Embry-Riddle and Northwest Sign Dual Track Hiring Agreement

The comprehensive agreement establishes initial selection criteria, specific course requirements, minimum flight experience requirements, and transport category aircraft training at Northwest Airlines for qualified aeronautical science students at Embry-Riddle's residential campuses. Under the agreement, selected students will have the opportunity to gain employment with Northwest Airlines immediately following graduation.

"We are delighted to enter into this landmark agreement with Northwest. This program shrinks the gap between degree completion and employment as a flight crewmember and provides our graduates with an outstanding opportunity to achieve their career objectives. This agreement allows Embry-Riddle graduates the opportunity to apply their knowledge of jet transport aircraft and airline operations immediately after graduation from our aeronautical science degree program," said Embry-Riddle President George H. Ebbs.

Embry-Riddle and Northwest Airlines will jointly screen candidates for selection for one of two possible tracks: Certified Flight Instructor (CFI) to Line Pilot or Aircrew Training Instructor (ATI) to Line Pilot. To qualify for screening, candidates must complete the sophomore year of the aeronautical science degree program, academically rank in the top 20% of their class, and be recommended by an Embry-Riddle professor.

Once accepted, students will be required to attend Northwest Airlines-specific seminars held at Embry-Riddle, achieve multi-engine and CFI ratings, and complete a one-semester internship at Northwest Airlines that includes ground school and simulator time in Northwest Airlines-designated aircraft.

The students selected will be further screened for pilot or flight crew instructor employment pending successful completion of the program. The CFI Track requires the graduate to complete 18 months as an Embry-Riddle flight instructor, while the ATI Track requires 30 months as a flight crew instructor. Embry-Riddle and Northwest will agree on specific course and program development, and Embry-Riddle instructors will maintain a current knowledge of and instruct students on Northwest Airlines procedures and standards.

Northwest Airlines will recommend curriculum changes to Embry-Riddle, incorporating company-specific procedural requirements. In addition, Northwest Airlines has been invited to join Embry-Riddle's Aeronautical Science Industry Advisory Board.

Northwest Airlines VP of Flight Operations Capt. Jeff Carlson stated, "Northwest is committed to providing our customers with the safest and most professionally trained pilots in the world. That's why we selected Embry-Riddle to be our education partner. Our relationship with Embry-Riddle ensures that our new-hire pilots have received the most comprehensive training available."

Northwest Airlines is the world's fourth-largest airline with hubs at Detroit, Minneapolis/St. Paul, Memphis, Tokyo, and Amsterdam, and more than 1,400 daily departures. With its travel partners, Northwest serves more than 785 cities in 120 countries on six continents. Based on statistics compiled by the U.S. Department of Transportation, Northwest was the most on-time U.S. airline among the seven largest network carriers for the period 1990-2000. For more information on Northwest Airlines, visit www.nwa.com.

Embry-Riddle, the world's largest, fully accredited university specializing in aviation and aerospace, meets the needs of students and industry through its educational, training, research, and consulting activities. Embry-Riddle educates 24,000 students annually through the master's level at residential campuses in Daytona Beach, Fla., and Prescott, Ariz., at more than 100 teaching sites in the United States and Europe, and through distance learning. For more information on Embry-Riddle, visit www.embryriddle.edu.