MSGID: 2:292/854 19262410   
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   Airlines in the United States are currently having so much trouble getting   
   qualified pilots that there are plans to adjust cockpit requirements. For   
   example, the mandatory number of flight hours to be hired by airlines may be   
   lowered and the retirement age will actually increase.   
       
   Republic Airways, a carrier that operates regional flights on behalf of Delta   
   Air Lines, American Airlines and United Airlines, has said it has had a crying   
   shortage of pilots for months and is therefore unable to operate some flights.   
       
   Last month, Republic asked the Federal Aviation Administration for permission   
   to hire pilots from its own training academy who have clocked 750 hours of   
   flight time instead of the 1,500 hours now required. The FAA has not yet given   
   its approval for this.   
       
   It seems to be mainly regional airlines that cannot find enough pilots,   
   because the major carriers steal the candidates with better working conditions   
   right in front of them.   
       
   Earlier this year, Delta Air Lines withdrew the condition that pilots must   
   have completed a four-year college degree. The KLM and Air France partner said   
   it attaches more value to years of experience in the cockpit and can thus more   
   easily recruit pilots.   
       
   Meanwhile, Senator Lindsey Graham lends the industry a helping hand. He   
   proposes to raise the retirement age of pilots from 65 to 67 to give airlines   
   more leeway.   
      
   --- DB4 - 20220519   
    * Origin: AVIATION ECHO HQ (2:292/854)   
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