When the Boeing forecast released last month gave a hint of the number of pilots and mechanics needed in the next two decades, it included some bare-bones figures, 43,000, for the helicopter industry worldwide. Within the U.S., however, the number of active helicopter pilots sits at about 15,000 according to Robbie Paul, assistant chief flight instructor at Southern Utah State University in Cedar City, Utah. SUU offers both fixed wing and a rotary wing flight training.
Pilot Shortage Also Extends to the Rotary World
Key Takeaways:
- The helicopter industry faces a severe and often overlooked pilot shortage, with the U.S. alone projected to need 7,500 more pilots over the next 18 years compared to its current 15,000 active pilots.
- High training costs and the significant flight hour requirements (around 1,000 hours) for initial jobs pose major barriers for aspiring helicopter pilots.
- Institutions like Southern Utah State University are actively addressing the shortage by securing scholarships, collaborating with operators to lower flight time requirements for entry-level positions, and incorporating flight instructor certification into their curriculum to help graduates build experience.
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