AVIATION CAREER UPDATE – March 15, 2008

By Gene Benson

The pilot shortage is fully upon the industry. Virtually every segment of professional aviation is actively recruiting pilots. Just last week I received a post card from one of the most prestigious aviation universities. It contained an offer to apply for an instructing job. The post card was almost certainly part of a mailing to every flight instructor in the U.S. That certainly demonstrates the demand for entry level pilots.

Southwest Airlines recently began a mentoring program to help guide low-time pilots through the process of gaining enough experience to make them eligible for employment at Southwest. That demonstrates the demand for pilots at the higher end of the spectrum.

AIR, Inc. the Atlanta based aviation hiring experts, forecast more than 10,000 new pilot hires for 2008. Continental, JetBlue, and USAirways projections account for more than 1000 of that number.

Manufacturers have reported record sales of business jets in recent months. Each of these jets will require several pilots in order for it to be fully crewed. Recent comments in this space have touted the virtues of seeking a career in business aviation as opposed to the airlines.

So, maybe this is a great time to make that jump into becoming a professional pilot - or not. Every indication shows that the economy is turning sharply downward. A strong aviation industry requires a strong economy. All aspects of travel, from business trips to vacations, take a downturn when the economy is sluggish. Less travel translates directly into fewer pilots needed. If the economy slows as current indicators show, the projections for pilot hiring will not materialize and some presently employed pilots will lose their jobs.

For the young, aspiring pilot just starting out, there isn't a lot to lose in. These individuals have a good chance of success if the economic woes are short-lived. In fact, they will be positioned well in the seniority list if the economy can at least sustain the current level of travel. It is always wise to have a backup plan if things don't go well. As I have recommended before in this space, don't choose aviation as the major study area in college. Select a second career choice as the major and seek quality flight training outside the major area of study.

For those contemplating a career change, this is probably not a good time to make a switch unless there is a clear path back to the previous career. The next six months should tell the economic story more clearly.

If you would like to discuss your career goals and possible ways to reach them, please contact me at gene@genebenson.com or click here for a handy, secure comment/inquiry form. If you would just like to chat, call me at 585-392-3068. I do not charge for career advice or for answering a few questions. I do also offer a fee-based training or career mentoring service.

If you are not a rated pilot yet, advice that will always stand is to choose the flight training program wisely. Click here to read the first part of a four-part article on choosing flight training.

Check back often, I'll update this feature as necessary.

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