College of Business Dean Michael Casson, Aviation Program Director Lt. Col. Michael Hales (both standing in suit jackets) and a group of DSU Aviation students flanks the seated Jackie Griffith, DSU Chief of Staff and Capt. Jeff Carlson, Atlas Air Sr. VP of Flight Operation, after the two signed a new agreement that establishes the air provider's University Pathway to Success Program at DSU, which will enable Aviation graduates to pursue a direct career path of flying Boeing 737 as a First Officer early in their career. — *In this photo:* College of Business Dean Michael Casson, Aviation Program Director Lt. Col. Michael Hales (both standing in suit jackets) and a group of DSU Aviation students flanks the seated Jackie Griffith, DSU Chief of Staff and Capt. Jeff Carlson, Atlas Air Sr. VP of Flight Operation, after the two signed a new agreement that establishes the air provider’s University Pathway to Success Program at DSU, which will enable Aviation graduates to pursue a direct career path of flying Boeing 737 as a First Officer early in their career.

On Campus

DSU, Atlas Air sign pact giving Aviation grads a path to fly 737s

Monday, December 11, 2023

Delaware State University and Atlas Air recently signed a new partnership that will provide Aviation graduates with another viable career path option.

The agreement – signed on Nov. 30 by Jackie Griffith, DSU Chief of Staff and Vice President for University Relations and Community Affairs, and Capt. Jeff Carlson, Atlas Air Senior Vice President of Flight Operations – establishes the air provider’s University Pathway to Success Program as a possibility for Aviation graduates.

The Program provides a direct path for DSU Aviation graduates in which Atlas will provide them with training and coursework that will prepare these early career pilots to pass the Restricted-Airline Transport Pilot (R-ATP) ratings exams as well as a Jet Transition Course that will prepare them to fly a Boeing 737.

Once successfully passing those required courses and exams, Atlas will offer them a job as a Boeing 737 First Officer.

“Providing these graduates with a jump-start for their career, this Program offers a rare opportunity to DSU Aviation graduates to start their career flying Boeing 737s as a First Officer,” said Lt. Col. Michael Hales, Director of the DSU Aviation Program. “They can go from being a flight instructor flying single-engine airplanes to being employed by Atlas Air as a cargo pilot flying a Boeing 737.”

Atlas Air, Inc. is a major American cargo airline, passenger charter airline, and aircraft lessor based in Purchase, New York. It is a wholly owned subsidiary of Atlas Air Worldwide Holdings. In addition to possessing Boeing 737s, 757s and 767s, Atlas Air is the world’s largest operator of the Boeing 747 aircraft, with a total fleet of 54 of that specific fleet type.

With its headquarters in Purchase, New York and a flight operations center in Erlanger, Kentucky, Atlas Air operates flights on an aircraft & CMI and air charter basis for airlines, express operators, freight forwarders, charter brokers, global shippers, and the U.S. military, along with dry-leasing freighter aircraft. Atlas Air has global operations established in Africa, Asia, the Pacific, Europe, the Middle East, North America, and South America, and flies to more than 300 global destinations.