As Dearth of Pilots Continues, Another Carrier Turns to Growing its Own

Delta Air Lines has opened the Propel Flight Academy in Vero Beach, Florida as part of a greater push to bring up the next generation of company pilots. Working with Delta on the project is local flight instruction outfit Skyborne, itself a fairly big name in the zero-to-hero pilot pipeline scene. The firm is one of a few working along with the carrier on its long-term goal of fostering in-house talent for the flight deck, with a handful of differing paths. Delta's "Propel" program has options for zero-time company people, commercial single pilots, and street hires to work their way through the FAA ratings up past entry-level flying work and turbine time building.