Training Capacity of the Fixed Wing FAA Part 141 Flight Schools within the United States

Main Article Content

Robert L Thomas
Nicola M O'Toole

Abstract

Discussions have been held in classrooms, industry forums and in the media about the looming pilot shortage.  Discussion to date has primarily focused on causal factors, and forecasting industry need for pilots; there is little research on where those pilots are going to come from.  A study was conducted to quantify the pilot training capacity in the United States, focusing on FAA Part 141 certified flight schools associated with University degree programs.  This information will be used to help the FAA and industry members make informed decisions and plan for the future.  In total, 33 schools participated in a survey, ranging in size from 1700 students to 11. Lack of CFI’s was the most common limiting factor, followed by lack of aircraft.  14 of the 33 schools were at or above 100 percent capacity. Several other metrics were surveyed, including costs, total pilot output, training duration, and CFI attrition, in order to build a broad picture of the state of pilot training within the United States.

Article Details

Section
Peer-Reviewed Articles
Author Biographies

Robert L Thomas, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University

Assistant Professor, Aeronautical Science

PhD

Nicola M O'Toole, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University

Assistant Professor, Aeronautical Science

References

CAE (2017). CAE’s Airline Pilot Demand Outlook, a 10-year view. Retrieved from https://www.cae.com/media/documents/Civil_Aviation/CAE__Airline_Pilot_Demand_Outlook_a_10-year_view_2017.pdf

Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) (2018). U.S. Civil Airman Statistics: 2018 Active Civil Airman Statistics 2018. Retrieved from: https://www.faa.gov/data_research/aviation_data_statistics/civil_airmen_statistics/

McGee, Michael, Air Transport Pilot Supply and Demand: Current State and Effects of Recent Legislation. Santa Monica, CA: RAND Corporation, 2015. https://www.rand.org/pubs/rgs_dissertations/RGSD351.html.

Smith, MaryJo O.; Smith, Guy M.; Bjerke, Elizabeth; Christensen, Cody; Carney, Thomas Q.; Craig, Paul A.; and Niemczyk, Mary (2017) "Pilot Source Study 2015: A Comparison of Performance at Part 121 Regional Airlines Between Pilots Hired Before the U.S. Congress Passed Public Law 111-216 and Pilots Hired After the Law’s Effective Date," Journal of Aviation Technology and Engineering: Vol. 6: Iss. 2, Article 4. Retrieved from https://doi.org/10.7771/2159-6670.1151