The Air Force Pilot Shortage

📖 The Scoop

The Air Force is facing a pilot shortage that is unprecedented in its peacetime history. The FY99 shortfall exceeded 1200 pilots, and by FY02 it is projected to grow to about 2000 pilots, almost 15 percent of the total requirement. Unprecedented losses are occurring for pilots reaching the end of their initial active duty service commitment as well as for pilots who complete bonus-related obligations. Since FY97, three pilots have left active duty for every two new pilots the Air Force has trained. Half of the shortfall occurs in fighters, which has implications for combat capability and operational readiness. Operational units (i.e., those with combat responsibilities) are the only assignment options for newly trained pilots while they mature and develop their mission knowledge. Thus, these units require enough experienced pilots (those who have completed at least one operational tour in the mission aircraft) to supervise the development (or "aging") of the new pilots. As the proportion of experienced pilots in a unit drops, each one must fly more to provide essential supervision to an increasing number of new pilots. When the unit's flying capacity remains fixed, new pilots must each fly less, extending the time needed to become experienced themselves. This report, dealing with operational fighter units, quantifies these experience problems and examines options that can alleviate them. The options include Total Force alternatives, such as associate programs in active units and "aging" active pilots in Guard and Reserve units. Advantages and pitfalls are described for each option.

Genre: History / Military / United States (fancy, right?)