International Learn to Fly Day is an annual event that was initiated to help reverse the trend that has seen a declining number of licensed pilots in the last couple of decades. It is held on the third Saturday in May, and this year International Learn to Fly Day is going to take place on May 21, 2011. Aviation groups such as the Experimental Aircraft Association EAA), the National Association of Flight Instructors, and the Aircraft Owners and Pilot's Association (AOPA) will team up with flight schools and other aviation related businesses across the country to host a range of activities geared towards helping prospective new pilots take to the air in a flight training program.
Declining Aircraft Pilot Numbers
The long-standing overall decline in licensed pilots is a big problem facing the future of General Aviation. According to the AOPA, 5,358 new Private Pilot certificates were issued in 2010 by the Federal Aviation Administration. That represents an approximate 60% drop in the number of new private pilots who were licensed in 2000. Several factors are responsible for the aviation community’s inability to replace the natural attrition of pilots who stop flying as years pass. Learning to fly takes a lot of time and there is much government regulation to deal with; but it's safe to argue that one of the biggest obstacles facing new pilots is the rising cost of flight lessons.
The amount of money it takes to earn a Private Pilot’s License in the U.S. varies quite a lot depending on where the training is conducted and how fast the student catches on, but most estimates range between $8,000 to $10,000 dollars. It is much higher for someone whose goal it is to fly professionally. As a student progresses through advanced training and ultimately achieves the Airline Transport Pilot rating, he or she is very likely to have $100,000 invested in training. That high cost is especially problematic because, in reaction to the recent financial crisis, U.S. banks are now less disposed to loan money for the pursuit of flight training.
The Economy Needs New Pilots
Fewer pilots mean diminished business for aircraft manufacturers, maintenance facilities, flight schools, aviation publishers, and accessory manufacturers to name just a few examples from the long list of aviation related economic interests. According to the General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA), in 2005 the general aviation industry provided more than 1.25 million jobs and contributed over $253 billion worth of direct economic impact through output and wages. In addition to providing a source of enjoyment for the many people who fly, general aviation is obviously a vital contributor to the U.S. economy.
International Learn to Fly Day is an Idea that Works
The concept of International Learn to Fly Day was made public during the 2009 Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) convention in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. On May 10, 2010 the U.S. House of Representatives added support for the event's "goals and ideals" with passage of the International Learn to Fly Day Resolution. With that action, Congress officially designated the third Saturday of May as International Learn to Fly Day.
The inaugural event was held last year on May 20, 2010, and it was a huge success. According to the EAA, 40,000 people took part in activities at close to 450 locations around the country. Introductory flights, educational sessions, and fly-in breakfasts were among the many happenings staged during last year's event. Participants introduced to aviation during International Learn to Fly Day last year were surveyed by PilotJourney.com, and 64% of those who responded said they planned to get involved in flight training within three months.
Take a Flight
Anyone interested in exploring the challenges and opportunities that come with learning to fly is encouraged to find and take part in an International Learn to Fly Day event. It's a great opportunity to take an introductory flight, and in fact, last year two lucky people came away with the opportunity for a lot more time in the air. Anyone who visited one of Cessna Aircraft' Company's domestic Cessna Pilot Centers (CPC) during the International Learn to Fly Day activities was able to enter their name in a drawing to win flight training scholarships. The top prize was $10,000 worth of flight training, and second place was $5,000 to be used for the same purpose.
It is easy to get involved as a volunteer by helping to stage an event, or as someone new to aviation who just wants to see what it's all about. Either way, International Learn to Fly Day is a great opportunity to promote the future of general aviation.
Hollis Willeford - Hollis is now retired after careers in aviation, marine transportation, and sales. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology, and ...
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