It’s a phrase that’s everywhere at the moment: the pilot shortage. The huge numbers predicted by Boeing and Airbus – both manufacturing giants have forecasted the need for as many as 617,000 new pilots by 2035 – have been shared far and wide, with many outlets proclaiming that now is ‘a great time to become a pilot.’

But what’s the truth behind these numbers?
For those saying the pilot shortage is a big, fat myth, the numbers can’t be argued with: economies are growing, airline fleet numbers are expanding as never before, and over the next 20 years, projections show that, at the current rate of pilots entering the profession, there won’t be enough pilots to fly them.

However, once we break the numbers down, it’s not such a straightforward story.

Regional challenges
As can be seen from Boeing’s outlook, the overwhelming need for pilots will be seen in the Asia Pacific Region. With soaring demand for aircraft in Asia, the carriers are recruiting for experienced pilots from Europe and the US. However, it is the captains, who can train their first officers, they are after, rather than freshly-qualified, low-hour cadets or qualified pilots without hours on type.

Source: Pilot Career News