Parkland College Institute Of Aviation Partners With Republic Airways

Champaign, IL (Parkland College) - To help resupply American air carriers with well-trained pilots, the Institute of Aviation is pleased to announce signing a guaranteed interview agreement with Republic Airways.

"For years, many aviation experts have warned of an impending shortage of pilots for airlines as current pilots reach retirement age," said Sybil Phillips, Director of the Institute of Aviation. "To satisfy the demand for pilots the major airlines often draw from regional carriers like Republic Airways, who then must redouble their efforts to find qualified pilots. The Institute of Aviation feels well positioned to address these needs."

Jody Scott, Republic Airways Director of Talent Acquisition, said: "For our airline, schools like Parkland College have been a reliable source for well-qualified pilots. We are pleased to enter into an extended partnership with the Institute of Aviation, where we will guarantee interviews for the College's exceptional graduates." Republic Airways is a partner with American Airlines, Delta Air Lines and United Airlines.

"We have several Institute of Aviation alumni on our Republic staff and among our pilot group already," Scott added. "In fact, in a recent application process for a recruitment leadership role, nearly a dozen graduates from the program stepped up to put their name in the hat. The reputation these men and women have within our Company is a big reason we hope to continue hiring Institute students."

Founded more than 40 years ago as the small turboprop commuter Chautauqua Airlines in Jamestown, N.Y., Indianapolis-based Republic Airways Holdings has grown into one of the nation's largest regional carriers with more than $1.2 billion in annual revenue, a fleet of about 200 aircraft and approximately 1,000 scheduled daily flights to 110 cities in the U.S., Canada and the Caribbean. With a livery of mainly Embraer 170s and 175s, the Company is the world's largest operation of Embraer aircraft. Employing about 6,000 aviation professionals across the country, Republic owns Republic Airways and Shuttle America, collectively "the airlines." The airlines operate fixed-fee flights under major airline partner brands, including American Eagle, Delta Connection and United Express. For more information, visit www.rjet.com or follow the Company's social media accounts on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

"The Institute of Aviation's high standards of academic achievement, airmanship, and character are valued and respected by employers worldwide," said Wendy Evans, recruiter for Parkland's Institute of Aviation. This reputation and the alumni network aid in securing quality employment as graduates build time toward higher pilot certificates as they pursue careers in aviation.

The Institute of Aviation enrollees can earn an Associate's Degree in Aviation, choosing a program leading to an Associate in Science (Aviation) with an option to transfer to a four-year school. Students will earn the private pilot certification, an instrument rating, and the commercial pilot certification with a multi-engine rating in a sequential manner during Parkland's program.

The Institute of Aviation's reputation of producing outstanding alumni dates back to its founding in 1946. Institute alumni fly for all major U.S. airlines and for military, corporate, cargo, and charter organizations worldwide. More than 3,000 Institute of Aviation graduates have gone on to train other pilots as instructors.

FACTS ABOUT PARKLAND COLLEGE INSTITUTE OF AVIATION Parkland College is a community college located in Champaign, Illinois. Through Parkland's program, students can earn a transferable Associate of Science in Aviation degree, FAA-approved private pilot certification, and commercial pilot ratings. Parkland is leasing the University of Illinois' fleet of airplanes, equipment, and ground school facilities under a three-year agreement. More information can be found at http://www.parkland.edu/aviation.

MORE ABOUT PARKLAND COLLEGE Parkland College is a fully accredited, public community college established to serve the needs of District 505, the third largest community college district in Illinois. The college is a center for educational opportunity and community enrichment in east central Illinois and has earned a national reputation for excellent academic standards, innovative programs, and quality instruction.

Built on 233 acres of landscaped grounds in Champaign, Illinois, the beautiful, quiet campus is situated near the intersection of Interstates 57, 72, and 74 and is just four miles west of the University of Illinois campus. Parkland is a reasonable drive from downtown Chicago, Indianapolis, or St. Louis.

Parkland College facilities include more than 150 classrooms and labs, an extensive library collection, an FM radio station, an educational TV station, an experimental agricultural land laboratory, an art gallery, championship Cobra athletics, and excellent physical education and recreation facilities, including a newly remodeled fitness center. Our cultural center contains a 320-seat performing arts theater and a 50-foot dome planetarium, the second largest in Illinois. Parkland also has a child development center to serve the needs of faculty, staff, students, and families in our community.