Program helps move the most promising pilots from the classroom to the cockpit

DAYTON, Ohio, Jan. 21, 2016 - PSA Airlines is among the first regional carriers to launch an industry-leading Cadet Program to help the most promising future pilots make a smooth transition from the classroom at top colleges, universities and flight schools to the cockpit. The program offers various levels of support as the Cadet's certifications, training and experience evolves, including up to $16,000 in tuition reimbursement. Mentorships and internships with airline industry experts can begin as early as a Cadet's freshman year. Pledging mentorship helps ensure the Cadets are successful along the way, including when they go through the PSA training program.

'As the fastest growing regional airline in the country, it is more important than ever for PSA Airlines to attract the most promising future pilots from the most prestigious aviation institutions in the country,' said Dion Flannery, president of PSA Airlines. 'This industry-leading program is not only a win for our airline, but for future participants as they now have a clear and unparalleled career path from student, to instructor, to PSA pilot and on to American Airlines.'

Through this program, the engagement with students early on allows PSA to mentor and guide the next generation of its pilots. The Cadet Program initiative is just one other way PSA Airlines offers the most comprehensive benefits to its pilots. PSA Airlines is the fastest-growing regional airline in the country, and with fast upgrade time and a true pilot flow through agreement to American, a career as a mainline pilot for the largest airline in the world can start with this program.

As a Cadet achieves more certifications, they become eligible for tuition reimbursement, placement at partner schools to serve as instructors so they can build their flight time, and at select partner schools, other benefits including employee travel privileges. Cadets will be placed into the FAA-required Airline Transport Pilot Certification Training Program (ATP-CTP) course, at no cost to them, after reaching the necessary number of flight hours. Upon successful completion of the course, they can quickly start their First Officer New Hire Class at PSA.

PSA has partnered with 13 colleges, universities and flight schools on this initiative including:
Cochise College; Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona; Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Prescott; Kent State University; Le Tourneau University; Marywood University; Ohio University; The Ohio State University; Purdue University; Triad Aviation Academy; University of Cincinnati Clermont College; University of Dubuque and Westminster College.

PSA has flight crew bases located in Charlotte, North Carolina; Cincinnati, Ohio; Dayton, Ohio; and Knoxville, Tennessee. Since 2013, PSA has doubled its size and will grow to operate 150 Bombardier CRJ aircraft by the end of 2017. PSA is known for its outstanding safety and training culture. Working for PSA affords pilots a family atmosphere and the best quality of life with the most flexible pilot scheduling in the industry.

For more information on PSA's cadet program and application requirements please visit http://www.psaairlines.com/careers/cadet-program/.

About PSA Airlines
PSA Airlines operates an all-jet fleet consisting of exclusively Bombardier regional jet aircraft. The company's more than 2,400 employees operate nearly 600 daily flights to nearly 90 destinations. Headquartered in Dayton, Ohio, PSA also has flight crew bases located in Dayton, Cincinnati, Ohio, Knoxville, Tennessee, and Charlotte, North Carolina. PSA has maintenance facilities in Dayton and Canton, Ohio and Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky Airport and Charlotte, North Carolina. As of year-end 2015, PSA operates 35 Bombardier CRJ 200 aircraft, 26 Bombardier CRJ 700 aircraft and 36 Bombardier CRJ 900 NextGen aircraft. The airline expects to add an additional 35 Bombardier CRJ 700 aircraft and 18 Bombardier CRJ 900 aircraft to its fleet in the next two years, Tripling its fleet size and employee base since the airline's growth plan was announced in December 2013.

About American Airlines Group
American Airlines and American Eagle offer an average of nearly 6,700 flights per day to nearly 350 destinations in more than 50 countries. American has hubs in Charlotte, Chicago, Dallas/Fort Worth, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, Philadelphia, Phoenix, and Washington, D.C. American is a founding member of the oneworld alliance, whose members and members-elect serve nearly 1,000 destinations with 14,250 daily flights to 150 countries. Shares of American Airlines Group Inc. trade on Nasdaq under the ticker symbol AAL. In 2015, its stock joined the S&P 500 index. Connect with American on Twitter @AmericanAir and at Facebook.com/AmericanAirlines.

American Airlines Group Inc. issued this content on 2016-01-21 and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed by Public, unedited and unaltered, on 2016-01-21 16:04:12 UTC

Original Document: http://hub.aa.com/en/nr/psa-airlines-launches-industry-leading-cadet-program