Some aviation advocates who are convinced that a pilot shortage is looming, with implications for costs and safety, have asked a government agency to conduct a study to confirm their concerns. About 16 groups, including FAA, AOPA, Boeing, and regional airline operators, told the Government Accountability Office, “The aviation industry is entering an era of unprecedented pilot staffing challenges as a result of a struggling economy, bankruptcies, mergers, increasing flight training costs, manufacturing declines and numerous new public laws and regulations.” Some pilot advocates have countered that there is no shortage. CBS aviation news analyst Chesley Sullenberger said the airlines have the means to solve their own problem: “When the airlines create working conditions and have wages that will attract qualified, experienced pilots, they will have enough applicants.”
Investigators concluded that the crew ignored terrain warning systems on a Sukhoi Superjet 100 regional jet that crashed into a mountain during a demo flight last May in Indonesia. “The plane crew was not aware of the mountainous terrain on the flight path due to several factors,” investigators said. “This meant they neglected the warning signals of the plane’s Terrain Awareness Warning System.” The crew also was distracted by a long conversation with a potential buyer who was in the cockpit, according to the report. Forty-five people were killed in the crash. The Russian-built airplane entered service last year, but fewer than 20 have been delivered.
