Getting Youth Involved

tspitzmiller

Thursday, August 26, 2021 at 09:00 AM ET

Verified

Key Takeaways:

The U.S. general aviation sector is experiencing a pilot shortage among young aviators, largely due to a lack of media excitement around aviation, the high cost of training, and limited exposure to pilots.
Proposed solutions include direct flight experiences offered by organizations like EAA and CAP, and the establishment of STEM-based charter schools, such as SAMS Academy, that integrate aviation into their core curriculum.
Further initiatives involve the Civil Air Patrol's "Fly a Teacher" program to educate educators on aerospace topics and encourage community involvement from current aviators to inspire the next generation.

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One failure of GA in the U.S. is the dearth of young aviators, creating a pilot shortage. While many colleges and flight schools attempt solutions, there’s just not a big demand.

First, blame the media. Aviation is not as exciting as it was in the 1950s. In that era, every few months there was a new speed or altitude record. The jet age was so prevalent that it influenced car styling, and there were many new innovative and exciting aircraft.