According to the FAA, the number of pilots has increased every year since 2016.Craig Fuller
Key Takeaways:
Contrary to the belief that it's declining, general aviation is experiencing a significant resurgence, with pilot numbers increasing yearly since 2016 and projected to break records by 2025.
This growth is largely driven by the airline industry's pilot shortages, leading to increased recruitment, better pay, and a subsequent boost in university aviation training programs.
Other key factors include venture capital investment in new flight technologies, the "wealth effect" encouraging personal aircraft ownership, the flexibility offered by private flying amid remote work and pandemic concerns, and the influential role of social media in attracting new enthusiasts.
Over the past few months, I have talked to a number of people that have told me that general aviation is dying and would eventually all but disappear. They blame the FAA, a decline in military pilot training programs, and competing activities (video games).
But the reality is that general aviation is actually experiencing a massive resurgence.
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