An Examination of the U.S. Collegiate Aviation Workforce in Preparing the Next Generation of Aviation Faculty Members Beyond 2000

Abstract

Aviation as an academic field of study has evolved in the span of a century. As the new millennium approaches, collegiate aviation will be called upon to prepare a new generation of highly skilled workers. These workers need to be educated by current and future generations of aviation faculty members. The purpose of this study was to examine the US collegiate aviation workforce to determine if the next generation of faculty members are being adequately prepared. A descriptive study survey questionnaire was used to collect data for this study which was sent to US University Aviation Association (UAA) institutional members in order to ascertain their workforce needs. The study found that a significant amount of hiring for qualified aviation faculty members is already occurring. The survey results also indicated a substantial number of retirements is either taking place or is anticipated to take place by the year 2000. A very significant finding was that almost all of the respondents believe the public at large does not have an adequate understanding of collegiate aviation.