All Signed On Just After Graduation

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University has successfully placed three graduates of its Commercial Airline Pilot Training (CAPT) program as first officers at Atlanta-based Atlantic Southeast Airlines - another milestone for the program, which was started by the university a little more than a year ago.

Charles Allen, Andrew Coleman, and Patrick Lo were signed on as first officers by ASA shortly after they graduated from the full-immersion program, which trains individuals with no flight experience to the highest standards of the commercial airline industry. Atlantic Southeast Airlines is a Delta Connection carrier and operates more than 800 daily flights to 116 airports across North America and the Caribbean.

"The CAPT program trains pilots that can command today's and tomorrow's modern aircraft with mature, sound judgment," said Gary Morrison, CAPT's MD-90 program manager. "These gentlemen have proven and will continue to prove that the heart, the mind and the right attitude, coupled with superior training, is the correct combination. Their hiring as flight deck officers by ASA continues to add merit to the concept."

"ASA has been pleased with the talent generated through Embry-Riddle's new CAPT program thus far," said Julie Skoglund, pilot recruiter for ASA. "We are excited to continue our partnership with Embry-Riddle as they grow and enhance the CAPT program to provide the aptitude and attitude that ASA seeks in pilot candidates. ASA firmly believes the best pilots are those trained not only as excellent airmen and women, but also as customer service professionals and leaders for our airline. We look forward to pursuing relationships with more CAPT graduates in the future and introducing them to our exciting airline."

ASA hired Allen, Coleman, and Lo just after they successfully completed the CAPT Program's demanding jet airliner DC-9 series type-rating course. The course teaches airline operations skills and expert knowledge about complex jet transport category operations in an airline environment. Training in the Boeing MD-90, a Level-D simulator with modern 'glass-cockpit' displays, full-fidelity visual systems, and six-axis motion capabilities, is recognized by the FAA as jet aircraft time. CAPT cadets log at least 100 hours of flight time and gain experience in both pilot-in-command and second-in-command positions while earning their DC-9 captain's type rating.

Charles Allen graduated from LaPlata High School in LaPlata, MD. He attended Pennsylvania State University, where he was active in Navy ROTC and the Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity. He graduated in 2001 with a degree in business logistics.

Andrew Coleman graduated from Saint Mary's High School in Paducah, KY. In 2003, he received a bachelor's degree in aviation management and flight from Jacksonville University. He is president of a property investment and management firm.

Patrick Lo graduated from J.E. McAteer High School in San Francisco, CA. He attended Embry-Riddle, graduating in 2002 with a bachelor's in professional aeronautics. He worked as a maintenance technician on DC-8 and Airbus 300 aircraft before enrolling in the CAPT program.

FMI: www.captprogram.org