"Fly Boy"

EXT. AIRPLANE. DAY.

FADE IN

Narrator
Did you know the United States is facing a potentially critical shortage in its number of certified commercial airplane pilots? And, an estimated 1.3 new pilots are required to fly current, as well as new, fleets for Boeing and Airbus, the country's two largest jet manufacturers. This shortage is expected to drive ticket prices up and increase seat demand on those planes with certified pilots.

Pilot
If the current trend continues it may affect passengers because there will be less aircraft in the air transporting them.

Narrator
One of the major issues with the lesser number of certified commercial pilots is the starting wage for the field is considerably low and ranges between $20,000 to $40,000 annually. Another is the FAA's mandate that First Officers and co-pilots get 1,500 hours of flight time to become certified pilots. This alone more than triples the cost of pilot training.

Pilot
In order to provide more certified airplane pilots the Federal Aviation Administration raised the mandatory retirement age from 60 to 65.

Narrator
However, co-pilots with military experience and a college degree from a recognized institution, require less than this 1,500 hour mandate of flight time. They need to possess 1,000 hours.

Pilot
The career path for most commercial pilots starts with training in smaller aircraft before they qualify to fly multiengine passenger planes. Typically, these positions are with regional carriers. In turn, regional airlines lose many pilots to major airlines such as Delta, United, and American because of higher wages and preferred routes.

Narrator
The problem of how to attract more certified commercial airline pilots starts long before they are offered their first job. It remains the cost of training, which is estimated to range approximately $100,000. In addition, this training is tough for obvious reasons. Many would-be pilots begin the training, realize how difficult it is, and don't continue. This training also does not include the high costs associated with their college degrees.

Pilot
Some pilots lower these costs by having a family member qualified to train pilots train them or by becoming flight instructors.

Narrator
The demand for certified commercial pilots is so large its affecting the military, who is becoming in need of approximately 2,000 pilots to shore up their active and reserve pilots requirements. Why has this problem blossomed? Because private sector salaries are higher than military pay and many military pilots leave the service for better civilian opportunities. In Part Two we will examine the effects pilot shortages could potentially place on airline operations. Until the next time.

FADE OUT