OJT

Several recent newspaper and magazine articles have reported on supposed pilot shortages in the U.S. and, especially, abroad. The reporting, of course, focuses on airline flight crews but doesnt really distinguish between long-established U.S. carriers flying Boeings and Airbii and what at least one industry observer labeled the "lower rungs of the aviation career ladder:" regional jets and turboprops. At least one close friend, himself serving as a regional jet captain, has expressed amazement at the relatively low talent and experience levels hes finding in the seat to his right.

Key Takeaways:

• Reports of pilot shortages, especially in regional and international carriers, have led to significantly reduced flight hour requirements for first officers, sometimes as low as 500 hours.
• The article mitigates concerns about these lower experience levels by highlighting advancements such as increased cockpit automation, improved training and ATC systems, and enhanced overall safety compared to previous decades.
• New pilots gain essential on-the-job experience flying in the right seat, with the author emphasizing that true aviation judgment is acquired through consistent flying, making mistakes, and learning from them.

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