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

Verified

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

Key Takeaways:

Republic Airways has petitioned the FAA to lower the required pilot minimums for its R-ATP program from 1,500 hours to 750, similar to the existing military pathway.
The proposed "closed-loop" R-ATP program would be run through Republic's LIFT Academy, aiming to reduce pilot training costs significantly (from $200,000 to $75,000).
This initiative seeks to make airline pilot careers more accessible, particularly for underrepresented groups, and address industry-wide pilot shortages, though R-ATP privileges would initially be restricted to Republic.

See a mistake? Contact us.

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.