Shortage of New Aircraft Maintenance Technicians to Reach 25,000 by 2028

Barriers in the U.S. aviation technician workforce pipeline are slowly being removed, but the projected growth rate of certified mechanics remains insufficient to meet demand, a new joint report from Aviation Technical Education Council (ATEC) and Oliver Wyman concludes.

The 2024 edition of the Pipeline Report, produced annually by ATEC and Oliver Wyman to spotlight U.S. airframe and powerplant (A&P) mechanic workforce trends, highlights several encouraging developments. Among them: new mechanic certificates jumped 32% in 2023, enrollment at aviation maintenance technician schools (AMTS) was up 6%, and the military pathway for new mechanic certifications continued its strong, annual double-digit growth pattern, as 32% more veterans obtained FAA A&P certification compared to 2022.

Despite these tailwinds, the influx of new mechanics will be insufficient to meet commercial aviation’s projected needs amid rising demand for air travel for the next decade. The current shortage is estimated at 9% and will reach nearly 20%–equivalent to about 25,000 certificated mechanics–by 2028, the report finds.

Add in demand for non-airline sectors, including business aviation and the emerging urban air mobility segment, and the shortfall becomes even larger.

We are seeing some positive changes in the aviation technician workforce pipeline,” Executive Director Crystal Maguire said. “But the pace of retirements combined with aviation’s projected growth means demand continues to outpace supply. ATEC is focused on tapping promising resources for new A&P candidates, including our veterans and under-represented populations. We also continue to work tirelessly to remove hurdles in the pathway, such as a lack of instructors and examiners.

Among the areas ripe with opportunity: AMTS enrollment is rising, but schools report an average capacity of just 65%. Filling the rest requires a combination of increasing awareness through local and national programs, and adding more resources such as instructors and training tools.

Increasing the number of veterans pursuing their A&Ps will be one of ATEC’s priorities in the coming years. Last year, about 1,500 veterans with aviation maintenance experience earned their certificates. But ATEC estimates that about 22,000 service members with aviation maintenance backgrounds leave the military each year. Closing that gap will help the industry meet rising demand for well-trained technical professionals.

The FAA has pledged to increase designated mechanic examiner (DME) availability by incorporating DMEs into the Organization Designation Authorization (ODA) program. An ATEC priority, ODA DMEs may be available as soon as next year.

Among the 2024 Pipeline Report’s key takeaways:

  • A three-year period of A&P candidates deferring their goal of becoming certificated ended in 2023, as new mechanic certificates shot up 32%, totaling a record 9,400. This surge can be attributed to several factors, including an end (and apparent reversal) of deferrals, the development of new work-based certification pathway programs, a rise in student certifications in A&P programs, and increased enrollment.
  • Despite the uptick in 2023, the current retirement bubble means the influx of new mechanics will be insufficient to meet replacement needs for the next decade. The current shortage is estimated at 9%, and will reach nearly 20%, equivalent to about 25,000 certificated mechanics, by 2028.
  • A lack of resources is constraining AMTS throughput. Many schools report maximum practical capacities that are below their allowable capacities due to shortages of instructors, facility space, or other resources. Designated Mechanic Examiner (DME) shortages are another key constraint. ATEC estimates that the industry needs 30% more DMEs just to account for the current flow of graduates.
  • The percentage of women among newly certificated A&P mechanics is rising, but slowly. Women make up just 2.8% of the mechanic population, up from 2.2% a decade ago. Rates in the pipeline are slightly better: 6.7% of new AMTS-sourced certificated mechanics are women, compared to 4% of those sourced from military or civilian experience.
  • The AMTS student load factor, which measures the ratio of available A&P program seats to enrolled students, has improved to 65%. Nationally, there are an estimated 12,000 seats available within the A&P school network. Despite commendable efforts and initiatives that boosted AMTS enrollments by 5% last year, one in every three available seats remains unfilled.

Viet the full report here.

