Partners With ERAU, UND, Cape Air For Pilot Training
JetBlue Airways announced Wednesday the creation of the Aviation
University Gateway, a career-planning and mentoring program
designed to identify and recruit talented men and women into the
professional pilot ranks, as the industry faces a shortage of
qualified pilots.

Through rigorous academic training and regional airline
experience, the Aviation University Gateway aims to create a
clearly-defined career path for aspiring pilots, beginning early in
an aviator's college career and culminating in the possibility of a
final interview at a major airline.
JetBlue is partnering
with aviation programs at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and
the University of North Dakota to fill the Aviation University
Gateway's ranks with candidates demonstrating potential as
professional pilots. The low-cost airline has also contracted with
Massachusetts-based regional carrier Cape Air, to give program
participants flying experience prior to interviewing at
JetBlue.
"Since JetBlue's inception eight years ago, we have filled our
cockpits with some of the airline world's finest pilots," said Dean
Melonas, the airline's vice president of recruitment. "JetBlue
remains a desirable choice among pilot candidates looking for an
innovative and unique culture, strong growth opportunity, and
competitive compensation.
"We are proud to be the first airline to provide the mentoring
and structure for a student from early on in his or her university
career, all the way through to the right seat of a JetBlue
aircraft," Melonas added. "We look forward to taking the mystery
out of the pilot career path with the Aviation University Gateway
program."

"Cape Air is thrilled to be part of this exciting program," said
Cape Air COO Dave Bushy. "Airlines like ours want to attract the
best employees and pilots in their formative years. We feel that
Cape Air can provide some of the finest aviation experience in the
world, while also flying to some beautiful destinations. Here at
Cape Air we believe this program is a homerun for the industry. We
look forward to serving as the first of many regional partners for
JetBlue in its Aviation University Gateway program."
"We are extremely
pleased to have been asked to join this program as a university
partner," said Dr. Tim Brady, dean of the College of Aviation at
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. "We are proud of our
accredited aviation programs and know that JetBlue will gain many
outstanding pilots through the Aviation University Gateway
Program."
The Aviation University Gateway path is open to Embry-Riddle or
North Dakota students with high academic standing (GPA of 3.0 or
above) and recommendations from their professors. It requires a
successful series of interviews with JetBlue and a regional airline
partner, as well as the continued enrollment in an Aviation
Accreditation Board International (ABBI)-accredited aviation
program. D
During the Gateway program, participants will intern at Cape Air
(and eventually other regional airline partners) and then serve as
an instructor at their respective flight school. Following that
process, candidates will fly with Cape Air for at least two years
and then be eligible for a final interview at JetBlue.