Building The Ranks Of GA Pilots Through New Starts Is Important, But Let’s Not Forget All Those Inactive Pilots That Need A Fresh Start

We in general aviation commonly lament that there are not enough new pilots joining the ranks, and that is a fact that is hard to deny. However, the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) thinks we may be missing out on a different opportunity to populate our ranks. AOPA acknowledges the importance of new pilots, but they also stress the importance recouping pilots that have dropped out.

It’s called the Rusty Pilots program and it’s aimed at bringing pilots back into the fold who have stopped flying. On the AOPA website they say that there’s an adage in business that it’s much easier to keep a customer you’ve already got, than it is to acquire a new one. This is especially true in aviation where the barrier to entry is high, and only one in five students complete pilot training.

The Rusty Pilots program is designed around a series of seminars presented for the purpose of helping noncurrent pilots get back into the system. The Rusty Pilots program is free and accounts for the FAA required ground raining potion of a flight review.

AOPA says rusty pilots come in all varieties. Some have lapsed their three month recency, others have lapsed three years…or even more. Regardless of the level of retrogression, AOPA makes the case that the Rusty Pilots program will sharpen their aviation knowledge and introduce modern topics. Even more important, it brings the rusty pilot back into the camaraderie and support provided by participating in a group program.

The Rusty Pilots program was designed to address recent changes in the world of flying. Regulatory discussions include light sport aircraft, medical requirements, airspace, and common regulations. Weather includes TAFS, METARS, internet briefing, and FSS/ Flight Watch. Operation discussions include traffic patterns, communications, incursion avoidance, and pilot responsibilities.

In order for this program to work, the rusty pilots have to know that it exists, and that’s where active pilots come into the picture. When we run across someone that expresses an interest to get back into flying, we need to tell them this program exists and help facilitate their participation in it.

With the combination of mentoring and AOPA’s Rusty Pilots program we may be able to build the ranks from already certificated pilots as well as starting from the bottom.

(Rusty Pilots logo from AOPA website)

FMI: www.aopa.org