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 lower the flight hour requirement for its Restricted Airline Transport Pilot (R-ATP) program from 1,500 to 750 hours.
The airline proposes a proprietary, closed-loop R-ATP program through its LIFT Academy, designed to make pilot careers more accessible and affordable for qualified individuals, particularly underrepresented groups, while maintaining rigorous safety standards.
This initiative aims to address the ongoing pilot shortages in the airline industry, offering a pathway similar to military training but with a revised civilian approach.

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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.