JetBlue Airways is taking applications for 24 slots in a new pilot-training program. No aviation background is required.

The airline says training will cost about $125,000 and take four years, but graduates could wind up flying 100-seat passenger jets.

JetBlue announced details about the program — the first of its kind at a large U.S. airline — and opened the application process on Monday.

Warren Christie, JetBlue’s senior vice president of safety and training, say the program won’t replace the airline’s traditional pipelines for pilots, many of whom come from smaller airlines. JetBlue hired more than 300 pilots last year, and a group of 30 new hires just started training last week, he says.

(AP)