Airlines continue to experience pilot shortages.
The U.S. aviation industry is facing a continued shortage of qualified pilots to fill ever-increasing job openings. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that, due to pilots retiring, an average of 18,000 commercial positions will open per year in this decade.
Aviation businesses and airlines are trying to fill the vacancies with military veterans who already have the necessary training and experience.
The Aviation Technician Education Council reported that, despite an increase in the certification of new aircraft mechanics, there were not enough last year to fill the positions vacated during the pandemic.
A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) certified flight education costs around $80,000, which is separate from the bachelor’s degree that is also typically required. The FAA certified 12,771 new commercial pilots in 2021 and 13,715 in 2022.
As the Lord Leads, Pray with Us…
- For Acting Commissioner William Wiatrowski as he heads the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
- For Acting Administrator Polly Trottenberg as she oversees the Federal Aviation Administration.
- For aviation industry leaders as they seek veterans to fill the job vacancies.
Sources: American Military News, The Guardian
