The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has denied a request by Republic Airways that would have exempted the airline from the requirement that its first officers have at least 1,500 flight hours, allowing graduates of Republic’s pilot training program to be hired with the same lower flight times specified for military pilots.
Exempting the airline from the so-called 1,500-hour rule “would not be in the public interest or provide an equivalent level of safety,” Caitlin Locke, acting deputy executive director of the FAA Flight Standards Service, said in a decision made public Sept. 19.
Republic had asked for the exemption earlier this year, arguing that its restricted air transport license program provides training for civilian pilots that resembles military pilot training and “satisfies the spirit of regulations while enhancing safety and providing a benefit to the public.” Military pilots, who are exempt from the 1,500-hour rule, must have a minimum o…
