There has been a lot in the news the past few years regarding the global pilot shortage, especially since post-pandemic travel surpassed pre-pandemic levels. It’s true: the industry still has a vast need for qualified airline pilots. So for those of you looking at pilot jobs, you may wonder how you can become a pilot. The good news is that there are several avenues for pursuing a pilot career. Here are ways you can become an airline pilot with Republic Airways.
Even if you have no flying experience, LIFT Academy will train qualified applicants to become commercial airline pilots with a defined pathway to Republic Airways. LIFT is a flight training school owned and operated by Republic that was created specifically to address the pilot shortage and to offer an attainable and affordable pathway to a pilot career. With our original location in Indianapolis adjacent to the Indianapolis International Airport, and a second location that opened in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina in 2023, students now have even more options for industry-leading training.
Initial training at LIFT can be completed in as little as 18 months. After that, LIFT offers three pathways to complete training and earn the required flight hours to move onto First Officer:
Congratulations! You’ve made it to the right seat – the seat a First Officer occupies in the flight deck. Republic First Officers enjoy many benefits, including the opportunity to work from one of our 10 U.S. base locations, fly the world’s largest all-Embraer 170/175 fleet, efficient training programs in our new state-of-the-art training facility and much more. But best of all, your pilot career path to becoming Captain has a faster track at Republic with several options available. Republic offers pilots alternative pathways to work their way to the left seat as well as defined programs to move to one of our three codeshare partners (American, Delta and United) faster.
We offer three programs that can put your pilot career on the path to Captain more efficiently than traditional methods:
Whether you’ve earned your four stripes through one of Republic’s programs or joined as a Direct-Entry Captain from another airline, your opportunities are elevated at Republic. We have the BEST work rules in the industry, flight privileges around the world for you and your family, outstanding benefits and better work/life balance.
Pilot jobs are plentiful—what are you waiting for? LIFT Academy accepts students as young as 18 years old and welcomes career changers, current/former military and anyone who has a desire and aptitude to pursue an exciting pilot career. Start your aviation journey today. Before you know it, you’ll hear yourself saying “Welcome aboard, this is your captain speaking!”