberty University School of Aeronautics is one of North America’s largest faith-based collegiate aviation programs. Liberty offers undergraduate training for pilots, UAS operators, administrators, and maintenance technicians, as well as online training for pilots who train at over 75 locations nationwide. For those looking to elevate their aviation career, Liberty offers 100% online Master’s in Aeronautics and Doctor of Philosophy in Aviation programs.

ABOUT FRONTIER AIRLINES

Frontier Airlines, Inc., a subsidiary of Frontier Group Holdings, Inc. (Nasdaq: ULCC), is committed to “Low Fares Done Right.” Headquartered in Denver, Colorado, the Company operates 148 A320 family aircraft and has the largest A320neo family fleet in the U.S. The use of these aircraft, along with Frontier’s high-density seating configuration and weight-saving initiatives, have contributed to Frontier’s continued ability to be the most fuel-efficient of all major U.S. carriers when measured by ASMs per fuel gallon consumed. With nearly 200 new Airbus planes on order, Frontier will continue to grow to deliver on the mission of providing affordable travel across America and beyond.