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 is facing a significant pilot shortage, projected to be 700 by year-end, primarily for fighter aircraft, potentially growing to over 1,000.
- Key factors contributing to this shortage include aggressive airline hiring with better compensation, frequent and lengthy deployments causing fatigue and time away from family, and budget cuts limiting flight time.
- Secretary of the Air Force Deborah Lee James also attributes the issue to Congress's failure to increase the pilot retention bonus, which has been stuck at $25,000 for 17 years, advocating for a raise to $35,000.
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