First Officer, College Bridge Program — Sun Country Airlines (MSU Mankato)

Pilot Assessments; Minnesota; Hybrid; USD 70,000 - 80,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Company hotel stay

401(k) match

Life insurance

Day 1 benefits

Job summary

Sun Country Airlines offers a College Bridge Program guiding MSU Mankato aviation students from junior/senior status through a five‑step path to a Boeing 737NG First Officer. You will train with North Star Aviation, accumulate 300 hours of dual flight time, and complete Sun Country’s exclusive training program.

The program progresses with an in‑house onboarding and flight responsibilities across domestic and international routes, including scheduled, charter, cargo and seasonal leisure flights.

Qualifications

• Enrollment as a Junior or Senior in MSU Mankato flight-training major qualifying for R-ATP (FAR 61.160).
• CPL with Instrument and Multi-Engine ratings; attend in-person recruiting event and complete required interview.
• CFI and CFII required (MEI optional) and 300 hours of dual flight time prior to requesting a First Officer interview.
• Must be legally authorized to work in the U.S.; fluent in reading, writing, speaking and understanding English; FAA First Class Medical; FCC Radio License; valid U.S. passport or passport with U.S. Green Card; ability to travel to Sun Country destinations.
• R-ATP eligibility (aviation college background) and at least 21 years of age; recent flight experience preferred.

Responsibilities

• Progress through the College Bridge Program from student to Boeing 737NG First Officer.
• Instruct with North Star Aviation to build time (300 hours dual).
• Complete Sun Country’s in‑house Certified Training Program.
• Operate scheduled, charter, cargo and seasonal flights domestically and internationally.

Skills

CPL

Instrument rating

Multi-Engine rating

CFI/CFII

R-ATP eligibility

FAA First Class Medical

English proficiency

Job description

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About the role

Sun Country Airlines is recruiting MSU Mankato aviation students for our College Bridge Program First Officer track. This structured, five-step pathway carries you from Commercial-certificate holder to line First Officer on the Boeing 737NG—flying scheduled, charter (military, sports, event-based), cargo and seasonal leisure service across the U.S. (including Hawaii and Alaska), the Caribbean, Mexico and Europe.

Your path at a glance

• Enroll as a Junior/Senior in the designated MSU Mankato flight‑training major qualifying for an R-ATP under FAR 61.160.
• Apply via airlineapps.com once you hold a Commercial certificate (Instrument & Multi-Engine) and complete an in‑person recruiting event plus a one‑on‑one interview for program entry.
• Secure a Flight Instructor role with North Star Aviation (CFI and CFII required; MEI optional).
• Build experience by completing 300 hours of dual instruction given in aircraft.
• Interview with Sun Country for a Contingent Job Offer (CJO) conditional on graduating with the qualifying major and R-ATP eligibility, then complete our in‑house Certified Training Program and start the line as a First Officer.

What you’ll do

• Progress through the College Bridge Program from student to Boeing 737NG First Officer.
• Instruct with North Star Aviation to build required time (300 hours dual given).
• Complete Sun Country’s in‑house Certified Training Program taught by company instructors.
• Operate scheduled, charter, cargo and seasonal leisure flights throughout our domestic and international network.

Minimum qualifications

• Enrollment as a Junior or Senior in the designated MSU Mankato flight‑training major qualifying for R-ATP (FAR 61.160).
• To apply: Commercial Pilot License (CPL) with Instrument and Multi-Engine ratings; attendance at one in‑person recruiting event; completion of the required one‑on‑one interview.
• Flight Instructor position with North Star Aviation: CFI and CFII required (MEI optional) and 300 hours of dual given in aircraft prior to requesting a First Officer interview.
• To start class (hiring minimums): legal authorization to work in the U.S.; fluent in reading, writing, speaking and understanding English; current FAA First Class Medical; FCC Radio License; valid U.S. passport or valid passport with U.S. Green Card, with ability to travel to all Sun Country destinations; valid U.S. driver’s license; R-ATP eligibility (aviation college background) and at least 21 years of age. Recent flight experience preferred.

Flight time minimums

• Total time: 1,000 hours (up to 100 hours simulator)
• PIC (airplane): 250 hours
• Cross-country: 200 hours total, including 100 hours PIC (airplane)
• Night: 100 hours total, including 25 hours PIC (airplane)
• Instrument: 75 hours
• Multi-engine: 25 hours

Hiring is conditioned on receiving a CJO after a successful interview and graduating with the qualifying major (including flight training) to meet R-ATP under FAR 61.160.

Pay & benefits

• Company-provided iPad for flight manuals and navigational data.
• In‑house Certified Training Program with contractual pay, benefits and single-occupancy hotel accommodations.
• Generous health insurance, including vision and dental.
• 100% company-paid life insurance.
• 401(k) with company match.
• Starting pay: $83.28/hour with a 75-hour monthly guarantee (Year 1).
• Premium pay at 150% once off Reserve; 100% cancellation and deadhead pay.
• Accelerated upgrade to Captain expected in 18–24 months due to rapid growth.
• All benefits begin on Day 1 of class as a Sun Country First Officer.

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