Republic Airways has asked the Federal Aviation Administration to let them skip some requirements for pilot experience to ease their pilot shortage. The move comes as airlines around the globe face a critical pilot shortage that has forced them to cancel flights and offer lucrative bonuses to attract new pilots.
The 1,500-hour rule, which went into effect in 2013, requires pilots to have at least 1,500 hours of flight experience before they can be hired by an airline. Republic Airways, which operates under the brands of American Eagle, United Express, and Delta Connection, is the first US airline to seek an exemption from the rule.
The Indianapolis, Indiana-based airline wrote in an April 15 request to the Department of Transportation (DOT) that its rigorous screening process and its structured pilot training program make it; the equivalent of military pilot training.
As a result, its pilots would be highly qualified to obtain what is known as a “Restricted Air Transport Pilot” (R-ATP) certificate, which typically includes civilian pilots to begin flying for commercial operators. About half the flight time is required.
“The requested exemption would allow selected civilian pilots who complete the rigorous Republic R-ATP program to apply … for an airline transport pilot certificate concurrently with a multi-engine airplane type rating with a minimum of 750 hours of total flight time as a pilot,” writes Republic.
Military pilots aiming to pursue a career in commercial aviation need only 750 hours of total flight time to qualify for airline employment. Most other applicants require 1,500 hours.
Critics say that collecting these hours is costly and time-consuming, hindering the availability of new pilots, which cannot be easily resolved. The airlines themselves have been loath to relax the requirements, fearing lawsuits if something goes wrong.
Republic said in its application that once students are accepted into its program, they go through a “highly structured training curriculum where they train as a full-time employee.”
“Within the program, students will complete courses in advanced airline academics, complete command experience, receive a Republic mentor and complete supplemental advanced aviation training to help them better prepare for a career as an airline pilot,” the filing says. “To uphold the rigor of the training, students will be assessed and are required to pass multiple knowledge and skill validation gates throughout the program life cycle. Failure to pass any gate will result in the student to be transitioned out of the Republic R-ATP Program and continue through the standard ATP pathway.”
The program, which will be implemented at Republic’s flight school, the Leadership in Flight Training (LIFT) Academy, is “designed to meet or exceed military R-ATP protection. Additionally, the program is aimed at underserved communities and diverse The background will help aspiring airmen to pursue a career in aviation,” writes Republic.
Republic Airways, which operates a fleet of 200 Embraer 170 and E175 and provides scheduled passenger service with about 1,000 daily flights to 100 cities in 40 US states, has yet to respond to a request for information regarding the proposal.
1,500-Hour Rule
The 1,500-hour rule was introduced more than a decade ago after pilots had a fatal plane crash. The rule said that pilots needed 1,500 hours of experience to fly a passenger jet. No other country has the same aviation experience rule.
This rule has been controversial lately because the United States is facing a historic pilot shortage. No other country has the same aviation experience rule. The crisis of Coronavirus, which has been going on for two years, has increased it further.
At the start of the pandemic, it was unclear how long the crisis and associated travel restrictions would last, and what the ultimate damage would be to the industry. So the airlines quickly reduced their fleet and reduced bidding to save money. They’re now facing the consequences of their actions.
Several airline executives have complained about the shortage of pilots and the damage their operations have suffered. Jonathan Ornstein, chief executive of Mesa Airlines, is one of the most vocal critics of the 1,500-hour rule. On 9 May, he called it an “ill-conceived, ill-advised and politically motivated” rule “that by most independent accounts [has] nothing to do with the enhancement of safety”.
The airline’s inability to staff flights forced it to cancel numerous routes from its schedule and ground 100 planes, according to CEO Scott Kirby.
Another carrier, SkyWest Airlines, the largest regional operator in the United States with more than 500 aircraft for the four major carriers, said earlier this year that it planned to fly fewer block hours in 2022 due to a “pilot imbalance” is planned, and this trend is likely to continue till 2023.
SkyWest recently informed DOT that it wants to eliminate 29 Essential Air Service (EAS) routes due to a lack of qualified pilots. SkyWest’s executives said they expected to leave the position, but not as soon.
Pilot shortages are particularly affecting regional carriers such as SkyWest, Republic, and Mesa. These airlines usually pay lower salaries than the major carriers and operate smaller aircraft on shorter routes. Many commercial pilots start their career with a regional carrier and then transfer to a legacy airline.
Meanwhile, the FAA and airline pilots’ unions have protested changing the aviation experience rules. They argue that the 1,500-hour experience requirement serves a useful purpose, even though there are no regulations on the type of aircraft in which those hours must be flown.
Most commercial airline pilot candidates log their 1,500 hours in a single-engine piston aircraft, for example, rather than a more complex jet or simulator, which is more comparable to the aircraft they are likely to drive for the rest of their career.