Carrier Plans To Triple In Size Through 2019, Hiring Pilots

CommutAir, a United Express carrier (UAL), has made some changes to its Flight Operations leadership team, effective immediately.

Justin Conrad, Vice President and Director of Operations, has decided to return to active flying to follow his passion. CommutAir's FAR 119 Chief Pilot, Captain David Fitzgerald, has been appointed Vice President of Flight Operations and Chief Pilot, and Captain Jacob Lofting has been promoted to serve as the Company's FAR 119 Director of Operations.

David graduated from DePauw University and holds a Master of Business Administration from the University of Maryland; he has amassed over 12,500 flight hours throughout his career.  Before joining CommutAir in 2015, David held pilot leadership positions at another large regional airline.  David is a devout family man who can also be found playing competitive tennis at a local club.   He will be relocating from Virginia to Ohio with his wife Kimberley and their three children.

Jake joined CommutAir as a pilot in 2007 and has been a member of the flight operations management team since 2012. He has served as a check pilot and DHC-8 Program Manager in addition to becoming qualified on the Embraer ERJ145 aircraft. Jake is a graduate of the University of Central Missouri with a Bachelor of Science in Aviation Technology and has multiple type ratings with over 5,200 flight hours. Jake enjoys spending time outdoors with his family and reading a good book. He resides in Ohio with his wife Cassie and three children.

"I would like to thank Justin for his dedicated service to CommutAir, including his leadership role in bringing the ERJ145 onto our ops spec.  He leaves the Flight Operations Leadership team in good hands with David, who joined the CommutAir family on the leading edge of our growth story, and Jake, who has been Justin's deputy for a couple of years," said Joel Raymond, Chief Operating Officer.  "David's demonstrated business acumen and leadership experience in the regional airline industry will be invaluable as we continue to execute our rapid expansion plans of tripling in size over the next two years.  Jake's experience as Assistant Director of Operations will facilitate a seamless transition into his new role as our FAR 119 Director of Operations, assuring that our philosophy of achieving the highest safety standards is delivered without exception."

Through 2019, CommutAir will triple in size to an all-jet fleet of up to 61 aircraft and actively hire in all areas. CommutAir's industry-leading Pilot benefits include:

• Fastest United Career Path Program (CPP) graduate: 2 Years 10 Days
• Captain Pay for First Officer program
• Retention Bonuses for Captains
• Rapid upgrades
• Top-Tier pay and benefits – including the industry's first and best Commuter policy

(Source: CommuteAir news release)

FMI: www.flycommutair.com/careers/pilots