Republic Airways Pilot Recruitment 2026
Hiring status, requirements, selection steps and the path to the seat. Requirements checked against Republic Airways' official careers pages on .
Is Republic Airways hiring pilots in 2026?
Yes. Republic Airways is recruiting pilots, according to its official careers pages as of August 22, 2026. 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… Low-hour route: the LIFT Academy. New First Officers earn $92.73 an hour under the published scale.
Republic Airways screens with an aptitude battery before a human reads your application.
Sit a timed practice paper free — no account. Scored on pace as well as accuracy, because pace is what the real battery culls on.
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.
| Hiring status | Active— applications open |
|---|---|
| Country / Region | United States · North America |
| Bases | 5 bases · IND, EWR, DCA, ORD, LGA |
| Fleet types | ERJ-170, ERJ-175 |
| Contract type | Permanent with United flow-through |
| Type ratings accepted | ERJ-170/175 |
| Assessment stages | 3 stages · 3-step pipeline |
Republic Airways pilot requirements
As published on Republic Airways' official careers pages, checked August 22, 2026.
| Requirement | Detail |
|---|---|
| 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 |
What the job pays
From the Republic Airways–Teamsters Local 357 contract. Full Republic Airways pay table, by year and aircraft
The full table with every figure is on the Republic Airways salary page.
From student pilot to Republic Airways Captain
The hour figures are the FAA legal minimums (14 CFR Part 61); the time ranges are typical, not promises.
Step 1
Private Pilot certificate
40 h minimum 3–6 months 14 CFR 61.109Ground school, the FAA Private Pilot knowledge test (60 questions, 70% to pass), then the checkride. Most students log well over the 40-hour legal minimum.
Try free FAA Private Pilot written questionsStep 2
Instrument rating
50 h cross-country PIC + 40 h instrument 2–4 months 14 CFR 61.65Flying by reference to instruments in cloud. Another FAA knowledge test and checkride.
Step 3
Commercial Pilot certificate
250 h total 6–12 months 14 CFR 61.129The certificate that lets you be paid to fly. Add a multi-engine rating here or later.
Step 4
Build time (usually as a flight instructor)
250 → 1,500 h 1–2 yearsMost pilots instruct (CFI) or fly charter/survey to reach airline minimums.
Step 5
ATP minimums
1,500 h (R-ATP: 1,250 / 1,000 / 750) 14 CFR 61.159 / 61.160Restricted ATP at 1,250 h with an aviation associate degree, 1,000 h with a bachelor's, 750 h for qualifying military pilots. The ATP CTP course comes before the ATP knowledge test.
Step 6
Regional or entry-level airline First Officer
Turbine and Part 121 time 2–4 yearsWhere most US major-airline pilots build turbine and pilot-in-command time.
Step 7
Republic Airways First Officer
See the requirements abovePay steps up every year of seniority on the contract scale.
Step 8
Republic Airways Captain
Seniority-based upgrade Depends on seniority and growthCaptain seats are bid by seniority; how fast you hold one depends on hiring and retirements, not on your logbook alone.
How to Apply: Republic Airways Pilot Application Process
The Republic Airways pilot selection process step by step, as the airline describes it (checked August 22, 2026). Where the airline does not publish a stage, we say so.
- 1
Online Application
1 weekApply through Republic pilot careers portal.
- 2
Interview Day
1 dayPanel interview and sim evaluation at Indianapolis HQ.
- 3
Training
6-8 weeksERJ-170/175 type rating.
Assessment Stages: What Republic Airways Tests
1. Online Application & Screening
Initial review of qualifications, flight hours, certificates, and background.
Preparation Tips
- 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.
Preparation Tips
- 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.
Preparation Tips
- Practice raw-data instrument approaches
- Brief out loud as you would with a real crew
- Manage workload verbally
Republic Airways Pilot Interview Questions
Typical questions in airline pilot panel and HR interviews, including at Republic Airways. Prepare STAR-format answers (Situation, Task, Action, Result) and 8-10 real aviation stories.
- Q1
Tell me about a time you had a conflict with a crew member and how you resolved it.
- Q2
Describe a situation where you made a critical decision under time pressure.
- Q3
Why do you want to fly for this airline specifically?
- Q4
Tell me about a time you went above and beyond for safety.
- Q5
How do you handle fatigue management during long duty periods?
Fleet You Could Fly at Republic Airways
2 aircraft types currently operated
Type ratings accepted at application
Holding one of these ratings can accelerate the hiring pipeline.
Republic Airways Pilot Bases (5)
Available pilot bases — bid by seniority
Cadet Program (No Experience Required)
LIFT Academy
Republic-owned flight academy offering zero-to-hero training with guaranteed FO position at Republic upon completion.
Read full cadet program guide →
Insider Tips for Republic Airways Applicants
LIFT Academy is Republic-owned ab-initio school
Strong United flow-through agreement
Captain upgrade in 2-3 years
Knowing the Republic Airways process is step one. Being ready for the stages that actually cut people is step two.
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.
Already past the paperwork and preparing for the panel? , scored against the answers a panel is listening for. Seven days of access, no subscription.
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
Is Republic Airways hiring pilots in 2026?
What are the minimum requirements to fly for Republic Airways?
What is the Republic Airways pilot selection process?
How much does a new Republic Airways pilot earn?
What aircraft does Republic Airways fly?
Where are Republic Airways pilot bases?
Does Republic Airways have a cadet pilot program?
Related Pilot Career Resources
Republic Airways Cadet Program
$89,500 (financing available)
No-experience route into Republic Airways: training, requirements, and selection.
Airline Pilot Interview Guide
200+ questions
HR scenarios, sim assessment drills, and the question banks used at every major airline.
All Airline Recruitment Guides
Hub: 55 airlines
Compare hiring status, requirements, and bases across every major airline.
Pilot Jobs by State
US directory
Find airline pilot jobs in all 50 US states — airlines, airports, and top employers.
More on Republic Airways
Republic Airways Cadet Program 2026
Ab initio pathway, cost, duration, sponsorship status, how to apply.
Republic Airways Pilot Salary 2026
First Officer & Captain pay scales by year, benefits, hours.
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.