Becoming a pilot is a dream for many, but not all pilots end up flying for commercial airlines. Not all Pilots with Airline Transport Pilot certificates are airline pilots. In fact, the percentage of registered pilots who are airline pilots is relatively small. In this blog post, we will take a closer look at the percentage of pilots who are working for commercial airlines and the reasons behind this.
Only 6% of Pilots with Airline Transport Pilot (ATP)
Retired or a hobby
Cargo, Private or Corporate
Soooooo many carriers
Skilled pilots
Financial obligations
Conclusion
Only 6% of Pilots with Airline Transport Pilot (ATP)
According to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in the United States, around 6% of the total pilot population holds an Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) certificate, which is required to serve as a pilot in command of a commercial airline. However, this number may vary depending on the country and region.
Retired or a hobby
It's important to note that not all registered pilots are actively flying, some are retired or working in other fields. Additionally, the percentage of airline pilots may also be affected by the current state of the aviation industry and the overall demand for pilots.
Cargo, Private or Corporate
It's also worth mentioning that not all registered pilots are working for commercial airlines, some are working for cargo airlines, corporate or private aviation. The percentage of pilots working for commercial airlines is likely to be less than 6%.
Soooooo many carriers
There are several reasons why the percentage of pilots who are working for commercial airlines is relatively small having Pilots with Airline Transport Pilot. One of the main reasons is the increasing competition among airlines. With more airlines entering the market, there is greater pressure on them to keep costs low, including pilot salaries. Additionally, the industry has seen a rise in the number of low-cost carriers, and now even ultra-low cost carriers, which often pay pilots lower salaries than major or legacy airlines.
Skilled pilots
Another reason is the increasing automation of the cockpit, which has reduced the need for highly skilled pilots. With the advent of new technologies such as fly-by-wire systems and autopilot, the skills required to fly an airplane have become less specialized. As a result, the demand for highly skilled pilots is not as high as it used to be.
As a major airline pilot myself, I’m sure some are cringing while they read that! What I mean is simply that there are some that are trainable and some that just have the right stuff.
There is a difference and a pretty small one at that. The best pilot in the world might not be trainable and therefore not a great airline pilot. However they can fly an NDB approach with a 49 knot crosswind at night in a snowstorm, uphill with moderate turbulence and one eye reading a Tom Clancy novel yet have an issue following specific carriers rules.
Then you have a good or mediocre pilot that can get the job done, might not be the best hand flying pilot but they know how to follow rules and how to keep everyone safe. Maybe during that 49 knot crosswind approach they go off course a few degrees but still within limits.
Skills might be less needed but bottom line is they are always required to operate airliners. Some companies might forget that and choose to pay less than due.
Financial obligations
Lastly, the high cost of training and obtaining the necessary licenses and certifications can be a barrier for some aspiring pilots. The cost of flight training can be prohibitively expensive for some, and not everyone has the financial resources to pursue a career as a commercial airline pilot.
Conclusion
In conclusion, becoming a commercial airline pilot is a dream for many, but the percentage of registered pilots who are working for commercial airlines is relatively small and those Pilots with Airline Transport Pilot or ATPs is smaller. The reasons behind this include increasing competition among airlines, increasing automation of the cockpit, and the high cost of training and certifications. Despite this, being a pilot is still a well-paying profession and the demand for pilots is high. With the increasing shortage of pilots, it's expected that the pay for pilots will increase in the future.
The owner of this blog, writer of this blog post and anyone involved with this domain, store or business should have zero affiliation with or have any personal views or opinions about any specific carriers decisions. This is not at all a blog about any specific topics or airlines. Anything in this blog may not be involved in any disciplinary hearing for anyone at all. This blog is fiction and everything on it should be considered as such. Basically this blog doesn’t exist unless it is for pleasure reading. A notice for anyone that likes to look into writings for more than pleasure. Now go lay down!
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