Mention pilot shortage these days and most people assume some segment of the airline industry is facing dwindling numbers. But the U.S. Air Force said recently it too is having trouble finding enough good people to fly its aircraft. Unlike the regional airline segment, however, the USAF already knows they’re going to be about 700 pilots short, mainly for fighter aircraft, by the end of this year. The Air Force sees that shortage growing to more than 1,000 aviators if the retention environment remains stagnant.
Pilot Shortage Isn’t Only an Airline Problem
Key Takeaways:
- The U.S. Air Force faces a significant pilot shortage, projected to be 700 by year-end and potentially over 1,000 if current retention issues persist, mainly impacting fighter aircraft.
- Factors contributing to the shortage include aggressive airline hiring offering better compensation, lengthy deployments leading to fatigue and family separation, and budget cuts limiting flight time.
- The Secretary of the Air Force is urging Congress to increase the pilot retention bonus from its stagnant $25,000 (for 17 years) to $35,000 to improve aviator retention.
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