"Given the consistent loss of pilot population, we're all flying bad investments, more or less.
Me? I don't care. I wanted to be here my whole life." Dan Horton[
This shocked me some so I did some research. yes, it has declined drastically but that IMO is not the entire story. I think that three major factors play out to create this situation. First is the huge number of pilots trained during the war years that have died. Second is the war on the pilots by the major airlines that started in the 1980's. Third is the change after the Colgan crash that required both seats to have 1500 hrs.
What I found refreshing was to see the increase in student pilots and CFIs. Also, if you look at active pilots, those with medicals, the numbers are pretty consistent from 1990 on. They still show a decrease after airline jobs lost their luster but the past year has shown an increase.
I don't think the future for GA is getting dimmer and I think the newer LSA rules are a bright spot.
Me? I don't care. I wanted to be here my whole life." Dan Horton[
This shocked me some so I did some research. yes, it has declined drastically but that IMO is not the entire story. I think that three major factors play out to create this situation. First is the huge number of pilots trained during the war years that have died. Second is the war on the pilots by the major airlines that started in the 1980's. Third is the change after the Colgan crash that required both seats to have 1500 hrs.
What I found refreshing was to see the increase in student pilots and CFIs. Also, if you look at active pilots, those with medicals, the numbers are pretty consistent from 1990 on. They still show a decrease after airline jobs lost their luster but the past year has shown an increase.
I don't think the future for GA is getting dimmer and I think the newer LSA rules are a bright spot.