Expert: David A. NewMyer - 3/9/2006

Question
my son is currently a junior majoring in aviation operations and has obtained his ratings up to multi-engine.  he's also working as a ramp manager (i think that's the title) at and international airport.  he's considering his options as he heads into his senior year, and would like to find an internship or work co-op that would offer him some experience.  do you have any suggestions where to find interships/co-ops, and if so how can he better his odds of acceptance?  ultimately he wants a piloting career, but we know there are restrictions with his current experience.  thanks!

Answer
HI, Carol:

Thanks for your question about aviation internships and co-ops.  I will try to assist.

Regarding internships in flight operations, there are a number of options out there that he can check into.  There are a number of flight operations internships out there at major airlines, but, some of the availability depends on the institution where your son attends school.  In other words, some of the airlines have agreements with specific schools and others do a more general, nationwide selection.  The school where I work (Southern Illinois University Carbondale), for example, works directly through flight operations internship agreements with a total of six airlines and also refers interns to at least three other airlines with whom we have no specific agreement.

Examples of airlines where flight operations internships are available include:

1.  Southwest Airlines....go to their website at www.southwest.com  to check them out.  The deadline is coming up very soon if it is not already past for summer.  This program is one where the student must apply directly.

2.  American Airlines....this airline has a widely available flight operations internship program and works with most collegiate aviation degree programs.  He should contact his school on this one.

3.  JetBlue Airways....check their website at www.jetblue.com for "summer crew" job listings.  These are the internships.  On flight operations intern selections, they will only select students from schools accredited by the Council on Aviaton Accreditation.

4.  United Airlines does have some internships available in flight operations or in flight safety, but, I am not sure of the contacts on this one.  They have just emerged from Chapter 11 bankruptcy and have had very limited internships since 2002, but, this intern program will expand later this year.

5.  Federal Express (FEDEX) has flight internships mostly in its "flight coordination" department (dispatch area).  Contact FEDEX via their website to find out more.

I am not sure about Northwest or Delta....I do not know if they have any internships right now.

Some smaller airlines also have limited internship programs.  Your son's best bet is to contact any airline of interest via the flight operations department and ask them directly about any options.

Regarding application criteria for internships, most airlines want the students coming in to have an FAA Commercial Certificate with Instrument and Multi Engine Ratings....some prefer a Flight Instructor (Airplane) certificate.  But, that is mostly a preference and not a requirement.  Remember, several of these airlines have their interns working directly in their flight training area.  As a result, having an intern that knows as much as possible about flight instruction is an advantage.  Multi Engine ratings are required since the student might be expected to operate (with some training) a multi engine turbine flight simulator (which is very advantageous to the student).

Since he is already working in operations or ramp operations, there are also internship possiblities in those areas at airports....but, if he wants that information, ask me in a follow up question via AllExperts.com

I hope that this information is of assistance to you.

Sincerely,

David A. NewMyer, Ph.D., Professor and Chair
Aviation Management and Flight
Southern Illinois University Carbondale
http://www.aviation.siu.edu