Pilot Workforce and Training Solutions December 4, 2017

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Isaac Osborne
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1 Pilot Workforce and Training Solutions December 4, 2017

2 INDUSTRY DATA 2

Economic Impact of Civil Aviation In 2014, civil aviation generated $1.6 trillion in economic activity and supported 10.6 million jobs. Civil aviation accounted for 5.1% (846 billion) of the U.S.

3 Economic Impact of Civil Aviation In 2014, civil aviation generated $1.6 trillion in economic activity and supported 10.6 million jobs. Civil aviation accounted for 5.1% (846 billion) of the U.S. gross domestic product in Commercial airline operations enabled $310.0 billion of visitor expenditures on goods and services. Civil aircraft manufacturing continues to be the top net exporter in the U.S. with a positive trade balance of $59.9 billion. * Source: U.S. DOT FAA The Economic Impact of Civil Aviation on the U.S. Economy November 2016

4 Demand for Air Travel is Growing 4

5 Regional Airlines Are Critical Infrastructure Regional Airlines Provide the sole link to Global Air Transportation for Many U.S. Communities. 5

6 Regional Airline Industry is Contracting 6

7 Regional Airline Economic Environment Communities across the country are losing air service during a period of economic recovery. Typically at this point in the cycle, communities would gain frequency and options. However: A growing pilot shortage has left airlines with insufficient pilots to serve all existing routes. Airlines have been forced to reduce frequency and connectivity and in some cases have had to exit markets. Heaviest impact falling on small and rural communities.

8 PILOT SUPPLY DATA 8

9 Dramatically Fewer Pilots 9

10 Unprecedented Attrition 10

Cumulative Shortages Predicted (Analysis does not include regional airline staffing needs) = 300 parked aircraft Includes new pilots entering the

11 Cumulative Shortages Predicted (Analysis does not include regional airline staffing needs) = 300 parked aircraft Includes new pilots entering the workforce; Reflects only the major airline cumulative shortage = 1,400 parked aircraft Source: University of North Dakota Pilot Supply Forecast 2016

12 AIR SERVICE DATA 12

Communities Losing Air Service Since 2013 Reduction of 10% or more (256 airports) Reduction of 20% or more (174 airports) Reduction of 33% or more (107 airports) Reduction of 50% or more (65

13 Communities Losing Air Service Since 2013 Reduction of 10% or more (256 airports) Reduction of 20% or more (174 airports) Reduction of 33% or more (107 airports) Reduction of 50% or more (65 airports) Reduction of 75% or more (26 airports) Lost all service (20 airports) Source: RAA analysis of OAG schedules via PlaneStats online portal; Airports had scheduled passenger air service (departures) in 2013 and had reduction in

14 Without Access to Reliable and Adequate Air Service: Communities struggle to attract and retain businesses. Communities lose essential service providers, including medical professionals. Communities experience diminished economic viability. 14

15 Far-Reaching Economic Consequences 1.1 M $ $36.1 B $121.5 B In 2015, the economic impact of air service to small and non-hub airports alone in the contiguious 48 states was conservatively estimated at $121B supporting over 1.1m jobs Source: InterVistas,

Besides 20,000 pilots (not all actively flying), regional airlines employ: 10,000

16 Far-Reaching Potential Direct Job Losses When aircraft are parked without pilots, the impact is widespread and complex. RAA airline members employ more than 59,000 people. Besides 20,000 pilots (not all actively flying), regional airlines employ: 10,000 support staff 1,000 flight control 8,000 mechanics 15,000 flight attendants 5,000 customer service 16

