VIRGIN AMERICA PLANS TO HIRE MORE THAN 100 PILOTS

Bay City News Service

February 13, 2006

The new start-up domestic airline Virgin America, which will be based out of the San Francisco International Airport, is looking to hire more than 100 pilots this year, the airline announced.

Applicants must meet specific qualifications, including Federal Aviation Administration Airline Transport Pilot certification, at least 5,000 hours in an airplane, 2,000 hours as a pilot-in-command and 1,000 hours as a pilot-in-command of a turbine aircraft, the airline reported.

"The FAA's system safety certification process is extremely comprehensive," Joe Houghton, Virgin America's chief pilot, said in a statement. "We're looking for the most qualified pilots available, people who are ready to roll up their sleeves and jump right in to help make Virgin America a great place to work for our team members and a great airline to fly for our customers."

Interested applicants can apply on Virgin America's Web site at,
http://www.virginamerica.com.

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