SIGNATURE FLIGHT SUPPORT WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT Securing a Diverse and Skilled Workforce Amid Labor-Related Headwinds Reaching a diverse and new audience of future pilots, aviation technicians and other aviation professionals requires a collaborative effort. by Curt Castagna T he U.S. aviation industry has a severe shortage of aviation technicians and pilots, and a coalition of industry groups is now working with federal lawmakers to address the crisis. If this trend continues, the efficiency of the national aviation system and growth of one of the most important sectors of our economy could be undermined. 46 JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2020 The "2019 Boeing Pilot & Technician Outlook" - an annual industry forecast of personnel demand - projects that 804,000 new civil aviation pilots and 769,000 new maintenance technicians will be needed to fly and maintain the global aircraft fleet over the next 20 years. The forecast is inclusive of the commercial aviation, business aviation and civil helicopter industries. This demand will stem from a mix of fleet growth, retirements and attrition. AIRCRAFT MAINTENANCE TECHNOLOGY