Airlines worldwide are experiencing shortages of pilots. So what are they doing about it? They are scrambling to fill cockpits with new first officers by lowering experience levels, by partnering with aviation schools (ask Phoenix East Aviation about our partner airlines), by offering bonuses to new hires -- and even in some cases paying for some flight training and pilot licensing programs.
So, if you ever wanted a career as a pilot, now is most definitely the time. Take advantage of this and start your training now. Contact PEA at www.pea.com or call PEA at 1-800-868-4359 for more information.
In the US, the pilot squeeze is being felt mostly at regional airlines -- that's airlines that typically use aircraft with fewer than 100 seats. Most regional airlines have lowered their experience level requirements. (Pilots still have to pass tests at each airline and meet proficiency standards, of course).
The pilot shortage is the result of a compbination of factors. The most important one is fast-growing airlines and cargo carriers which have sucked up pilots. Growth in the US at discount airlines and private jet companies have also contributed to the shortage of pilots. Newer carriers and fractional-jet companies have been hiring hundreds of pilots. And in the past few years, major airlines have been recalling furloughed pilots too, which has created rapid turnover at the regional airlines. And finally, the US military, traditionally a source for trained pilots, has been turning out fewer pilots.
Several years ago regional airlines required applicants to have at least 1,500 hours total flying time, with 500 of those in multi-engine aircraft. This could take several years of working as a flight instructor, corporate jet pilot or cargo pilot. Now some ofthose same airlines are down to 500 hours -- and some airlines even less than that -- with as little as 50 of those hours in multi-engine aircraft.
If you are interested in becoming a pilot, consider an accredited flight school where classes start every month, look at Phoenix East Aviation.