Pilot Shortage Could Hold Back BizAv Growth

Flight hours rose in Asia, Europe, and the Middle East from March 2013 to March 2014, and business jet flights in the U.S. rose 3.4% in the same timeframe. With business aviation on the rise in many regions, the pilot-in-training pipeline should be swollen with candidates waiting to get in on the action. But that’s not the case; in fact, a pilot shortage could hamper business aviation growth.

According to the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO), the U.S. airline industry is facing a shortage of qualified pilots. Since 1980, the number of pilots in the country has decreased by about 25% to 617,000, per the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association. And if it continues, this drought will affect both the commercial and general aviation sectors.

Possible causes

Many industry insiders are trying to determine the reason for the shortage. The problem is likely the result of many factors:

• Fewer students are entering and completing pilot training programs.
• Experienced pilots are retiring as a result of mandatory age-65 retirement.
• With military cost cuts, there are fewer military pilots — which means fewer ex-military pilots are available for commercial and general aviation positions.
• The cost of training is high, and entry-level pilot salaries are low.

The National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) considers the pilot talent pipeline one of its top safety focus areas. The reality is that business aviation will be competing with commercial operators to hire qualified pilots from an ever-shrinking pool of available candidates.

Solving the shortage

To solve the shortage problem, current aviation professionals must recruit and mentor new pilots by touting the benefits of private-jet flying: the opportunity to fly into a variety of destinations, including small airports; the additional challenges of flying business jets; and the freedom of more operational control for the crew. In addition, businesses and business aviation trade groups can more aggressively promote and recruit candidates for business aviation — for example, by interacting with student pilots at colleges and training schools.

To help ease the cost burden of pilot training, businesses can financially support pilot-training programs, as well as encourage colleges to offer aviation training and degree programs. Also, businesses, trade organizations (such as the NBAA), educational organizations, and government initiatives can provide scholarships and other financial incentives to attract students into pilot training programs. Finally, regulatory agencies can provide more flexible licensing options for pilots.

It’s in the interest of business aviation industry stakeholders to support the recruitment and training of new pilots. The continuing health and growth of the industry depends on it.