Wed, Aug 15, 2012
But Warns Of Flight Cuts From Pilot Shortfall
In a recent speech at the Wichita Aero Club, Regional Airline Association (RAA) President Roger Cohen cited the remarkable safety enhancements, as well as growth and prominence of the nation’s regional airlines. However, he warned that a looming pilot shortage could force flight cutbacks in many of the nearly 500 cities that rely exclusively on regionals for scheduled passenger service.
“Absent a game-changing shift in the supply of trained aviation professionals, particularly pilots, communities even larger than Wichita – and certainly those smaller – are in jeopardy of losing some, if not all their scheduled flights,” Cohen cautioned. “This could cut off communities from today’s global economy where airline service is as important as an Internet connection.”
Cohen said there was widespread consensus among aviation, academic and government experts about a future pilot shortage, but that predicting an exact timeframe was difficult due to the ever-changing dynamics of the economy and airline business. He cited FAA statistics showing a steady decline in the number of pilots, and warned that new requirements arbitrarily increasing applicant’s flight hours by 600% would further discourage students from pursuing pilot careers.
“In Wichita – on the Mt. Rushmore of aviation cities – this message is especially chilling,” Cohen stated. “It’s telling young people who’ve gone into debt getting their aviation education, they must fly around in circles for a year before even applying for an airline job.” He closed by stating, “this is encouraging quantity versus quality flight time--towing banners can’t compare to sophisticated structured programs when it comes to training safe, professional airline pilots.”
More News
Chaff Thin, narrow metallic reflectors of various lengths and frequency responses, used to reflect radar energy. These reflectors, when dropped from aircraft and allowed to drift d>[...]
“Today, XB-1 took flight in the same hallowed airspace where the Bell X-1 first broke the sound barrier in 1947. I’ve been looking forward to this flight since founding>[...]
“Teaming up with the EAA and Berlin Express for this event in Cincinnati will give warbird fans a unique opportunity to see the aircraft that helped defend freedom and gave t>[...]
Hazardous Weather Information Summary of significant meteorological information (SIGMET/WS), convective significant meteorological information (convective SIGMET/WST), urgent pilot>[...]
Aero Linx: The Nebraska Aeronautics Commission The Nebraska Aeronautics Commission was created by the 1935 Legislature to oversee the development of aviation in the state. The Comm>[...]