Airline industry, aviation academic leaders convene to discuss pilot supply and demand

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Photo of a plane flying in clouds
Aviation industry and academic leaders will convene on The Ohio State University campus in late April for a national summit focused on short- and long-term implications of professional pilot staffing in the United States.

Hosted by Ohio State’s Center for Aviation Studies within the College of Engineering, the National Pilot Supply Summit will take place on April 28 at the Blackwell Hotel and Conference Center.

According to conference partner Regional Airline Association, 498,000 professional pilots will be needed, globally, over the next 20 years. Aviation Week recently reported that approximately 20,000 cockpit seats will need filled over the next seven years due to FAA-mandated age-65 retirements. One conspicuous impact of a pilot shortage is cuts in airline service and available routes. 

Conference organizers expect at least 100 attendees from major and regional airlines, universities and flight schools, aviation associations, the pilot community and government agencies.

“Much has been made in the media recently about the wide reaching effects of a pilot shortage,” said Martin Rottler, summit director and Center for Aviation Studies lecturer. “We have designed the summit to provide key aviation stakeholders the opportunity to join the discussion and develop cohesive next steps to address this relevant and important issue.”

Other conference partners include Ohio State’s Fisher College of Business and John Glenn College of Public Affairs. Presenters confirmed for the summit to date include leaders from The Eno Center for Transportation, the U.S. Government Accountability Office, InterVistas Consulting, United Airlines, Republic Airways, the Air Line Pilots Association, the Regional Airline Association and the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association.

As a result of the day’s discussion, organizers will produce a report as a catalyst for a comprehensive study of sustainable staffing models and the implications of inaction.

For agenda details and registration, visit https://aviation.osu.edu/PilotSupplySummit

Category: College