By Rob Finfrock

In the time since receiving the inaugural CJP Bob Hoover Presidential Scholarship in 2013, Embry-Riddle aeronautical sciences student Yann Bosch has continued to advance towards a promising aviation career through his studies, as well as internships in flight departments for such respected companies as United Technologies, Procter & Gamble, and United Airlines.

Soon, his next steps will be towards flying revenue-paying passengers, after Yann filled out an online application with Boston, MA-based Cape Air last year. “At the time, I didn’t have the minimum requirements listed on their web site,” he explained, “but it proved to be a good decision because I was called in for an interview.”

In addition to operating Cessna 402 piston twins and ATR 42 turboprops under Part 121, Cape Air also flies the Cessnas under Part 135 on-demand charter operations. The Cape Air/JetBlue University Gateway Program offers a structured development program for low-time pilots, allowing them to build time as first officers on Part 135 flights out of the airline’s bases in Boston; Billings, MT and St. Louis, MO; or Puerto Rico. (“If I’m really lucky I’ll go to Puerto Rico!”)

Yann had learned of this option through discussions with the airline’s operations director, who had visited Embry-Riddle a few months before. The program will ultimately allow Yann to fulfill the minimum time requirements towards his airline transport pilot (ATP) certification, positioning him for hire by a regional airline, and perhaps even a mainline carrier like JetBlue.

“This is a very attractive opportunity for me, because it puts me in the right seat as a first officer,” Yann said. “It gets me into the airline environment sooner, instead of serving as a flight instructor anywhere else.”

He will begin his training with Cape Air on August 18. Meanwhile, Yann is also making the most of his internship with United Airlines.

“I started January 13 working out of the pilot training center in Denver,” he explained. “All United pilots come through here once per year for training, as do the new hires. I’m helping in the Flight Standards department to compile FOMs [flight operations manuals] and making sure pilots are following standard operating procedures.

“And, whenever a seat has been open, I’ve had the chance to fly the [Airbus] A320 sim, and the [Boeing] 767 sim and 737 sim,” Yann continued, his grin apparent through the telephone line. “I’m also looking forward to doing some jump seats to Hong Kong onboard the 747. Even though it’s a type I may never get to fly, it’s still a pretty cool thing to do!”