Airlines reporting to AIR, Inc. hired more than 700 pilots in February. Once again, the National airlines let the hiring trend by adding 263 pilots, followed by the Majors with 156, the Non-Jet Operators with 103, the Jet Operators with 59, and the growing Fractional division hired 78 pilots.

Foreign operators are now attracting a large number of American pilots. Cathay Pacific is hiring 168 pilots in 2006, China Airlines needs almost 70 flight deck members this year, and Emirates Group is searching for an additional 350 total crewmembers to fill openings, just to name a few. Foreign operators actively recruit U.S. pilots and offer attractive compensation packages and housing allowances to get their attention. AIR, Inc. currently reports on 12 carriers in their newsletter, the Airline Pilot Job Monthly and the list continues to grow as overseas carriers learn of the advantages of hiring U.S. trained pilots.

United Airlines (UAL) is still on target to recall 300 furloughed pilots in 2006. UL recalled 101 pilots in January and February and will be recalling 60 in March, 27 in April, 30 in May and 30 in June. Most pilots will be trained and ready to return to the mainline by mid-August.

The need to hire pilots within the Crew Leasing division continues to grow. World Airline Services, IASCO, World Aviation Systems, and Hawaii Aviation are all looking to hire pilots to fill positions for foreign contracts. Once again, the allure appears a solid base pay, contract completion bonuses in excess of $10,000, and commuting allowance that cover the cost of round-trip tickets to and from the bases. Parc Aviation and IASCO attend AIR, Inc. Job Fairs in the hopes of attracting qualified candidates to their companies.

Virgin America officially started their pilot recruiting process in February by hiring 6 A320 pilots to help with their certification process. They plan to add an additional 100 before launch, which is slated right now for mid-2006. Pilots minimum qualifications includes 5,000 TT (excluding helicopter, simulator, and flight engineer time), 2,000 PIC, 1,000 PIC turbine, 500 EFIS, ATP certificate, Class I medical, RTOP, valid US driver's license, and a current passport. An Airbus type rating and check airmen/instructor time is preferred; recency of experience will be considered when reviewing applications.

AIR, Inc.’s second Job Fair of the year, to be held in Los Angeles on March 18, already has a list of formidable airlines signed up to attend which include: Majors: Alaska Airlines, JetBlue and Southwest. Nationals: AirNet, American Eagle, Mesa, Pinnacle, and SkyWest. Jet/Non-Jet Operators: Ameriflight, Cape Air, Focus Air, and Island Air. Fractionals: Avantair, FlexJet, and NetJets. Crew Leasing: IASCO, Parc Aviation, Rishworth. Foreign: Cathay Pacific and Emirates. Others: Jet University /Custom Air Travel. For details on our upcoming Job Fair and Seminar in Los Angeles, CA on March 18, 2006, visit our Web site at www.jet-jobs.com, or call 800 JET-JOBS (538-5627.

Sincerely,
Kit Darby, President & Publisher