First Officer - Regional Airline Pilot
About Republic Airways
Founded in 1974 and headquartered in Indianapolis, Indiana, Republic Airways stands as one of the largest regional carriers in North America. Operating a modern fleet of 200+ Embraer 170/175 aircraft, the airline proudly facilitates scheduled passenger service with approximately 900 daily flights to over 80 cities across the United States and Canada.
For five decades, Republic Airways has championed innovation and operational excellence. The company fosters a culture centered on trust, respect, care, and enjoyment, committed to investing in the professional and personal growth of its 6,000+ Associates. As the aviation industry enters an exciting era of growth, opportunities are significantly elevated for professionals joining the flight deck at Republic Airways.
Position Summary and Purpose
The First Officer supports the Aircraft Captain by ensuring the safe, timely, and efficient piloting of company aircraft. This safety-critical role requires the incumbent to execute all assigned flight and aircraft management duties in strict adherence to Federal Aviation Regulations (FARs) and established Company operational policies and procedures.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
The First Officer is expected to proficiently execute the following core responsibilities, contributing directly to reliable, on-time flight operations:
Flight Deck Operations and Planning
- Collaborates with the Captain to conduct comprehensive flight planning, utilizing all applicable weather information and reports in compliance with Company guidelines and FARs.
- Determines aircraft airworthiness through successful completion of appropriate preflight inspections, ensuring adherence to regulatory standards (FARs).
- Works closely with the Captain to ensure the flight is accurately planned and adequately fueled to guarantee the safe conduct of the operation.
- Safely and effectively operates the aircraft during the designated duty period, adhering strictly to the Captain’s instructions, FARs, and Company operational procedures.
- Completes the required load manifest accurately for each flight segment.
- Notifies crew and passengers promptly regarding turbulent weather conditions or any other operational factors that may affect the safety or comfort of the flight.
- Maintains a thorough and current working knowledge of the specific aircraft equipment operated, all applicable FARs, and Company manuals, policies, and procedures.
Ground Support and Professional Conduct
- Assists the Captain in maintaining operational punctuality by meeting all report times, departure times, and minimum turn times.
- At the terminal, assists with and ensures the proper and secure handling of the aircraft, passengers, baggage, and cargo.
- Maintains exemplary professional appearance and strictly adheres to the Company uniform dress code.
- Conducts themselves professionally while on duty, upholding all Rules of Conduct as outlined in the Flight Operations Manual and Associate Handbook.
- Commits to continuous professional training and development aimed at enhancing performance and technical abilities.
- Maintains regular and reliable attendance in accordance with established Company practices.
Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
Education and Experience Requirements
- High School diploma or GED is required.
- Must satisfy the minimum requirements for an Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) or Restricted ATP (RATP) certificate.
- Possession of the ATP written examination is highly preferred.
- Must meet the current age and flight hour requirements established by the FAA and the Company for both interview and hiring eligibility.
Conditional Hiring Eligibility
Candidates meeting the interview minimums but not the hiring minimums may be eligible for hire upon successful completion of the interview process, provided the following conditions are met within six months of the interview date:
- The candidate achieves the established Hiring Minimums.
- No certificate action has been initiated since the date of the interview.
- The candidate has maintained a clean record (no new misdemeanors or felonies).
- The candidate accepts a class date within six months of the interview date.
Preferred Qualifications
- Prior customer service experience, preferably within a fast-paced aviation environment.
Cognitive and Communication Abilities
- Language Skills: Must possess the ability to read, analyze, interpret, and rapidly assimilate complex technical procedures and governmental regulations, especially under stressful or emergency conditions. Must be capable of effectively presenting information and responding to questions from management, dispatch, crew, passengers, air traffic control, and the general public. Must be fluent in English, including the ability to communicate and be understood, even when utilizing shouted verbal commands during emergency scenarios.
- Reasoning/Problem Solving: The First Officer must demonstrate the ability to solve practical problems and manage complex variables where standardization may be limited. The incumbent must remain calm, think clearly, and react swiftly and positively in all types of emergency situations, including, but not limited to, medical events, decompression, emergency evacuations, security threats, turbulence, and fires.
- Decision Making & Impact: The role requires rapid processing of information to support strategic direction. Decisions generally carry medium-range significance with moderate consequences, though unusual situations may demand critical, safety-of-flight decisions. The incumbent must control personal and emotional responses and act appropriately under high levels of operational stress.
Work Environment and Physical Demands
This position requires a significant level of physical stamina and adaptability to dynamic operational environments:
Physical Demands
- Ability to safely climb, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, squat, and/or crawl.
- Ability to sit for extended periods without standing.
- Capable of lifting or moving items at various heights, weighing up to 75 pounds.
- Adherence to all visual and auditory medical standards established by the FAA.
- Ability to hear clearly verbal communications in person, over the telephone, and via a headset amidst ambient aircraft and passenger noise.
- Possession of the stamina required to work long, sequential duty days, often involving frequent changes in temperature, climate, and weather conditions.
- Must be able to move freely, effectively, and quickly within a confined aircraft environment and sit in the pilot’s or assigned jump seat with the seatbelt and shoulder harness fastened without modification.
Work Environment and Travel
- The position involves working near moving mechanical parts and may require working within an open-air hangar or on the flight line for prolonged periods, exposed to outdoor weather conditions.
- The noise level is frequently loud, requiring consistent use of a headset.
- Willingness and ability to work extended duty periods on sequential days, as well as a varied schedule that includes early mornings, nights, overnights, and weekends.
- Travel up to 100% of the time, including nights, weekends, holidays, and overnight stays. The candidate must be prepared for a lack of scheduling control and be ready to report to work with little notice.
- Willingness to relocate based on the Company’s operational needs.
Equal Opportunity Employer
Republic Airways is an Equal Opportunity Employer, providing accommodations for disability and protected veterans. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.