Q&A with a Republic Pilot: Colton Tribby

Colton Tribby grew up in an aviation family – but that doesn’t mean that aviation, or being a pilot, was something he always dreamed of pursuing. Colton’s dad works in aviation, as a pilot for a private aircraft company, and after a bit of urging from his father to take a discovery flight, Colton decided to give it a try. Once he did, he decided to pursue aviation and hasn’t looked back since.

TAKEOFF CHECKLIST –

Favorite overnight city? New York City

Dream airport to fly into? Charles de Gaulle Airport in Paris, France

Favorite plane flown? Embraer 175 or the Diamond DA-42

Dream airplane to fly? The next supersonic aircraft

Hardest rating to achieve? Instrument Rating

Favorite airport meal? LaGuardia’s Tony + Benny’s Breakfast Bowl (Hands down Corsair Cafe’s (at the Terre Haute Regional Airport) breakfast burrito if were talking about my time at LIFT)

Role model? My Dad!

Q: What made you want to be a pilot/what drew you to aviation? 

Colton Tribby: I was around aviation a lot as a kid, but it never interested me. I went to college and really didn’t enjoy what I was doing. After taking a discovery flight, following my dad’s suggestion to get my private pilot’s license, I decided to leave college and pursue aviation.

Q: When were you a student at LIFT? 

Colton: I was a student from February 2019 to February 2020.

Q: What was your experience like as a student? Instructor? 

Colton: My experience at LIFT was great, my training was a lot of fun, I worked hard and I progressed quickly. Instructing had some long days, but in the end, it got me to where I am today and was worth it.

Q: What made you excited to go to Republic to fly? 

Colton: The opportunity to fly a jet all over the country!

Q: What was training at Republic like?

Colton: Training was very fun and enjoyable, I felt supported and that I had the resources I needed to be successful throughout. I really had great classmates that I still keep in touch with.

Q: How did your education at LIFT prepare you for the airlines? 

Colton: LIFT really prepared us for the flows and fast-paced training of the airlines.

Q: Did you feel like you had an advantage compared to others in your class because of your training at LIFT Academy? 

Colton: Definitely. From day one of training at Republic, I noticed that many of the same terms are used. I already knew how to navigate Standard Operating Procedures and Flight Operation Manuals and the concepts of Normal Operations checklists and the use of Quick Reference Handbooks and Quick Reference Cards.

Q: What tools did you rely on the most during your training at Republic? 

Colton: My classmates and instructors. Having classmates to practice procedures and callouts with was a huge help for me. Also instructors were always there to answer any questions and support us in our training.

Q: What is it like to be a commercial airline pilot? 

Colton: Everything I dreamed it would be. Every flight is something new and I get to fly passengers in a jet across the country and get paid to do it!

Q: What do you have to look forward to in your career as a pilot? 

Colton: The opportunity to gain new knowledge and be the best pilot I can be.