Expert: D. Norkus - 8/14/2010

Question
Helo my name is davel lopez and i what to
ask you a fill question about  if you can about
air pilot my frist question is
?How does career look like for fature pilot?

?What are the potential hirings for pilot in the
future?

And for last what percentage of pilot are
retining in the upcoming years?

     I hope that you please anwer all my
queasion  and i hope to hear about you
zoom  

Answer
How does [this] career look for [future] pilots?

Based on projected aircraft deliveries and growth over the next 20 years, the careers look very good for increased numbers of pilots to be hired in the coming decades. Of course and economic recessions will have an effect on the total amount, but in general it is expected that the number of pilots needed will rise.

What [is] the potential for [pilot hiring] in the future?

There will be increased hiring after 2013 when the Age 65 retirement rule comes into effect causing many mandatory retirements. So, there is good potential for another hiring wave starting in about two years. How much hiring will depend on the airlines expansion plans, attrition numbers and the economy at the time.

What percentage of pilots are [retiring] in the upcoming years?

The percentage of the total pilot population that will be retiring depends on each airline, how old their pilot group is and their total number of pilots. For example, American Airlines projected retirement starting in late 2013-2015 of their approx 8,700 active pilots is 300-400 per year based on age 65, plus some may leave early due to other factors. To know a percentage of the total, you must know the retirements at each airline across the industry and those are figures I do not have. I'd figure 300 annually per major airline starting in 2014 as a starting point guesstimate based on the low end retirement numbers at American (other airlines have a younger pilot group, so their numbers will be less).

For more career information, visit http://www.pilotcareer.info

Regards,
Dottie