Washington, D.C., USA – The National Flight Training Alliance (NFTA) has issued a formal communication to the U.S. Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP), urging the inclusion of key language in the current Senate Reconciliation Bill to expand access to federal financial aid for aspiring airline pilots. The proposed provisions would classify students enrolled in FAA Part 141 flight training programs as professional students—qualifying them for higher federal loan limits. NFTA emphasized that such reforms are essential to addressing the long-term pilot shortage and supporting the economic recovery of air service nationwide.

Key Points:

• NFTA advocates for recognizing students in FAA 14 CFR Part 141 undergraduate flight training programs as professional students in federal education policy.

• The proposed language would allow these students to access loan levels typically available to graduate and professional programs.

• With approximately 50% of commercial pilots expected to retire in the next 15 years, the measure addresses the pilot shortage at a structural level.

• The House has already passed similar provisions with bipartisan support, signaling momentum for education reform tied to workforce needs.

• NFTA calls for these provisions to be incorporated into the Senate’s budget reconciliation process as a long-term investment in aviation infrastructure and workforce development.

Read the full formal letter below:

“The current Senate Reconciliation Bill contains critical provisions designed to support flight training programs, enhance accessibility to the pilot profession, sustain the pilot pipeline, and address the acute shortage of pilots in the United States.

Approximately 50 percent of commercial airline pilots are obligated to retire within the next fifteen years. There is a strong momentum for higher education reform, and the House has already passed the achievable solution with bipartisan support. This ensures that the nation maintains an adequate number of pilots in the long term.

While the aviation industry has dramatically increased salaries for new pilots and pursued targeted strategies to enhance career accessibility, a sustained comprehensive solution is essential for addressing the pilot supply.

Undergraduate flight training uniquely equips students with at least a commercial pilot’s license upon graduation. Graduates subsequently build additional flight hours required for further certifications necessary for commercial airline positions. These undergraduate programs function similarly to professional graduate programs, including their considerable associated costs.

The Act recognizes the distinct nature of flight training programs, enabling students enrolled in certified, high-quality undergraduate programs (14 CFR Part 141) to access loan amounts typically reserved for professional students.

By reclassifying Part 141 program students and acknowledging their capacity to earn competitive wages sufficient for loan repayment, The Act offers a practical solution to bolster the pilot pipeline, restore air service, and support a thriving U.S. economy.

Reducing cost barriers for aspiring pilots is imperative for restoring and improving air service nationwide.

We respectfully urge the Senate’s budget reconciliation process to incorporate provisions to increase the supply of pilots and address this economic imperative. We are committed to working with you creatively to align with the HELP committee’s goals to reform and broaden higher education and formally recognize flight training programs as professional licensure programs.

Language Request:

Define students enrolled in 14 CFR Part 141 undergraduate flight training programs as professional or graduate students:

*(ii) PROFESSIONAL STUDENT – The term ‘professional student means a student enrolled in a program of study that –

(L) awards a professional degree upon completion of the program; or

(Il) provides the training described in part 141 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations (or any successor regulations).”

About the National Flight Training Alliance (NFTA)
The National Flight Training Alliance is a U.S.-based coalition representing FAA-certified flight schools and aviation education stakeholders. NFTA advocates for policies that sustain the national pilot pipeline, improve access to flight training, and support the long-term needs of commercial aviation through legislative and regulatory engagement.

Source: NFTA