Republic Airways Petitions FAA to Lower Pilot Minimums For Company's First Officers

If successful, the airline would be allowed to hire pilots with just 750 hours, half of the current requirement.

Michael Wildes

Tuesday, May 10, 2022 at 05:04 PM ET

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Republic Airlines argues that its proposal would make pilot careers more accessible. [Courtesy: Republic Airlines]

Key Takeaways:

Republic Airways has petitioned the FAA to reduce the required pilot minimums for its Restricted Airline Transport Pilot (R-ATP) program from 1,500 to 750 flight hours, aligning with military pilot qualifications.
The proposed R-ATP program would operate as a "closed-loop system" through Republic's LIFT Academy, offering rigorous, in-house training for aspiring pilots.
This initiative aims to significantly lower pilot training costs from approximately $200,000 to $75,000, making aviation careers more accessible, particularly for underrepresented groups, and addressing pilot shortages.
Pilots completing Republic's R-ATP program would initially be authorized to fly solely for Republic Airways until they fulfill the full, unrestricted ATP requirements.

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Regional carrier Republic Airways has petitioned the FAA to lower the required pilot minimums for its R-ATP program from 1,500 hours to 750.

Republic is headquartered in Indianapolis and flies on behalf of Delta Air Lines (NYSE: DAL), American Airlines (NASDAQ: AAL), and United Airlines (NASDAQ: UAL). The company applied on April 15 to the Department of Transportation (DOT) to lobby for its version of the restricted ATP.