Ready For Take Off

What’s better than learning how to fly an aircraft? – actually flying one. And now, Lynn University’s Burton D. Morgan School of Aeronautics students can do so thanks to the new partnership between the university and Spirit Airlines, one of the fastest-growing airlines in the country.

Spirit Wings Pilot Pathway is the airline’s first university-based pilot training program. According to a press release, it allows students to attend a traditional university while gaining valuable experience toward a future career flying the carrier’s signature yellow planes. “Spirit Wings Pilot Pathway aims to expand the airline’s pipeline of professional pilots by offering mentorship, program guidance and a clearly defined path to become a Spirit First Officer,” it says.

There are certain requisites students need to fill in to make it into the program. First, they can only apply after completing their sophomore year. Furthermore, they need a recommendation from a faculty member in the school’s College of Aeronautics and must go through an interview process. If successful, students are granted a conditional offer of employment and mentorship as they work toward completing their degree program and the flight hours required for an Airline Transport Pilot certificate.

“I think this partnership is great for a small school to potentially pull in other partnerships from other airlines,” says Levi Greenberger, 21, an Aviation Operation junior student at Lynn University. “It will give students a chance of an amazing opportunity to work for one of the leading ultra-low-cost airlines in the country. I hope to see many students apply for the program. It shows how a small school can make a major impact.”

Lynn University’s College of Aeronautics had been part of the College of Business and Management for over three decades. Then, in 2017, the Burton D. Morgan School of Aeronautics became its own college. The aeronautics school is located at Boca Raton Airport, has a virtual pilot stimulator and a meteorological center. According to the university’s website, the College of Aeronautics is, “helping to address the industry’s staffing problems by providing much-needed training, technology and professional development to meet increasing demands from the airline industry in South Florida.”

In the press release, Spirit Airline’s Senior Director of Flight Operations and System Chief Pilot, Ryan Rodosta, says that “Lynn and Spirit both have a strong presence in South Florida, which makes for an exciting collaboration as the school develops highly skilled pilots for our growing airline.”

Greenberger says, “aviation is my happy place. I live and breathe aviation. Whenever I’m on an aircraft, it always excited me knowing I would be flying it one day.”