Page 18 - MGATODAY-Spring2019

“Student Aviators”– Eight MGA students were selected to participate in the first class of the Delta Propel program. L-R: Jacob White,
George McCulloch, Aaron George, Chris Techman, Andrew Noll, Trevor Powalowski, and Pablo Chavarria. Not pictured,
Patrick Tygett. Photo by Lee Greenway.

Students selected to participate in the these first Knights to enter the program all express
Propel program are assigned a Delta mentor and appreciation for the opportunity.
do regular check-ins with the airline. After “A program like Propel is huge,” said junior
completing their MGA degree, they build Pablo Chavarria. “Even in programs like engi-
experience in one of three career routes: flying neering or law, you may not have a job waiting.
for a Delta Connection carrier, the military, or It gives you a sense of satisfaction, knowing you
Delta Private Jets before moving into a right-seat have some job security, even before you graduate.”
(First Officer) job with Delta. As long as students Looking forward, all of MGA’s Propel
achieve the milestones in the program, they can students are planning to spend the time between
progress through their career route to Delta on a graduation and Delta flying for a regional airline.
defined timeline of 42 months or less. Before any Two of the eight selected students have already
of that happens, however, the students go through begun or will soon begin their training with a
the exact same interviews, tests, and screening Delta Connection carrier.
process as every other Delta Air Lines pilot. In addition to flying passengers with a Delta
“Everything’s the same,” said senior Jacob Connection airline, Chavarria plans to supple-
White of the selection process. “We’re just doing it ment his flight time with service in the Air
a lot younger.” National Guard. “I feel like I owe it to myself and
“It went quickly,” said Aaron George, recent my family, and I owe it to my country,” he said,
graduate and current flight instructor at the discussing his plans to spend time in the cockpit
School of Aviation. “It feels like it happens over- of an ANG C-130 transport plane.
night, and then you wait a few weeks on your “We’re very proud of our first class,” said Lyle
knees, praying.” Perry, assistant chief pilot of the University’s flight
Eight of MGA’s student aviators were selected program. “We know our students are among the
to become members of the first class of Propel best out there, and we’re excited to see them being
students. Juniors, seniors, and recent graduates recognized by an industry leader like Delta.”
with between 240 and 765 hours in the cockpit, “That’s why we love schools like this,” said
Lauer. “It’s a higher caliber of student.” ■

18 MIDDLE GEORGIA STATE UNIVERSITY