Workforce Needs Curtail Growth for Helicopter Industry

Helicopter Association International has released a workforce needs forecast. The trade group concluded that “unless there are some fundamental changes in policy, outreach, scholarships, and access to financing, the helicopter industry faces large-scale deficits in the amount of available and qualified licensed and certificated pilots and mechanics.”
 
While the study projects a shortage of 7,469 helicopter pilots in the U.S. between 2018 and 2036, the deficit is even more concerning for maintenance technicians. The industry is projected to be short 40,613 certificated aviation mechanics by 2036.
 
More than 50 percent of surveyed operators said the shortage will “definitely or probably” interfere with their company’s ability to grow over the next five years.
 
"Our industry needs to take a hard look at how we do things,” says Matt Zuccaro, HAI president and CEO. “We really don’t have a choice. These numbers show a future where the growth of our industry will be curtailed because operators won’t have the workforce they need. But we have the option to change that future by acting proactively now to recruit the next generation of pilots and maintainers.”
 
Study results and an executive summary are available for download. Helicopter Foundation International Vice President Allison McKay will present the report at this month’s ATEC annual conference in Washington DC. Don’t miss it.