DOVER, Del. - Delaware State University has signed an agreement with United Airlines that will provide its aviation students the opportunity to enter into a pilot career development program with the company. The goal of the program is to provide a secure path to the United Airlines' flight deck and employment.
University President Tony Allen and Captain Mike Bonner, managing director of aviate and pilot strategy, signed the agreement on Thursday on the college's campus in Dover. Allen said the partnership has been years in the making. All parties are looking forward to building a talented pipeline of pilots and creating a partnership that would benefit students in their journeys to becoming professionals in the field.
"It is our intention to populate United Airlines with DSU graduates as pilots and various other aviation professionals at all levels of company management and leadership," said Lieutenant Colonel Michael Hales, current director of aviation at Del State. "This launch ceremony is particularly significant because it expands United Airlines' ability to gain access to recruit from our best and brightest students and graduates across all disciplines within Delaware State University, not just for our pilot graduates."
Del State's aviation program was established in 1987 and possesses a fleet of 26 airplanes. Currently the program has 110 professional pilot students and 47 majoring in aviation management. To join the United Aviate program, these students must meet eligibility requirements like:
- Completing at least two semesters of full-time coursework or graduating with an R-ATP eligible aviation major at the university.
- Being in good standing at Del State.
- Possessing a private pilots certificate and FAA medical certificate.
- Having no more than three primary training failures.
Once accepted, students in the program will continue training towards becoming United Airlines pilots by accumulating experience and could receive a conditional job offer. They then could have the opportunity to fly for a United Express or Part 135 partner and work towards becoming a United Airlines First Officer.