17 U.S. Military Facing a Pilot Shortage The pilot shortage is a shared problem.

18 U.S. Military Discusses Pilot Shortage Gen. David Goldfein, U.S. Air Force Chief of Staff This is a supply-demand mismatch The nation as a whole is producing less pilots than we need in order to service commercial, business and military aviation. I m the lead advocate as the airman on the Joint Chiefs of Staff, because we re all affected by this but we have to look nationally at incentives to increase the supply. Pilots are strategic national assets and the pilot crisis extends beyond the Air Force and military. It is a national problem which requires senior-level attention in Congress, the Commercial Industry, and the DoD Today the Air Force has a rated manpower shortfall of approximately 1,550 pilots across the Total Force. Lt. Gen. Mark C. Nowland, USAF Deputy Chief of Staff (Operations) Senate Armed Services Committee March 29, 2017 The Air Force faces an ongoing pilot shortage. This is not the first time the Air Force has been in this position, and as long as there is a market for highlytrained, professional, disciplined Airmen it will not be the last. Gen. Carlton Everhart II, U.S. Air Force Commander, Air Mobility Command

19 PILOT PAY DATA 19

Pilot Compensation RAA member airlines pay first year, First Officers an average total compensation of $57,316.

20 Pilot Compensation RAA member airlines pay first year, First Officers an average total compensation of $57, % of RAA member airlines (by fleet) pay first year, First Officers an average compensation of $60,110. Compensation includes minimum base pay, bonus, & tuition reimbursements only; does not include per-diem, commuter support, retirement, health, or other benefits. The Bureau of Labor and Statistics (BLS) reported 2016 median annual wage for all U.S. occupations at all levels was $37,040.

21 Pilot Compensation A pilot s ROI is better than these high-prestige fields. For every $1 invested in education: doctors earn $19 lawyers earn $30 pilots earn $33 Source: Brown Aviation Lease

Recruiting Success Falling Despite Investments RAA member airline first year, First Officer average compensation rose more than 150 percent between

22 Recruiting Success Falling Despite Investments RAA member airline first year, First Officer average compensation rose more than 150 percent between 2015 and today. Overall recruiting success declined during the same period. Higher pay has not resolved the pilot shortage; broader solutions are needed.

23 Regional Airlines are Investing in Pilots Significant salary investments, starting year one. Collegiate and training institution partnerships focused on career opportunities; preferred hiring agreements. Internship, cadet, and leadership development programs. Tuition reimbursement agreements. Flow programs with major airlines to support career stability. Congress should allow airlines to offer another source of support to pilots: airline-funded, safety enhancing structured training pathways. 23

24 POLICY & THE PILOT SHORTAGE 24

The Pilot Shortage + Policy = Crisis A 2013 Federal regulation (First

constrained supply further by elongating the pathway and driving up

Pilots graduate training with around 250 hours.

25 The Pilot Shortage + Policy = Crisis A 2013 Federal regulation (First Officer Qualifications) intended to increase pilot experience constrained supply further by elongating the pathway and driving up the cost of becoming a pilot. Pilots graduate training with around 250 hours. On average, it takes approximately two more years for student pilots to earn the additional time required to reach 1,500 hours. 1,

26 FOQ and Pilot Supply The 2013 FOQ rule change created a new barrier of career entry by making it more expensive and burdensome to go through a part 141 or part 61 pathway to become a pilot - effectively limiting the pilot career path to wealthy students. The FOQ rule also presented a new barrier to aviation university graduates, who must spend additional time accumulating flight hours after graduation and before hiring eligibility. A 2015 UND / University of Nebraska Omaha Pilot Careers Aspiration Study found more than 1/3 of aspiring aviators in flight training environments had been discouraged or decided against becoming a commercial pilot because of the rule. Many considered relocating overseas for earlier career start.

Becoming a Pilot is Prohibitively Expensive The added cost of getting those hours boosted the price tag for becoming a commercial airline pilot to about $200,000.

27 Becoming a Pilot is Prohibitively Expensive The added cost of getting those hours boosted the price tag for becoming a commercial airline pilot to about $200,000. Most of these costs, such as flight training or gaining additional hours in flight, are not covered by student loans. It is becoming financially impossible for all but the wealthiest students to become pilots. 27

The Additional Training Myth There is a misconception that pilots spend these two years gaining additional training. This is incorrect. Pilots do not receive any additional training during this time.

