The relationship between the availability of proficient entry-level airline pilots and the level of flight training of new-hire pilots at regional airlines

This study was conducted to determine if a relationship exists between the availability of proficient entry-level airline pilots and the level of flight training of new-hire pilots at regional airlines. Hiring criteria were used to represent the level of flight training of entry-level pilots. The study also identified areas of need for additional flight training and methods for acquiring the flight experience needed to pursue an airline career, as perceived by chief pilots employed by large and medium sized regional airlines. The study used the mail-survey questionnaire method to collect data from 126 regional airlines' chief pilots. Major findings were:

1. In four of six hiring criteria tested, availability of proficient entry-level pilots proved to be a factor in adherence to or relaxation of the hiring criteria by regional airlines.

2. The size of the regional airline was not a major factor in relaxing hiring criteria for entry-level pilots either in times of pilot shortage or no-shortage conditions.

3. Chief pilots of large and medium regional airlines perceive additional training needs of entry-level pilots in the same way, with the greatest need being in basic instrument flight or simulator training.

4. Chief pilots of large and medium regional airlines perceive methods as to how a new-commercial/instrument pilot should acquire the type and quality of flight experience needed to pursue an airline career in the same way.

5. The method of first choice for acquiring the flight experience needed to pursue an airline career, as perceived by chief pilots, was as an air-taxi/charter pilot. The study concluded that some hiring criteria may be relaxed during periods of proficient entry-level pilot shortage. Proven instrument-flight skills and simulator training are crucial and such training should not be left to chance. Time-based rather than proficiency-based flight-training programs provide new-commercial/instrument pilots pursuing airline careers the best training. While the literature provides ample support for proficiency-based flight training, such as the ab-initio program run by Lufthansa, chief pilots did not seem to trust any training not based on accrued flight time.