President's Position: Bit by the bug

Sports such as golf and adventurous activities like skiing and sailing are also in somewhat of a rut. And while I don’t have all the answers as to why the greens are vacant and the lifts are empty, I believe we can each make small yet significant changes to turn things around—at least when it comes to the cockpit.

Boeing’s pilot and technician outlook shows a need for 804,000 new civil pilots, 769,000 new maintenance technicians, and more than 900,000 new cabin crew to maintain and fly the world’s fleet of aircraft over the next 20 years. Combine that with the several thousand pilots who are hitting retirement age, and we’ve either got ourselves a perfect storm or a huge opportunity.

One of the daunting challenges of attracting more pilots is competing with daily life in the twenty-first century. Digital screens have consumed our lives, with fewer and fewer people turning to hobbies. Our entertainment no longer consists of doing something, but rather, watching something. As pilots and those who want to see our industry thrive, it’s time we shed some light on the fun and opportunities that exist in our community.

Many YouTube stars and aviation influencers are already doing a great job of that. Visually stunning drone shots of backcountry flying have captured a whole new audience of young aviators—as have short takeoff and landing (STOL) competitions. Airshows and fly-ins have also made it easier for us to connect with likeminded aviators. Bringing back excitement for aviation is one of the keys to ensuring its vitality.

It’s nearly impossible not to have a smile on your face watching the behemoth Draco perform against the backdrop of the Sierra Nevada.AOPA’s Livermore Fly-In was the perfect example of how pilots can bring nonpilots into our world. A crowd of nearly 10,000 flocked to the local airport, many of whom had probably never set foot on a ramp before. And pilot or not, everyone enjoyed watching the ultimate bush plane Draco compete in a STOL invitational. It’s nearly impossible not to have a smile on your face watching that behemoth of an aircraft perform against the backdrop of the Sierra Nevada.

Many might argue that the reason for the decline in these types of activities is cost. And although it’s true that aviation will never be cheap—and never has been cheap—there are ways for pilots to cut the costs, and for nonaviators to join our ranks.

Flight training scholarships are one way to achieve this dream. The AOPA You Can Fly initiative was pleased this year to administer a scholarship program for the James Ray Foundation, providing some $1 million for 100 scholarships for students and teachers The Ray Foundation grant gives high school students and teachers the resources they need to be successful. Many of the students enrolled in the program do not come from aviation backgrounds, allowing us to reach new audiences and leading to a more diverse pilot community.

AOPA also works with flight schools around the country to ensure that students are getting the most out of their flight training dollar. Our annual Flight Training Experience Survey recognizes flight training providers who personify leadership, passion, and dedication within the industry while also helping flight schools create an optimal flight training experience through a combination of technology and training.

Flying clubs are another great way to share the cost of ownership and find some wonderful camaraderie as well. AOPA has a cadre of resources for flying clubs and has helped to start 117 new clubs in the past few years.

We need to continue growing the pilot community so we can rely on the next generation to promote, advocate for, and fly the newest machines being introduced in our world. Vertical takeoff and landing aircraft, supersonic travel, and an exciting world of technology are just getting started. Sure, people were fascinated with flight a hundred years ago, but I’m sure they are just as fascinated with it today. So before gassing up for Sunday’s afternoon flight, invite a friend—after all, one bite is all it takes.

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