University of Illinois starts new charter service
found this in the paper the other day....they must be out of their mind thinking they'll make money with this?!?
__________________________________________________________________
University of Illinois to Inaugurate New Airline Charter Service
PRESS RELEASE, Gazette News
--By Jay Rockler
Champaign, IL— The University of Illinois Institute of Aviation recently announced that it will be starting an airline charter business called “Flying Illini.”
This new charter service will utilize two ex-United Airline’s Boeing 737-500 aircraft, reconfigured with 85 business class seats. The popular passenger jets will don an eye-catching orange and blue paint scheme with the University’s “U of I” logo on the tail.
Initial charter flights will serve as transports for U of I Athletic teams, but the University hopes to expand operations into the charter markets of nearby Chicago and St. Louis. The U of I Institute of Aviation is currently seeking FAA authorization to conduct charter flights the Caribbean and Mexico on behalf of Golden Vacations.
The Institute is not a first time operator in the air charter arena. In the late 1960s, the University flew DC-3’s under the name “Staff Air Transport” to shuttle University employees within the Mid-West.
An Institute Spokesperson is excited and enthusiastic about her department’s new venture. “Traditionally, the U of I Institute of Aviation has been dedicated to teaching students how to fly,” she comments, “but we’re going to spread our wings and take on this new challenge, providing a new component to our program while also generating additional revenue for the University.”
The institute is planning on staffing the charter
department with its own employees. Flight Attendants will be recruited locally and mechanics will come from the University’s flight school. Pilots will be hired externally but preference will be given to pilots who are Illinois graduates. The Institute is seeking FAA approval to utilize their very own Boeing 737 simulator for training.
Proving runs for the “Flying Illini” are scheduled to commence fall semester from Champaign-Willard Airport. The “Flying Illini” will be fully operational in time for the University’s football season.
found this in the paper the other day....they must be out of their mind thinking they'll make money with this?!?
__________________________________________________________________
University of Illinois to Inaugurate New Airline Charter Service
PRESS RELEASE, Gazette News
--By Jay Rockler
Champaign, IL— The University of Illinois Institute of Aviation recently announced that it will be starting an airline charter business called “Flying Illini.”
This new charter service will utilize two ex-United Airline’s Boeing 737-500 aircraft, reconfigured with 85 business class seats. The popular passenger jets will don an eye-catching orange and blue paint scheme with the University’s “U of I” logo on the tail.
Initial charter flights will serve as transports for U of I Athletic teams, but the University hopes to expand operations into the charter markets of nearby Chicago and St. Louis. The U of I Institute of Aviation is currently seeking FAA authorization to conduct charter flights the Caribbean and Mexico on behalf of Golden Vacations.
The Institute is not a first time operator in the air charter arena. In the late 1960s, the University flew DC-3’s under the name “Staff Air Transport” to shuttle University employees within the Mid-West.
An Institute Spokesperson is excited and enthusiastic about her department’s new venture. “Traditionally, the U of I Institute of Aviation has been dedicated to teaching students how to fly,” she comments, “but we’re going to spread our wings and take on this new challenge, providing a new component to our program while also generating additional revenue for the University.”
The institute is planning on staffing the charter
department with its own employees. Flight Attendants will be recruited locally and mechanics will come from the University’s flight school. Pilots will be hired externally but preference will be given to pilots who are Illinois graduates. The Institute is seeking FAA approval to utilize their very own Boeing 737 simulator for training.
Proving runs for the “Flying Illini” are scheduled to commence fall semester from Champaign-Willard Airport. The “Flying Illini” will be fully operational in time for the University’s football season.
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