Republic R-ATP Petition Draws Backlash From Airline, Flight School Groups

Monday, June 06, 2022 at 06:14 PM ET

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Republic states that its R-ATP program will make airline career opportunities more accessible for qualified individuals from underrepresented groups. Others say the drop in requirements is too dangerous. [Courtesy: Republic Airways]

Key Takeaways:

Republic Airways has petitioned the FAA to reduce the Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) certificate flight hour minimums for its First Officers from 1,500 to 750, arguing its internal training program is comparable to military aviator training.
This proposal faces strong opposition from the aviation community, including pilot and flight school associations, who contend it would compromise safety, degrade the quality of flight instruction by reducing CFI experience, and disregard the safety lessons that led to the current 1,500-hour rule following the Colgan Air Flight 3407 crash.

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A petition by Republic Airways to the FAA asking for an exemption to the 1,500 total time rule for the airline transport pilot (ATP) certificate is generating a strong negative response from the flight school and airline community.

The request for exemption was sent to the FAA last month. The airline alleges that its Leadership in Flight Training program is comparable to the training required of military aviators, therefore the airline is asking that its applicants be granted the restricted ATP certification of 750 hours, the same as military trained aviators.