NATA and NBAA Address Business Aviation Workforce Challenges at Congressional Hearing

The House Small Business Committee’s Subcommittee on Contracting and Workforce convened a hearing with industry stakeholders to examine the pilot and mechanic shortage and its impacts on small businesses. 

In a letter submitted for the record, National Air Transportation Association (NATA) President Gary Dempsey praised the subcommittee for bringing this important issue to light in a time where the decline of pilots and mechanics can be felt across the industry. “Aviation businesses are continuously seeking to hire skilled pilots and mechanics, however the gap between supply and demand is increasing and small aviation businesses are finding fewer opportunities to support the activity needed to maintain business,” stated Dempsey. He noted that this shortage is putting a strain on aviation businesses that support the 1.2 million general aviation jobs and that most of them are small businesses.

In written testimony before the "Troubled Skies: The Aviation Workforce Shortage's Impact on Small Businesses" hearing, NBAA pointed to a recent Boeing study that concluded nearly 100,000 pilots will be needed in business aviation in the next 20 years. The association also cited efforts to address workforce shortages within business aviation, including development of the NBAA Mentoring Network to help business aviation professionals grow in their roles and within the industry.

The association's testimony also noted the prohibitively high cost for flight training through collegiate programs – ranging from $51,000 to $81,000, on top of tuition costs – and suggested extending federal financial aid guidelines to cover training through non-collegiate flight schools and other programs. "This is an area where the subcommittee might want to consider additional research or hearings to identify solutions to student financing challenges at the many flight schools that are small businesses," NBAA stated.

NBAA also emphasized its support for pending legislation addressing these hiring needs, including the Securing and Revitalizing Aviation (SARA) Act of 2018, which would provide grants to support aviation education and development of aviation curricula at high schools to encourage students to pursue pilot careers. A second bill, H.R. 5701, would provide grants to support programs that teach technical skills used in aviation maintenance. Both proposals are also included in the FAA reauthorization bill currently being considered by Congress. 

The subcommittee heard testimony from the Aeronautical Repair Station (ARSA), Eastern Iowa Airport, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, and CI Jets. For more information about the hearing and to read witness testimony and other documents, visit the House Small Business Committee website.