As Dearth of Pilots Continues, Another Carrier Turns to Growing its Own

Delta Air Lines has opened the Propel Flight Academy in Vero Beach, Florida as part of a greater push to bring up the next generation of company pilots.

Working with Delta on the project is local flight instruction outfit Skyborne, itself a fairly big name in the zero-to-hero pilot pipeline scene. The firm is one of a few working along with the carrier on its long-term goal of fostering in-house talent for the flight deck, with a handful of differing paths. Delta has options for zero-time company people, commercial single pilots, and street hires to work their way through the FAA ratings up past entry-level flying work and turbine time building. 

Skyborne’s Vero Beach home is a solid choice for a training hub, boasting accessible travel connections and nice flying weather for most of the year. Skyborne’s location will train candidates from among longtime Delta employees (technically 3 years or more) with a PPL certificate. They will go on to gain their commercial cert on to being a CFI, which will hopefully sustain them through to the point of moving on up to a Delta Connection carrier. From there, the pilots will spend “42 months or less” at their small carrier before being tapped to make the jump to Delta proper (given the dearth of FO’s, expect that 42 months to be somewhat pessimistic). 

“Our partnership with Delta is founded in a shared value of excellence and the ambition to produce the highest standard of airline pilots in the world," said Ed Davidson, managing director. "At Skyborne, every aspect of our training is designed to prepare cadets for airline operations in terms of core knowledge and decision making, flight deck procedures and professionalism. Our team is looking forward to welcoming our first class of Delta Propel Program pilots as they embark on this exciting step in their career.”

FMI: www.skyborne.com