Oil + Low Wages + Pilot Shortage
03-09-2008, 07:08 AM
#1
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Joined APC: May 2005
Position: Corporate Pilot
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Oil + Low Wages + Pilot Shortage
A few weeks ago I attended an aviation conference. Most places were disparate to hire instructors and other line pilots but also they mentioned that student starts were still recovering from 911.
It seems to me that any effects that 911 could have on the current training market must be gone by now. My guess is that low regional wages and high costs of training are behind the continued drop in students.
In my home town the local flight school claims that an average price to reach COM-MEL and CFI is around 80K currently. If oil continues to move up it the price of training could top 100K by the fall.
My guess is that this could lead to a real shortage of pilots. If avgas were to reach $12 a gallon we all might be worth something one day.
SkyHigh
It seems to me that any effects that 911 could have on the current training market must be gone by now. My guess is that low regional wages and high costs of training are behind the continued drop in students.
In my home town the local flight school claims that an average price to reach COM-MEL and CFI is around 80K currently. If oil continues to move up it the price of training could top 100K by the fall.
My guess is that this could lead to a real shortage of pilots. If avgas were to reach $12 a gallon we all might be worth something one day.
SkyHigh
03-09-2008, 01:42 PM
#2
Flying Farmer
Joined APC: Jul 2006
Position: Turbo-props' and John Deere's
Posts: 3,160
I'm just trying to figure out how a small FBO can figure $80k for all those ratings, seems a little high.
One of the problems of the training world, is everyone wants all the nice shiny glass panels and new airplanes. People could cut their training cost significantly!!!
One of the problems of the training world, is everyone wants all the nice shiny glass panels and new airplanes. People could cut their training cost significantly!!!
03-09-2008, 04:33 PM
#3
Banned
Joined APC: Feb 2007
Posts: 461
Originally Posted by SkyHigh
A few weeks ago I attended an aviation conference. Most places were disparate to hire instructors and other line pilots but also they mentioned that student starts were still recovering from 911.
It seems to me that any effects that 911 could have on the current training market must be gone by now. My guess is that low regional wages and high costs of training are behind the continued drop in students.
In my home town the local flight school claims that an average price to reach COM-MEL and CFI is around 80K currently. If oil continues to move up it the price of training could top 100K by the fall.
My guess is that this could lead to a real shortage of pilots. If avgas were to reach $12 a gallon we all might be worth something one day.
SkyHigh
It seems to me that any effects that 911 could have on the current training market must be gone by now. My guess is that low regional wages and high costs of training are behind the continued drop in students.
In my home town the local flight school claims that an average price to reach COM-MEL and CFI is around 80K currently. If oil continues to move up it the price of training could top 100K by the fall.
My guess is that this could lead to a real shortage of pilots. If avgas were to reach $12 a gallon we all might be worth something one day.
SkyHigh
instead of flow through time builders.
CE
03-10-2008, 03:26 AM
#4
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Joined APC: May 2006
Position: ATP, CFI etc.
Posts: 6,056
Regionals are having some trouble getting pilots at the wages they are used to. But FAA statistics on the number of certificates currently held by pilots, and statistics on how many pilots are employed by airlines in the US are both pretty constant over the last ten years. This may have changed in 2007. Oil prices affect flight training output but it will also affect ticket prices and reduce the demand for pilots. It's hard to say which will be affected more.
FAA statistics
Bureau of Transportation statistics
FAA statistics
Bureau of Transportation statistics
Last edited by Cubdriver; 03-10-2008 at 07:07 PM.
03-10-2008, 07:46 AM
#5
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Jan 2006
Position: Math Teacher
Posts: 2,273
Originally Posted by Ewfflyer
I'm just trying to figure out how a small FBO can figure $80k for all those ratings, seems a little high.
One of the problems of the training world, is everyone wants all the nice shiny glass panels and new airplanes. People could cut their training cost significantly!!!
One of the problems of the training world, is everyone wants all the nice shiny glass panels and new airplanes. People could cut their training cost significantly!!!
atp
03-12-2008, 05:15 AM
#7
Retired
Joined APC: Feb 2008
Position: whale wrangler
Posts: 3,527
Originally Posted by Ewfflyer
I'm just trying to figure out how a small FBO can figure $80k for all those ratings, seems a little high.
One of the problems of the training world, is everyone wants all the nice shiny glass panels and new airplanes. People could cut their training cost significantly!!!
One of the problems of the training world, is everyone wants all the nice shiny glass panels and new airplanes. People could cut their training cost significantly!!!
03-12-2008, 06:09 AM
#8
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Jun 2006
Posts: 903
Part of the problem is hitting my previous school.
We did a lot of career training, prices ranged from 30-60k by the time I left. Well guess what. This whole credit crunch is putting a real damper on student loans, and as such, not enough people are able to make a career change, or do these ratings without paying for a good portion of it through actual cash.
When I started my career change almost a year ago, SLM only approved me for 20k (thank goodness they didn't approve my original request for 40k), and I ended up having 18k of cash so it all worked out in the end.
I can't imagine how some of these kids have 80-100k debt just for flight training (not including a college education). Just amazing.
We did a lot of career training, prices ranged from 30-60k by the time I left. Well guess what. This whole credit crunch is putting a real damper on student loans, and as such, not enough people are able to make a career change, or do these ratings without paying for a good portion of it through actual cash.
When I started my career change almost a year ago, SLM only approved me for 20k (thank goodness they didn't approve my original request for 40k), and I ended up having 18k of cash so it all worked out in the end.
I can't imagine how some of these kids have 80-100k debt just for flight training (not including a college education). Just amazing.
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