SELF-FUNDEDUnited StatesAPPLICATIONS OPEN

Republic Airways Cadet Pilot Program 2026

Republic-owned flight academy offering zero-to-hero training with guaranteed FO position at Republic upon completion.

Cadet selection opens with an aptitude battery, and it removes more applicants than any interview.

Sit a timed practice paper free — no account. Scored on pace as well as accuracy, because pace is what the real battery culls on.

Take the free test

Where are you with Republic Airways?

Selection runs on its own timetable, and what helps depends entirely on where you are in it. Tell us, and what we send you matches that — nothing else.

Programme	LIFT Academy
Cost	$89,500 (financing available)
Duration	18 months academy + immediate hire
Sponsored	No — self-funded (financing usually available)
Country / Region	United States · North America
Hiring status	Active
Fleet after graduation	ERJ-170, ERJ-175

Program Overview

Program Name

LIFT Academy

Description

Republic-owned flight academy offering zero-to-hero training with guaranteed FO position at Republic upon completion.

Fleet You Will Fly

ERJ-170ERJ-175

Bases After Graduation

INDEWRDCAORDLGA

Entry Requirements

Flight Time

FAA ATP or R-ATP minimums under 14 CFR 61.160 — 1,500 hours standard, 1,250 with a qualifying associate degree, 1,000 with a qualifying bachelor's degree, 750 for military pilots

Company minimums

Republic sets its own interview and hiring minimums (age and hours) per campaign, on top of the FAA floor

Medical

FAA First Class medical

Pathways

Republic runs its own pilot pathway programmes and a flight-time initiative — check which applies before assuming the standard floor

How to Apply: Republic Airways Cadet Process

The Republic Airways selection pipeline mirrors the direct-entry pilot process but is more selective at the aptitude and behavioural stages. Here is the full step-by-step from application to first day of training.

1
Online Application
1 week
Apply through Republic pilot careers portal.
2
Interview Day
1 day
Panel interview and sim evaluation at Indianapolis HQ.
3
Training
6-8 weeks
ERJ-170/175 type rating.

Assessment Stages: What They Test

1. Online Application & Screening

Initial review of qualifications, flight hours, certificates, and background.

How to prepare

·Ensure logbook is accurate and up to date
·Have all certificates scanned and ready
·Tailor your CV to airline operations

2. Aptitude & Psychometric Testing

Computer-based tests measuring cognitive ability, multi-tasking, spatial awareness, and personality traits.

How to prepare

·Practice with COMPASS or PILAPT test preparation
·Work on mental math speed
·Get adequate sleep before test day

3. Simulator Assessment

Fixed-base or full-motion simulator session evaluating hand-flying, instrument skills, and multi-crew coordination.

How to prepare

·Practice raw-data instrument approaches
·Brief out loud as you would with a real crew
·Manage workload verbally

Career Progression Timeline

Year 0

Start cadet training

Begin ground school and initial flight training.

Year 1.5

Complete training

Earn commercial license/type rating and join as First Officer.

Year 5-7

Senior First Officer

Build experience, potentially start command training.

Year 8-12

Captain upgrade

Command seat with significant salary increase.

Year 15+

Senior Captain / Management

Training captain, fleet manager, or management pilot roles.

Is It Worth It? ROI Analysis

Training Investment

$89,500 (financing available)

Est. Year 1 Salary

$70,000

Payback Period

~2 years

A career airline pilot typically earns $3M - $10M+ over a 30-year career, depending on the airline and rank achieved. Even with a significant upfront investment, the lifetime ROI is substantial.

Bottom line: The investment is significant but the guaranteed pathway to a major airline makes this one of the best career investments available.

Application Tips

LIFT Academy is Republic-owned ab-initio school

Strong United flow-through agreement

Captain upgrade in 2-3 years

Meeting the entry requirements gets you into the process. What removes most candidates is the process itself.

Before a human reads your application there is an aptitude battery, and candidates consistently report it as the heaviest cull — pace, not difficulty. You can practise it here for free: timed papers generated fresh each run, plus a divided-attention drill that measures how much your performance degrades under load.

Practise the aptitude stage — free See the interview prep

No Republic Airways pack yet — want it built?

