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 Restricted Airline Transport Pilot (R-ATP) minimums from 1,500 to 750 flight hours for its proposed training program.
The airline argues this change would make pilot careers more accessible, particularly for underrepresented groups, by significantly reducing training costs from an estimated $200,000 to $75,000.
Republic's proposed R-ATP program would be a rigorous, closed-loop system operated through its LIFT Academy, resembling military training but with a civilian approach, and pilots would serve Republic exclusively until meeting full ATP requirements.
This initiative aims to address the significant pilot shortages faced by the airline industry, prompting similar actions from other major carriers.

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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.