Shortage in Private Jet Pilots and Technicians
NBAA heads to congress to discuss the shortage of pilots and technicians:
There has been a trend in not only the private jet industry but the commercial industry as well. The pilot and technician population is increasing in age while having a shortage of new pilots joining the industry. We are getting to the point where experienced workers are hitting the mandatory retiring age of 65, but this leaves the industry a shortage of workers. NBAA noted to congress that Boeing will need 645,000 new commercial pilots and nearly 100,000 new business aircraft pilots worldwide over the next 20 years, and that is just one company. There is a projected worldwide demand for almost 770,000 new aviation technicians over the next 20 years.
The supply of pilots has decreased by 30% because the average age of currently employed pilots is 51, and new potential candidates are no longer choosing aviation as a career path. This becomes an issue since the aviation industry keeps increasing, particularly private jet travel. There needs to be an increase in these employees to keep the U.S as the leader in air travel. NBAA praised the committee for helping to pass the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018, which includes several workforce development initiatives, including grant programs to support the education of future aircraft pilots and the recruitment of aviation maintenance technicians.