Like NBAA, the Regional Airliners Push for Pilot Production Too

The Regional Airline Association (RAA) attended the U.S. House Committee on Transportation & Infrastructure's hearing for the Subcommittee on Aviation to present thinkpiece called “Eliminating Bottlenecks: Examining Opportunities to Recruit, Retain, and Engage Aviation Talent.”

It's telling that after months of wrangling with the legislation, the aerospace industry is returning back to focusing on the future of staffing. Things have been hectic at the majors lately, with contracts passed and legacies appearing to slurp up every last captain and first officer the regionals had on payroll. That hiring boom has mostly calmed down, but the memory remains among ops personnel the industry over: It's not fun having to endure a Black Friday level of chaos when shopping for new hires. The RAA submitted their written statement about the industry, mostly focusing on the provisions they most want to see implemented quickly from the recent FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024.
 
With things calmed down on the hiring front, the RAA cautioned against 'mistaking short term supply chain disruptions for a resolution of the pilot shortage,' urging continued and sustained support for initiatives that will create more future pilots. 

In some ways, Boeing's problems have given the industry at large a brief respite, allowing them to take a breath as they await new aircraft deliveries.

RAA President and CEO, Faye Malarkey Black stated, “Just as hiring paused during the COVID-19 pandemic onset but roared back with the return of demand, any amelioration in the pilot shortage we see today will rapidly reverse when larger aircraft deliveries resume. The long-term health of the regional airline industry and small community air service depends on our ability to address workforce shortages and ensure the next generation of aviation professionals is well-trained. We applaud Congress for its efforts and look forward to continued collaboration.”

FMI: www.raa.org