MTSU, Southwest Airlines partner in Destination 225° pilot recruiting program

Middle Tennessee State University’s highly touted Department of Aerospace joined the Southwest Airlines “Destination 225°” program on Wednesday, April 26, as one of the newest partners in the airline’s unique “First Officer” development and recruitment program.

Destination 225° builds pathways for aspiring pilots from university aviation programs across the country to first officer roles at Southwest Airlines.

MTSU aerospace students and certified flight instructors perform final checks and unloading after flying in two Diamond Aircraft to the MTSU Flight Operations Center at Murfreesboro Airport. MTSU professional pilot majors can be a part of a new partnership between the university and Southwest Airlines, announced April 26.(MTSU file photo by J. Intintoli) — MTSU aerospace students and certified flight instructors perform final checks and unloading after flying in two Diamond Aircraft to the MTSU Flight Operations Center at Murfreesboro Airport. MTSU professional pilot majors can be a part of a new partnership between the university and Southwest Airlines, announced April 26. (MTSU file photo by J. Intintoli)

On a compass rose, 225° is the southwest heading. The Destination 225° program provides several pathways designed to meet future aviators where they are at their current experience level and create opportunities to take them to the right seat in a Southwest aircraft.

With 900 professional flight majors, MTSU aerospace students will have access to a pathway that leads to becoming competitively qualified for a commercial pilot career at Southwest. The Destination 225° program includes pilot pathways for those just starting to fly, those working on university degrees and those already building time toward their airline transport pilot certifications.

Lee Kinnebrew, vice president of flight operations at Southwest Airlines — Lee Kinnebrew

“We are proud to welcome Middle Tennessee State University as they join Southwest’s pilot pathways program, Destination 225˚, through our university pathway,” said Lee Kinnebrew, vice president of flight operations at Southwest Airlines.

“MTSU students will have the opportunity to pursue a career as a Southwest first officer with guidance, training, and mentorship as they complete their college education.”

In the aviation industry, a first officer is a commercial airline pilot who works in the cockpit with the captain to assist them with flight navigation and operation. Also known as a co-pilot, they sit in the right hand seat and are the second in command.

Dr. Sidney A. McPhee, MTSU president — Dr. Sidney A. McPhee

MTSU President Sidney A. McPhee said the university’s “aerospace department provides one of the highest quality pilot training programs in the nation, if not the world, and partnering with a major airline like Southwest is another testament to its excellent reputation.

“Adding a career pathway like Southwest’s Destination 225° program provides a tremendous opportunity for our qualifying aerospace students to become professional pilots for a major carrier. With Southwest’s robust presence already at Nashville’s airport, this partnership seems a natural fit for both parties.”

Dr. Chaminda Prelis, chair, Department of Aerospace — Dr. Chaminda Prelis

MTSU Aerospace Chair Chaminda Prelis said the partnership “is an excellent opportunity and the latest in many unique endeavors supporting our students’ career goals. Programs like Destination 225° are a fantastic way for our students to embark on fulfilling their career aspirations after graduation. We look forward to a long and prosperous partnership with Southwest Airlines.”

MTSU joins a list of current Destination 225° university partners that includes Angelo State University, Arizona State University, University of Auburn, Kent State University, Southeastern Oklahoma State University, Texas Southern University, the University of Nebraska-Omaha and the University of Oklahoma.

For more information on Destination 225° and university, training and other program partners, visit https://careers.southwestair.com/D225.

Middle Tennessee State University professional pilot majors fly Diamond Aircraft DA40 planes as part of their flight training. MTSU is a new partner with Southwest Airlines and its Destination 225°, the airline’s First Officer development and recruitment program to find qualified and skilled pilots in light of a potential pilot shortage across the industry. (MTSU file photo by J. Intintoli) — Middle Tennessee State University professional pilot majors fly Diamond Aircraft DA40 planes as part of their flight training. MTSU is a new partner with Southwest Airlines and its Destination 225°, the airline’s First Officer development and recruitment program to find qualified and skilled pilots for the future. (MTSU file photo by J. Intintoli)

Phenomenal growth in MTSU Aerospace

Because of tremendous growth in the professional pilot concentration, MTSU is seeking final approval to move its Flight Operations Center from Murfreesboro Airport to a new home at 600-acre Bomar Field/Shelbyville Airport in Shelbyville, Tennessee, in the next five years.

Learn more about the potential move at https://www.mtsu.edu/aerospace/shelbyville.php.

In fall 2017, there were 881 students majoring in aerospace’s various concentrations, including pro pilot. Five years later, there are more than 1,225 students.

Undergraduate concentrations include aviation management, flight dispatch, maintenance management, technology and unmanned aircraft systems operations.

MMaster’s-level concentrations include aeronautical science-aviation education, aeronautical science-aviation management concentration and aeronautical science-aviation safety and security management.

For more information about MTSU’s Aerospace Department, visit https://www.mtsu.edu/aerospace/index.php.

— Randy Weiler (Randy.Weiler@mtsu.edu)