Source: ATEC

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US Association AOPA Announces 2025 Appointment for President and Chief Executive Officer

United States based Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) has named Darren Pleasance to serve as the association’s sixth president and chief executive. Pleasance, who will assume his new role at AOPA on January 1, brings a wealth of aviation and business experience.

“I’m honored with the opportunity I’m being given to help steward AOPA forward into the future, and I’m inspired by the role AOPA will continue to play in protecting our freedom to fly,” said Pleasance, whose aviation journey began when he was just a teenager, first when he got involved in flying model aircraft and later doing chores around the airport in exchange for flying lessons.

Pleasance has gone on to fly over 8,000 hours in more than 50 different types of aircraft—ranging from simple trainers to business jets to vintage warbirds, including a North American P–51 Mustang. Early in his career he flew as a corporate pilot, working for celebrities such as John Travolta before going on to fly charters in the Alaskan bush. He left professional aviation to pursue a career in business, but he never stopped flying. Today he owns and operates a Piper Meridian, a Van’s Aircraft RV–6, and a Progressive Aerodyne SeaRey amphibious airplane while maintaining currency as a certificated flight instructor.

Most recently, Pleasance led Cisco Systems Inc.’s Acceleration Center, an organization formed to accelerate the success of mission-critical aspects of Cisco’s business transformation. Prior to joining Cisco, he led global customer acquisitions for Google and served as a partner in consulting firm McKinsey & Company’s high tech sector and marketing and sales practice. Throughout his business career, Pleasance has remained active in aviation, serving for many years on the board of the Experimental Aircraft Association.

Pleasance often cites aviation as a source of inspiration and joy. Recognizing that many of the successful and wealthy people he has known and worked with were unhappy, Pleasance authored a well-regarded book, True North: A Handbook for Inspired Living, which leads readers through a practical guide to finding fulfillment.

Pleasance succeeds Mark Baker, who has served more than 11 years in the top spot at AOPA. Baker announced his intention to retire earlier this year, but committed to remain in the job and assist in the search until the right leader could be found.

“I’m confident that Darren is the right person to lead AOPA into its next chapter,” said Baker. “He is a pilot’s pilot with a genuine passion for flying. He combines that excitement about aviation with leadership experience at some of this country’s top consulting and tech firms, giving him the right balance of business skills and kinship with our members.”

AOPA’s Board of Trustees conducted a wide-ranging search to find the right leader for the organization.

“We could not be more gratified about Darren taking the left seat at AOPA,” said Bill Trimble, chairman of the Board. “After completing an extensive national search, we met with many terrific candidates, but all agreed that Darren brings a wealth of experience coupled with a joy of flying that will be critical for leading AOPA’s mission going forward. We are so grateful for Mark’s hard work over the past 11 years and look forward to Darren’s leadership at this important time for General Aviation.”

Pleasance holds a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering degree from the University of California, Santa Barbara, and an MBA from the UCLA Anderson School of Management.

“I’m grateful for the privilege I’m being given to lead this incredible organization that has had such a positive impact on my life and the lives of all of us who love aviation,” said Pleasance.

Pleasance and his wife, Lisa, have two children, a son, Chris, who is an avid outdoorsman, and a daughter, Lauren, who is studying veterinary medicine.

Source: AOPA
Photo Credit: AOPA

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Europe’s Largest Flight Crew and Training Gathering “Pilot Expo” Moves to Brussels in February 2025

Pilot Expo, Europe’s largest flight crew gathering, is set to return in February 2025 with a new location at Brussels Airport (Zaventem). The popular event will continue to provide exciting career and business opportunities for aviation professionals.

  • Pilot Expo 2025 will take place on February 21-22, 2025, offering two days of business and entertainment for flight crew, aviation training professionals and aspiring pilots.
  • The new venue, Brussels Airport, offers improved international accessibility and a larger surrounding population within a three-hour drive radius.
  • Tickets go on sale starting October 1, 2024.

Source: Pilot Expo
Photo Credit: Pilot Expo

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