The Airline Pilot Shortage A threat to rural economic development Mike Hainsey, A.A.E. Executive Director Golden Triangle Regional Airport

29,000 26,000 A TEST!

3,000 15,000 A TEST!

22,000 60,000 A TEST!

95 65 44 A TEST!

There are not enough pilots to meet current and future airline requirements Airlines continue to reduce the number of flights to airports, starting with the regional aircraft Rural states are affected the most End result—loss or reduction of air service to key Southern markets reducing economic viability of those communities The Problem

The Details Airlines are 15,000 pilots short over the next 10 years Mandatory Retirements New FAA rules There are not enough pilots in the pipeline to meet those requirements Cost of training Lifestyle/job benefits The Details

The Details Pilot supply/demand Mandatory retirement at 65 years 26,000 pilots in next 10 years Other attrition Over 29,000 pilots required through 2026 The Details

The Details New FAA rule Aviation university waiver Moves minimum airline copilot hours from 250 to 1,500 Increases time to qualification by 2-3 years Allows for lower time (1,000 hours) for graduates of certain aviation universities Aviation university waiver 81 universities 40 states The Details

Connectivity to the global transportation network is required for the economic viability of a community As pilot shortage worsens, airlines will continue to cut flights Impact already being felt Affects all commercial service airports in the state Some communities will not recover Impact

Impact Examples Raytheon would not be in Meridian without air service Hawker Beech did not choose GTR because of amount of air service Loss of Southwest in Jackson possibly impacting perception Impact

Impact Economic Impact Commercial service airports in Mississippi have a $2 billion and 16,000 jobs economic impact Without viable air service that impact is adversely impacted At smaller communities the reliance on air service is more critical Impact

Should focus on the ultimate goal—increase the number of pilots available to work in the airline industry Would focus on increasing those in the pipeline Could offer financial incentives to defray the cost of pilot training Solutions

ATP CFI FINAL EXAM

Congressional District Vulnerability Indicator State of Mississippi Non-Hub Airport Vulnerability by Congressional District Congressional District Vulnerability Indicator Airport Name/Code MS 1 Tupelo (TUP) Columbus (GTR) MS 2 Greenville, MS (GLH) Tunica (UTM) MS 3 Meridian (MEI) MS 4 Gulfport/Biloxi (GPT) Laurel (PIB) MS 1