We will not pretend to have one. We build the next pack for the airline that gets asked for most, so leaving your address here is a vote. No sequence, one email when it ships.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does the Republic Airways cadet program cost?

The LIFT Academy costs $89,500 (financing available). Financing options may be available through partner institutions.

How long is the Republic Airways cadet training?

The programme duration is 18 months academy + immediate hire.

Is the Republic Airways cadet program sponsored?

No, the LIFT Academy is self-funded. However, financing options may be available.

What are the entry requirements for Republic Airways cadet program?

Minimum requirements include: FAA ATP or R-ATP minimums under 14 CFR 61.160 — 1,500 hours standard, 1,250 with a qualifying associate degree, 1,000 with a qualifying bachelor's degree, 750 for military pilots, Republic sets its own interview and hiring minimums (age and hours) per campaign, on top of the FAA floor, FAA First Class medical. Specific cadet entry requirements may differ from direct-entry requirements.

What salary will I earn after the Republic Airways cadet program?

First-year North America First Officer salaries typically fall between $59,500 and $87,500. Career earnings over 30 years usually exceed $3M-$10M depending on rank and seniority.

Is the Republic Airways cadet program worth it?

At a cost of $89,500 (financing available) and an estimated first-year salary of $70,000, the investment could be recovered in approximately 2 years. Career earnings over 30+ years typically exceed $5M+.

What is the acceptance rate for the Republic Airways cadet program?

Top cadet programmes typically accept 1-5% of applicants. Selection is based on aptitude testing, group exercises, simulator assessment, and structured interviews. Preparation with airline-specific question banks and aptitude practice materially improves your odds.

For Cadet Candidates

All-5 Exam Bundle — 60-Day Cadet Prep

The Republic Airways cadet assessment tests Math, Physics, English fluency, and aviation theory. The All-5 Bundle covers every track: FAA Part 107, PPL theory, Instrument, EASA ATPL, and DGAC TAE 2.0 ICAO English. One payment, 60 days of access, all 5 question banks.

$39one-time · 60-day accessBEST VALUE

Get the Bundle — $39

$39 once, no subscription. 60 days · all 5 exam tracks · 4,000+ questions · AI tutor.

Ace the Republic Airways Assessment

Airline Interview Prep Kit

87% of applicants fail the interview stage. Prepare with 200+ airline-specific questions, HR scenarios, group exercises, and sim assessment guides.

$14.99/mo$7.49/mo50% OFF

Start for $7.49

$7.49 first month, then $14.99/mo. Cancel anytime. 3,500+ questions included.

Ready to start your pilot career?

1,000+ exam prep questions, progress tracking, and detailed explanations.

$7.49 first month, then $14.99/mo. Cancel anytime.

Start for $7.49 Full Recruitment Guide

Related Cadet Resources

15 Airline Cadet Programs Worldwide

Hub guide

Compare every cadet programme side by side: cost, funding, age limits, requirements.

2026 Cadet Programmes — Open Now

Live application index

Every cadet seat currently accepting applications, ranked by deadline.

Lufthansa Cadet Program — Deep Guide

Long-form case study

A real candidate walkthrough: timeline, costs, what the EFA actually tests, financing.

Airline Pilot Interview Guide

Assessment prep

200+ questions, HR scenarios, sim assessment drills used at every cadet selection.

Other Cadet Programmes

Delta Air Lines

Delta Propel Pilot Career Path

Tuition varies by partner university

United Airlines

United Aviate Academy

$71,250 (financing available)

American Airlines

American Airlines Cadet Academy

$0 direct cost (flow-through)

SkyWest Airlines

SkyWest Pilot Pathway

Tuition reimbursement up to $25,000

Envoy Air

Envoy Cadet Program

$0 (flow-through program)

Horizon Air

Horizon Air Pilot Development Program

Tuition reimbursement up to $30,000

More on Republic Airways

Republic Airways Pilot Recruitment 2026

Application process, requirements, assessment, interview questions.

Republic Airways Pilot Salary 2026

First Officer & Captain pay scales, benefits, hours required.

Republic Airways Career Hub

Full career guide: routes, fleet, bases, training pipeline.

All Airlines Directory

Browse every airline we cover — hiring, pay, and cadet programmes.