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  1. UNO
  2. News
  3. 2022
  4. 11
  5. UNO Partnership with United Airlines to Provide Career Pathways to the Flight Deck

UNO Partnership with United Airlines to Provide Career Pathways to the Flight Deck

As an Aviate university partner, former and current UNO students and instructors who apply and are successful in the Aviate selection process will join the program and benefit from the defined path to a lifelong career at United.

  • published: 2022/11/10
  • contact: Brandon Bartling - Office of Strategic Marketing and Communications
  • email: unonews@unomaha.edu
  • search keywords:
  • United Aviate
  • UNO Aviation Institute
  • Workforce Development
  • Aviation
The ribbon cutting ceremony celebrating UNO's new partnership with United Airlines.

The ribbon cutting ceremony celebrating UNO's new partnership with United Airlines.

United Airlines Perry Lewis, left, and Chancellor Joanne Li, Ph.D., CFA, sign the Aviate program agreement.

United Airlines Perry Lewis, left, and Chancellor Joanne Li, Ph.D., CFA, sign the Aviate program agreement.

College of Public Affairs and Community Service (CPACS) Dean John Bartle, Ph.D.

College of Public Affairs and Community Service (CPACS) Dean John Bartle, Ph.D.

Students interested in aviation attend the ribbon cutting ceremony celebrating UNO's new partnership with United Airlines.

Students interested in aviation attend the ribbon cutting ceremony celebrating UNO's new partnership with United Airlines.

From left: Scott Lutte, Becky Lutte, and Steve Lutte

From left: Scott Lutte, Becky Lutte, Ph.D., and Steve Lutte.

United Airlines pilot Monica Frain speaks at the ribbon cutting ceremony celebrating UNO's new partnership with United Airlines.

United Airlines pilot Monica Frain speaks at the ribbon cutting ceremony celebrating UNO's new partnership with United Airlines.

United Airlines pilot Monica Frain, right, speaks with UNO aviation students.

United Airlines pilot Monica Frain, right, speaks with UNO aviation students at the ribbon cutting ceremony celebrating UNO's new partnership with United Airlines.

Chancellor Li greeting United Airlines pilots at the ribbon cutting ceremony celebrating UNO's new partnership with United Airlines.

Chancellor Li greeting United Airlines pilots at the ribbon cutting ceremony celebrating UNO's new partnership with United Airlines.

The University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO) and United Airlines announced a new partnership to provide career pathways for aviators through Aviate, United’s industry-leading pilot career development program. As an Aviate university partner, former and current UNO students and instructors who apply and are successful in the Aviate selection process will join the program and benefit from the defined path to a lifelong career at United.

“Through this partnership with Aviate, students who come to UNO’s Aviation Institute have a unique opportunity to secure their career pathway in aviation while they work on their education and flight training,” said Scott Vlasek, Director of UNO’s Aviation Institute. “This is a remarkable opportunity to boost the aviation workforce here in Nebraska and across the industry, and I look forward to seeing our students launch their careers through this program.”

Students and faculty filled the room in the College of Public Affairs and Community Service (CPACS) on Thursday to learn more about the partnership. Interested aviation students had the opportunity to hear from United Airlines pilots, ask questions about the training required, and gain an understanding of what life would be like in a career with United — from travel privileges and work-life balance to what a day in the life looks like for a pilot flying both domestically and internationally.

"When a major airline like United shows up on campus, and to have this kind of [student] turnout, I think it really speaks to how important it is and how excited they are," Vlasek told KETV NewsWatch 7.

UNO is among 14 Aviate university partners nationwide and the only partner in the state of Nebraska. Since its inception in 1990, UNO’s Aviation Institute has offered flight instruction and education in many other facets of aviation with leading experts in the field, cutting-edge facilities, and opportunities for experience and career development.

“We are excited to welcome UNO into the Aviate program,” said Captain Michael Bonner, Managing Director of Aviate and Pilot Strategy at United. “We look forward to the mutual opportunity this partnership brings to current, former and future students as part of our pilot development strategy.”

Applicants selected to join the program will receive a conditional job offer from United which will be fulfilled once participants earn a Restricted Airline Transport Pilot license (rATP), which requires a minimum of 1,000 hours of flight experience at UNO and fly 2,000 hours over 24 months with a United Express partner. Upon completing these requirements, participants will then be eligible to transition to United as First Officers.

"Knowing you have a job at United Airlines after two years at their regional partner? That's pretty phenomenal," Vlasek told 6 News.

Becky Lutte, Ph.D., associate professor within UNO's Aviation Institute, spoke with KMTV 3 News Now about the potential impact this partnership could have on the aviation industry, future pilots, and the university. "It's a great boost and it's really a win-win for the industry and UNO. We know we have a pilot supply issue isn't the industry now so the airlines are coming to us now looking for the top talent and we are happy to provide it," Lutte said.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects about 18,100 openings on average for airline and commercial pilots each year. United currently employs over 14,000 pilots and are on track to hire 10,000 pilots this decade.

Additional information about UNO’s partnership with Aviate including eligibility requirements and application information can be found on the UNO Aviation Institute website.

About the University of Nebraska at Omaha

Located in one of America’s best cities to live, work and learn, the University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO) is Nebraska’s premier metropolitan university. With more than 15,000 students enrolled in 200-plus programs of study, UNO is recognized nationally for its online education, graduate education, military friendliness and community engagement efforts. Founded in 1908, UNO has served learners of all backgrounds for more than 100 years and is dedicated to another century of excellence both in the classroom and in the community.

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