It is common knowledge within the field of aviation that there is a diminishing pool of pilots and mechanics from which to fill a growing demand. But the situation is not quite so simple. Gary Kiteley, executive director of the University Aviation Association, said that while enrollments in collegiate aviation programs began increasing about three years ago, it is important to consider the inherent time lag in producing viable employees. “It takes roughly five years after enrollment in a baccalaureate program and two years in an associate program before a student is available to the workforce.”
Professor Roger Bacchieri, chair of the aviation division at Daniel Webster College, explained that there was a softening among student starts in the early to mid-1990s because the industry was not hiring. The lack of students during that period contributed significantly to the void that must be filled now. Since that time new pilot student starts have steadily increased, and in approximately two years there should be a significantly larger pool of experienced applicants positioned for entry-level corporate and regional airline flight crew positions.
