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 lower the required flight hours for its first officers' restricted ATP certificates from 1,500 to 750, claiming its training program is comparable to military aviator standards.
This proposal has generated strong negative feedback from the aviation community, including pilot unions and flight school associations, who dispute Republic's assertions and warn of decreased safety and pilot quality.
Opponents highlight that the 1,500-hour rule was a post-Colgan Air crash safety measure and argue that lowering minimums would undermine safety, negatively impact flight schools by increasing CFI turnover, and fail to address underlying issues like regional pilot pay.

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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.