Future years could see a pilot shortage
August 1, 2011, 08:20 am
A recent article published by WLUK-TV inspects the growing need for pilots and the potential shortages of both aviators and flight instructors.
According to the article, aircraft manufacturer Boeing predicts that a little more than 23,000 new pilots will be needed each year until 2029. Growing air travel markets are one source of this projection, as is the mandatory Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) retirement age of 65.
Doug Stewart, from the Society of Aviation and Flight Educators, says that the lack of aviation instructors is the most alarming issue. He told the source, "The flight instructor is the key to all of this because if you don't have someone to teach them, there's a shortage all the way around."
The article notes that aviation officials and experts say it's never too late to begin a flying career. The average career path for a pilot takes between four and six years to get off the ground, but it's possible to earn a pilot's license within two years.
The Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association reports that in 2010, there were 627,588 FAA-certified pilots and 96,473 flight instructors in the United States. The projected number of pilots for 2011 falls to 618,660. Life insurance for pilots is a necessity for aviators who wish to protect their families should the unthinkable occur.
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