Starting Your Career at Envoy Air

For pilots entering the regional airline world, Envoy Air offers a well-structured training pipeline designed to take qualified candidates from new hire orientation to the flight deck of a modern regional jet. Understanding what to expect before you arrive can dramatically reduce stress and improve your performance throughout the process.

Minimum Requirements Before You Apply

To be considered for a First Officer position at Envoy Air, candidates must hold:

  • An ATP Certificate (Airline Transport Pilot) — or be ATP-eligible with a minimum of 1,000 hours total time under the restricted ATP rules for graduates of certain aviation programs
  • First Class Medical Certificate
  • FAA Commercial Pilot Certificate with Instrument Rating (at minimum, for R-ATP candidates)
  • At least 500–1,000+ hours total flight time, depending on the specific pathway
  • Multi-engine land rating

Envoy also runs the Envoy Pilot Cadet Program (EPCP), a structured pathway designed to guide students from zero time through to a First Officer seat, typically in partnership with select flight academies.

Phase 1: New Hire Indoctrination

All new Envoy pilots begin with Indoctrination (Indoc), conducted at the American Airlines Training & Conference Center in Fort Worth, Texas. This phase covers:

  • Company policies, procedures, and culture
  • Security and safety training
  • CRM (Crew Resource Management)
  • FAR/AIM review relevant to Part 121 operations
  • Aircraft general familiarization

Indoc typically lasts about one week. It's classroom-heavy and sets the tone for the professional standards expected throughout your career.

Phase 2: Aircraft Type Rating — Ground School

After Indoc, pilots move into aircraft-specific training. Envoy currently operates the Embraer 145 (ERJ-145) and Embraer 175 (ERJ-175). Most new hires are trained on the ERJ-145, though aircraft assignments can vary.

Ground school covers:

  • Aircraft systems in depth (hydraulics, electrical, pressurization, avionics, etc.)
  • Normal, abnormal, and emergency procedures
  • Performance and weight & balance
  • FMS (Flight Management System) operation

Expect intensive daily study. Most pilots describe ground school as the most academically demanding phase of training. Daily systems exams are common, and a failing grade can result in being held back or, in serious cases, removal from the training program.

Phase 3: Simulator Training (SIM)

Following ground school, pilots enter full-motion Level D simulator training. This phase includes:

  • Fixed Training Device (FTD): Lower-fidelity sim work for procedures and flows
  • Full Flight Simulator (FFS): High-fidelity training for maneuvers, emergency procedures, and instrument approaches
  • Maneuvers Validation (MV): FAA-required check event conducted in the simulator
  • Instrument Proficiency Check (IPC): Confirming IFR currency and capability

The Type Rating checkride (conducted in the simulator) is administered by an FAA examiner or company check airman. Passing this checkride earns you the official aircraft type rating added to your ATP certificate.

Phase 4: IOE — Initial Operating Experience

IOE is where you take everything from training and apply it in live, revenue operations alongside a Check Airman. This phase involves actual flights with passengers aboard. The Check Airman observes, evaluates, and signs off on your ability to operate independently in line operations.

IOE typically consists of 25 hours of flight time, though this varies. Upon successful completion, you receive your Line Qualification and are released to fly with a Captain on regular line operations.

The Path to Captain Upgrade

After accumulating sufficient seniority and flight hours at Envoy, First Officers become eligible to bid for a Captain upgrade. The upgrade process mirrors initial training: ground school, sim training, a Captain upgrade checkride, and IOE as Pilot-in-Command.

Upgrade timelines vary widely based on the company's growth, attrition, and your base, but Envoy has historically been known for relatively shorter upgrade times compared to some other regionals.

Final Thoughts

Pilot training at Envoy Air is rigorous, fast-paced, and professionally rewarding. Go in well-prepared, study your systems thoroughly, and lean on your training classmates for support. Success in training is the foundation of a long and fulfilling aviation career.