<p>A perennial problem for smaller airlines is that larger airlines tend to headhunt a considerable number of their pilots. Even when you’re a regional carrier with around 200 Embraer E-Jets in your fleet, it can still happen – and then you’re left with trying to ensure that you have a big enough pilot pool to operate your own services.</p>
<p><img alt="E175 with sunset at IND" src="/getasset/86c9965a-e842-4d97-86b0-a4cadd0efe02/" /></p>
<p>That had been the story at Indianapolis-based Republic Airways, which operates E170s and E175s under the regional brands of each of the big three carriers – American Airlines, Delta Airlines and United Airlines. In fact, a recent deal with Delta will see Republic take on a further 30 E175s, with the first arriving in October 2019, and the remainder being delivered by July 2020.</p>
<p>In 2018, to respond to the pilot attrition, the company took matters in-house and set up a wholly-owned training subsidiary, LIFT (Leadership In Flight Training) Academy. The move made Republic the only US regional airline to operate its own training academy “specifically designed to create a direct-to-hire path for its graduates”.</p>
<p>It is highly appropriate, therefore, that with all the US regionals gathering in Nashville this week for the Regional Airline Association (RAA) Annual Convention, the LIFT Academy has just celebrated its first anniversary since opening its doors and declared that it has had “an amazing first year”.</p>
<p>The figures it quotes are impressive, led by the fact that 16% of all applicants were female, twice the national average of female pilots in the US. Moreover, among all students, LIFT has attracted candidates from 31 States to move to the Academy for their training.</p>
<p>To create nationwide interest, LIFT’s recruiters have visited cities all across the country, including Chicago, Kansas City, St. Louis, New York, Louisville, Oshkosh, Los Angeles, Pittsburgh and Columbus. Thankfully, those who apply don’t have to make the journey to Indianapolis to take the next step of the application process, the COMPASS test and in-person interview (pre-requisites for acceptance into LIFT). These take place in either a local hotel or conference centre after an initial Meet & Greet with LIFT recruiters.</p>
<p>As it did just after its launch, LIFT took its roadshow to the renowned EAA AirVenture in Oshkosh, Wisconsin last month. The team spent the week alongside Diamond Aircraft Industries, maker of the 23 aircraft currently in the LIFT fleet (21 DA 40s and 2 DA 42s). In fact, the Academy had its own DA 40 aircraft present, along with the LIFT Lab – a mobile flight simulator, equipped with four virtual reality headsets and stations, which enable users to immerse themselves in a simulated flight experience with themselves at the helm.</p>
<p>In addition to taking the LIFT Lab to recruitment events, the Academy makes it available for use at high school STEM events, college fairs and similar venues. This is the device praised by RAA president, Faye Malarkey Black, in her recent interview with Flight Jobs, <a href="https://jobs.flightglobal.com/article/raa-addresses-pilot-shortage-and-training-quality/">RAA addresses pilot shortage and training quality</a>.</p>
<p>Once through the selection process, tuition costs $65,000 for the entire programme which the Academy says is “much less than many four-year degrees”. Moreover, Republic will offer financing opportunities and a loan assistance programme, plus a First Officer starting pay rate of $45/hour – and every LIFT Academy graduate has a guaranteed pilot job at Republic. The average first-year salary is around $60,000.</p>
<p>When it comes to results from its first year, the 28 CFIs (certified flight instructors) on staff have helped to LIFT students to achieve a total of 109 licences and ratings. With a new class beginning each month, Republic looks set to stave off the headhunters. </p>
<hr />
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<p><img alt="E175 with sunset at IND" src="/getasset/86c9965a-e842-4d97-86b0-a4cadd0efe02/" /></p>
<p>That had been the story at Indianapolis-based Republic Airways, which operates E170s and E175s under the regional brands of each of the big three carriers – American Airlines, Delta Airlines and United Airlines. In fact, a recent deal with Delta will see Republic take on a further 30 E175s, with the first arriving in October 2019, and the remainder being delivered by July 2020.</p>
<p>In 2018, to respond to the pilot attrition, the company took matters in-house and set up a wholly-owned training subsidiary, LIFT (Leadership In Flight Training) Academy. The move made Republic the only US regional airline to operate its own training academy “specifically designed to create a direct-to-hire path for its graduates”.</p>
<p>It is highly appropriate, therefore, that with all the US regionals gathering in Nashville this week for the Regional Airline Association (RAA) Annual Convention, the LIFT Academy has just celebrated its first anniversary since opening its doors and declared that it has had “an amazing first year”.</p>
<p>The figures it quotes are impressive, led by the fact that 16% of all applicants were female, twice the national average of female pilots in the US. Moreover, among all students, LIFT has attracted candidates from 31 States to move to the Academy for their training.</p>
<p>To create nationwide interest, LIFT’s recruiters have visited cities all across the country, including Chicago, Kansas City, St. Louis, New York, Louisville, Oshkosh, Los Angeles, Pittsburgh and Columbus. Thankfully, those who apply don’t have to make the journey to Indianapolis to take the next step of the application process, the COMPASS test and in-person interview (pre-requisites for acceptance into LIFT). These take place in either a local hotel or conference centre after an initial Meet & Greet with LIFT recruiters.</p>
<p>As it did just after its launch, LIFT took its roadshow to the renowned EAA AirVenture in Oshkosh, Wisconsin last month. The team spent the week alongside Diamond Aircraft Industries, maker of the 23 aircraft currently in the LIFT fleet (21 DA 40s and 2 DA 42s). In fact, the Academy had its own DA 40 aircraft present, along with the LIFT Lab – a mobile flight simulator, equipped with four virtual reality headsets and stations, which enable users to immerse themselves in a simulated flight experience with themselves at the helm.</p>
<p>In addition to taking the LIFT Lab to recruitment events, the Academy makes it available for use at high school STEM events, college fairs and similar venues. This is the device praised by RAA president, Faye Malarkey Black, in her recent interview with Flight Jobs, <a href="https://jobs.flightglobal.com/article/raa-addresses-pilot-shortage-and-training-quality/">RAA addresses pilot shortage and training quality</a>.</p>
<p>Once through the selection process, tuition costs $65,000 for the entire programme which the Academy says is “much less than many four-year degrees”. Moreover, Republic will offer financing opportunities and a loan assistance programme, plus a First Officer starting pay rate of $45/hour – and every LIFT Academy graduate has a guaranteed pilot job at Republic. The average first-year salary is around $60,000.</p>
<p>When it comes to results from its first year, the 28 CFIs (certified flight instructors) on staff have helped to LIFT students to achieve a total of 109 licences and ratings. With a new class beginning each month, Republic looks set to stave off the headhunters. </p>
<hr />
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