1500 Hour Rule...

Inducing a Pilot Shortage?

The question about the pilot shortage is still bouncing around the industry. Yes, there is a pilot shortage and it has already begun for the Regionals. The majors, however, will continue to suck up pilots from the Regionals, so for awhile they will have a surplus. Until they don't.

My friend and I are working on an idea to help make it more affordable to fly. However, today I was asked if I believed this 1500 hour requirement has made a difference in the pilot shortage.

Yes, of course it has! 

The Regionals are already hurting. But more than that, many of the pilots I talk to within the 400-500 hour range are giving up because they cannot figure out how to get the time. And others who would have flown, expressed concern as how to get time so they are choosing different careers. 

Not to be a conspiracy theorist... 

just plotting novels that seem to ring true.

 

The Big Picture: 

• The FAA was originally chartered for airline economics.

• Boeing and Airbus are currently designing planes without pilots.

• Labor is a huge expense.

Now imagine an FAA mandate that exacerbates a pilot shortage because they make it that much harder to become a pilot. And because of this, one day we don't have enough pilots to fly our aircraft.  Imagine if when that time comes, Boeing and Airbus state, "But you only need half the pilots (or no pilots) because we have airplanes that just need monitoring! What great fortune that our technology is here to save the day!" 

Of course the FAA must approve the single (or no) pilot operation in the name of world economics. 

Planes must fly. 

How will the industry 

combat this induced pilot shortage? 

Make planes requiring fewer (or no) pilots. And how do we create a need for that single pilot, or no pilot aircraft? Create a pilot shortage! Timing will be the key on this one... but the wave of the future has begun. And because these automated aircraft are not yet ready to fly, the FAA is softening the blow with extending the age limits. Soon to be 67.

Reality is, either the FAA did not see the ripple effect of this 1500-hour rule, or they knew exactly what they were doing.

Has this 1500 rule impacted your desire to fly?

 

Hang in there... there are a few people working on their doctorates to come to your assistance! If you want to fly, begin now. Build those hours. Things will change. And if you haven't read this yet, please check out what I'm doing to be your voice in the future: One Wish for Aviation.

There is no better time than today 

to become a pilot!

Enjoy the Journey!