Reach for the Skies

EXPLORE YOUR POSSIBILITIES—AND THE WORLD— WITH THE COOLEST CAREER ON THE PLANET.

Have you always dreamed of being a pilot? Maybe you’ve already started down that path, taken some flying lessons, hung out around pilots and peppered them with all kinds of questions, dreaming of the day you put on the headset and fly solo.

Today, achieving that dream is more possible than ever. There’s a major shortage of pilots around the globe; in fact, it’s projected that by the year 2036, around 637,000 pilots will be needed worldwide. A significant shortage like that means the demand for commercial airline pilots is sky high.

That’s just one reason why Republic Airways, one of the nation’s largest regional airlines, created the Leadership In Flight Training (LIFT) Academy. The first U.S. regional carrier to create its own flight training school with a direct pathway to a job, Republic designed LIFT to make pursuing a career in aviation more affordable and attainable than previously believed possible. Addressing the growing pilot shortage (due in part to an aging Baby Boomer pilot population that is beginning to retire in vast numbers), Republic has subsidized the cost of training and offers a guaranteed job as a Republic First Officer to graduates of the program in hopes of attracting a more diverse group of aspiring pilots to enter the field.

Some examples of how LIFT does things differently:

Affordable tuition. Tuition at LIFT is $65,000, which is less than other aviation schools. LIFT offers loan assistance and, as soon as a student becomes a Certificated Flight Instructor (CFI, which takes about a year), they are paid to instruct other LIFT students. This allows them to earn income while finishing their required flight hours.

Advanced training technology. LIFT involves a combo of in-classroom, online and in-air instruction. Our students train on state-of-the-art flight simulators that look and feel like a real cockpit, and they fly in brand new Diamond Aircraft DA40NG and DA42VI single- and twin-engine planes. LIFT students are up in the air in those planes as soon as possible, too—usually within the first week or two after starting class. Weather permitting, they fly about three days a week.

Impressive partners. In addition to Republic’s codeshare partners—American Airlines, Delta Air Lines and United Airlines—LIFT is proud to partner with other well-known and respected companies. Its fleet of 50 aircraft and three simulators are delivered straight from the manufacturer, Diamond Aircraft. Bose is the exclusive provider of LIFT headsets, outfitting every LIFT student with a state-of-the-art Bose A20 Aviation Headset. Each training aircraft is equipped with a revolutionary Garmin G1000 all-glass avionics suite that makes flight information easier to scan and process, putting a wealth of flight-critical data at the pilot’s fingertips. Students also learn from a curriculum created by Jeppesen, which has been providing the aviation industry with navigational information for 80 years. Owned by Boeing, Jeppesen’s trusted aviation solutions are known around the world.

The benefits of being a pilot. While an airline pilot’s job is an important one that requires leadership, good judgment and quick thinking, it most definitely has many perks. A pilot’s “office” has an impressive 30,000-foot view, and pilots can travel the world, both on the job and off. Republic, based in Indianapolis, Indiana, has a fleet of about 190 Embraer 170/175 aircraft and offers scheduled passenger service with about 1000 daily flights to 100 cities in 40 U.S. states, Canada, the Caribbean and Central America. Pilots with Republic receive free or reduced airfare on their three partner airlines—American, Delta and United—as well as a minimum of 12 days off a month, excellent pay and benefits.

Republic ready. One of the biggest benefits a LIFT student has is the direct pathway to a career as a Republic pilot. Because LIFT is owned and operated by Republic, students are schooled in exactly what it takes to succeed at the airline. There are no surprises once they become a First Officer, because they’ve been trained as a Republic pilot all along the way, from the standard operating procedures to the callouts and even operating out of a busy airspace at Indianapolis International Airport. This gives students a leg up when working an American, Delta or United flight, too, because their training has prepared them for the particulars of all three.

Located in Indianapolis, LIFT welcomed its first class in September 2018, and new classes begin every month with applications accepted on a rolling basis. In just five months of classes, more than 50 students have started training with LIFT Academy and classes are full through early spring of 2019. Here’s what two LIFT students had to say about their experience:

“LIFT Academy has given me the chance to achieve a lifelong dream that I thought was unachievable. Mark Twain said, ‘The two most important dates in your life are the day you were born and the day you find out why.’ Thanks to LIFT Academy, I now know why.”

“My first time flying a plane brought on mixed emotions. Of course, I was excited to have my dream become a reality! While it was stressful at first, once you’ve done it a couple times you start to feel more confident. My instructor helps me overcome every obstacle and makes me feel very confident to fly. It’s challenging but exhilarating!”

THINK YOU HAVE THE SKILL AND THE WILL TO BE AN AIRLINE PILOT?

You can learn more about LIFT and the application process at flywithlift.com. Before you know it, you could be on your way to a rewarding, exciting career. Get ready to reach for the skies!