28 The Additional Training Myth There is a misconception that pilots spend these two years gaining additional training. This is incorrect. Pilots do not receive any additional training during this time. Very few commercial flying opportunities exist to allow meaningful experience. Typically, pilots accumulate hours in two ways: they pay out of pocket for recreational flying, or they do any flying they can, like flight instruction, banner towing, and crop dusting. T These operations take place in fair weather, in aircraft that bear no resemblance to today s modern commercial airliner. 28

jets used by today s regional airlines and without supervised

29 The Additional Training Myth After spending two years flying aircraft that bear no resemblance to the technologically advanced jets used by today s regional airlines and without supervised training, pilots are expected to succeed in commercial airline training.

Pilot Source Study 2015 An independent study of 7000 pilot training records, conducted by six of the most trusted aviation universities in the country, showed the opposite: Pilots hired after the

30 Pilot Source Study 2015 An independent study of 7000 pilot training records, conducted by six of the most trusted aviation universities in the country, showed the opposite: Pilots hired after the rule required more extra training and failed to complete training than before the rule. Pilots with lower hours in flight performed better than pilots with higher hours in flight. Longer times between graduation date and airline hire corresponded to decreased training performance. R-ATP pilots (pilots with structured training credit toward flight hours) had the best outcomes. 30

Military and Academic Institutions are already approved for these R-ATP Pathways Regional airlines have

31 Structured Training Pathways Congress has already authorized Alternate (R-ATP) Pathways that eliminate some unsupervised flight hours in favor of additional structured training. Military and Academic Institutions are already approved for these R-ATP Pathways Regional airlines have proposed additional training pathways, which would be paid by airlines and certified by the FAA as achieving a higher level of safety than flight time alone. 31

Airline-Sponsored Structured Training Pathways Bridge gap between pilot training and qualification, providing additional structured training before a pilot is released to line flying.

32 Airline-Sponsored Structured Training Pathways Bridge gap between pilot training and qualification, providing additional structured training before a pilot is released to line flying. Incorporate rigorous screening, testing, academics, checks, audits & more. Use high-quality simulators to prepare pilots for scenarios they don t encounter when building flight hours in fair weather, like icing on the wing, or losing an engine. The FAA would approve programs line-by-line, to ensure they enhance safety. 32

33 WASHINGTON S ROLE IN RECOVERY 33

34 Requested Actions for Policymakers Encourage FAA to recognize that academic training courses offered by various providers including certificated air carriers, can meet the requirements of the statute where crediting completion of these courses toward a R-ATP certificate enhances safety. Encourage FAA to evaluate aviation safety programs on science, empirical evidence, and data. Encourage FAA to evaluate new R-ATP pathways and credit for scenario-based and highly structured training methods, such as high-fidelity flight simulators. Open financial avenues to support pilot training: expand student loan coverage to include flight training, establish loan forgiveness programs for pilots; ensure GI bill funding; and create tax incentives encouraging employer based programs.

Legislation Senate Commerce Committee Chairman John Thune (R-SD) included language in the Senate FAA Reauthorization that affirms and expands FAA s authority to approve additional structured training

35 Legislation Senate Commerce Committee Chairman John Thune (R-SD) included language in the Senate FAA Reauthorization that affirms and expands FAA s authority to approve additional structured training pathways. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) has threatened to filibuster FAA reauthorization over the pathway language. This safety-enhancing solution improves pilot training, allows airlines to invest more to support pilot education, and protects small community air service across the country. 35

36 All comments in this deck are attributable to: Faye Malarkey Black President, Regional Airline Association

Regional Airline Service Update. South Dakota Airport Management Association Annual Meeting Sioux Falls, SD October 4, 2017

Regional Airline Service Update South Dakota Airport Management Association Annual Meeting Sioux Falls, SD October 4, 2017 Regional Airlines by the Numbers 2 Regional Airlines by the Numbers 3 Regional