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Purdue University to Join the Atlas Air University Pipeline Program

West Lafayette, IN, May 9, 2023 – Atlas Air, Inc., a subsidiary of Atlas Air Worldwide Holdings, Inc., today announced that Purdue University has joined its University Pipeline Program for high demand roles within Atlas Air. Through the program, Atlas Air will recruit, train and hire qualified graduates of Purdue University, which currently has over 1,000 students participating in their aviation programs.

“We are excited to officially partner with Purdue University, a leader in aviation education,” said Patricia Goodwin-Peters, Senior Vice President, Human Resources for Atlas Air Worldwide. “We’ve had the pleasure of getting to know Purdue students through project development, and we are delighted to make this partnership official while developing the future talent pipeline for Atlas Air.”

Purdue University and Atlas Air partnered on various projects in the past, including a mutual project with Atlas Air’s Flight Operations team in 2022 and the National Aviation Symposium. Purdue University students have also visited Atlas Air’s state-of-the-art Global Control Center near Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport (CVG) and participated in the final delivery of the last B747-8F.

Placing Graduates in High-demand Positions

This program is designed to grow Atlas Air’s pipeline of qualified applicants for employment in high-demand positions and to increase employment opportunities for Purdue University graduates.

“We are very pleased to partner with Atlas Air in providing talented graduates to meet the growing demand for this sector of the aviation ecosystem, said Mike Suckow, Professor of Practice and Associate Head for Engagement. “We commend Atlas for their forward thinking and recognition that as a comprehensive university we develop talented individuals for Tech Ops and Ground Ops along with Flight Ops.”

Program Criteria

Candidates for the pipeline program must:

  • Maintain a 3.0 GPA
  • Not have any TSA Records Check disqualifications
  • Submit an application, resume and introduction detailing their aviation journey, career aspirations and continue to update resume and total time (if applicable).
  • Submit a Letter of recommendation from a representative of the specific industry affiliated program

Pilot Pathway to Success Program

Graduates selected to take part in the Atlas Air Pathway to Success program will be granted preferential interviews with Atlas Air. To be considered, candidates must meet these and other criteria:

  • Graduate with the required courses completed to qualify for a Restricted Airline Transport Pilot (R-ATP) after accumulation of required minimum flying time and experience
  • Serve as full time or part time CFI at Purdue or Purdue Aviation
  • Ability to hold a First Class medical certificate
  • No more than 2 training failures on required ratings (excluding private pilot)
  • Letter of Recommendation from a Flight Instructor and/or Professor or other
    Purdue representative from the Aircraft Operations (Flight) program
  • Reach R-ATP eligibility and required minimum flying experience within two years of graduation (extenuating circumstances will be considered)
  • Candidate must not be part of any other airline pathway or cadet program after signing the offer letter with Atlas

For complete details, and to determine eligibility, Purdue University students should contact Vicki Gilbert, Recruiting, Placement & Internship Coordinator, at vgilbert@purdue.edu.

About Purdue University

Purdue University is a top public research institution developing practical solutions to today’s toughest challenges. Ranked in each of the last five years as one of the 10 Most Innovative universities in the United States by U.S. News & World Report, Purdue delivers world-changing research and out-of-this-world discovery. Committed to hands-on and online, real-world learning, Purdue offers a transformative education to all. Committed to affordability and accessibility, Purdue has frozen tuition and most fees at 2012-13 levels, enabling more students than ever to graduate debt-free. See how Purdue never stops in the persistent pursuit of the next giant leap at https://stories.purdue.edu.

About Atlas Air Worldwide

Atlas Air Worldwide is a leading global provider of outsourced aircraft and aviation operating services. It is the parent company of Atlas Air, Inc., and Titan Aviation Holdings, Inc., and is the majority shareholder of Polar Air Cargo Worldwide, Inc. Our companies operate the world’s largest fleet of 747 freighter aircraft and provide customers the broadest array of Boeing 747, 777, 767 and 737 aircraft for domestic, regional and international cargo and passenger operations.