There’s a range of evidence to consider. Most recently, reports last month that Wheels Up laid off more than 10% of its pilots blaming staffing imbalance. Also, the much-reported pause in commercial airline hiring is understood to have played a role. But how much does this reflect Wheels Up’s individual situation and what, if any light, does its cast on the availability of commercial pilots in general?

“Wheels Up has reduced its fleet size and primary service area, which would indeed make them overstaffed,” Brian Foley, founder and principal of consultancy Brian Foley Associates (BRiFO) tells CJI. “Flight revenues have also decreased suggesting fewer flight hours flown.”

Reduction in US charter

It’s likely to have been exacerbated by the continuous reduction in US charter utilisation, which the recent ARGUS report estimates to have fallen by 5.3% year-on-year, he adds.

So, taken together, the latest evidence could suggest aviation – both business and commercial – is seeing significant improvement in the availability of pilots to fly its aircraft. Foley puts it like this: “This, [slowdown in charter] combined with airline and freight carrier pilot hiring pauses, slowdowns and furloughs suggests a plateau in the pilot shortage and more available cockpit crew members.”

Bearing that in mind, can we conclude continuing reports about the impending shortage of pilots are overstated? Business aviation, unlike the airlines, has a distinct advantage when it comes to pilot recruitment, according to Foley. The sector requires fewer than 1,500 hours experience which, in turn, provides a more ready supply of pilot candidates than the stream available to the United, American Airlines, Delta and the like, he adds. 

This unlocks another significant point. “Our industry’s problem is more about pilot retention after attaining 1,500 hours and going to the airlines,” says Foley. “With airlines slowing hiring, this should become less of a problem in the near term.”

Unexpected silver lining

One unexpected silver lining to the supply chain cloud plaguing aviation is a beneficial impact on the supply of pilots. Boeing’s and Airbus’s inability to deliver new airliners in quantity will also have a positive impact on pilot availability, thinks Foley of BRiFO. 

It is a point picked up by Mike Stengel, principal of consultancy AeroDynamic Advisory. “There is still a shortage of pilots in the medium term due to unfavourable demographics,” he says. “But airlines are getting some temporary relief because they can’t get new airplanes fast enough, which has thus slowed down their hiring plans compared to the frenzy we saw in 2022 and 2023.”

The key word here for Stengel is “temporary”. Whatever the short-term challenges, the long-term direction of travel is clear. “As production rates increase at Airbus and Boeing, and Boeing also sorts through its own issues, we expect pilot hiring at major US airlines to accelerate again which will create ripple effects throughout the industry,” he argues. “This eventually translates into higher attrition at regional airlines and the business and general aviation segment that Wheels Up plays in since major airlines are often viewed as career destinations.” 

We did ask Wheels Up for comment but were told the organisation was unable to offer a view due to the media quiet period ahead of its second-quarter financial results expected on August 12th, 2024. In May, the company posted first-quarter 2024 financial results with total revenue down 44% year-over-year to $197m. (The fall was mainly driven by its exit from the aircraft management and aircraft sales businesses, as well as reduced membership and flight revenue).

11,000 airline pilots certified

Meanwhile, in March the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA) highlighted FAA research revealing the US continues to certificate more airline pilots each month than in the years before the global pandemic. For example, more than 11,000 airline pilots were certified in the 12 months to March alone.

“Despite continued data to the contrary, corporate special interests continue to push the narrative that the United States lacks enough pilots,” the association said on its website. “ALPA has long maintained that while there were some pilot training backlogs coming out of Covid, the system is working and still producing record numbers of pilots. Passenger demand continues to be strong, and while mainline airline hiring has stabilised, resulting in a reduction of new pilots being hired, flight schools continue to have record enrolment.”

Urging against FAA legislative and organisational changes, Jason Ambrosi, president, ALPA wrote: “The system is working as intended, we’re producing more than enough pilots, and we’re experiencing the safest period in US aviation history, thanks in large part to the highly trained pilots on every flight. However, all stakeholders have an obligation to remain vigilant and play an active role in the operations of the most complex aviation system on the planet.”

So, it seems for now, at least, fears about an acute shortage of business aviation pilots and their airline colleagues may be misplaced. (Read the CAE Aviation Talent Forecast here).

*Planes need pilots – for now and the foreseeable future. No one disputes the tremendous progress being made with autonomously piloted aircraft. But do you fancy leaving the ground in one any time soon?

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Benefits of the Ascent Club are said to include a dedicated travel adviser, guaranteed availability and recoveries, priority booking on peak travel days and up to an additional $250 in perks per flight.

“Our objective was to craft a membership programme with distinct benefits that demonstrates that we understand our clients and what is important to them,” said Barry Shevlin, co-founder and CEO, FlyUSA. “A key differentiator is the 2% cash back that rewards customers for being loyal. While other programmes keep clients at various tiers based on the size of their deposit, our programme pays clients back.”

The new programme divides membership levels into two tiers: Ascend Gold and Ascend Platinum. With a fully refundable deposit, the top-tier Platinum product offers the benefit of a shorter callout time frame of 72 hours, said the company. It has a fleet of 20 managed aircraft and more than 1,000 clients and members.

FlyUSA is based at Clearwater Airpark, Clearwater, Florida and has bases through the state. It also operates from locations in Texas. 

Meanwhile, in June 2023, FlyUSA  acquired 3B Aviation, at the time, expanding the company’s privately managed fleet to 15 aircraft. Speaking after the acquisition, Shevlin said: “We are excited at the opportunity to expand our aircraft acquisition and management services on behalf of our more than 700 on-demand charter clients across the country.”

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The news comes after Clay Lacy became one of the first authorised dealers and installers for the satellite-based internet solution back in May. Starlink enables inflight 4K video calls, streaming, online gaming and virtual private networks. With over 4,700 satellites in orbit, the Starlink constellation covers land, oceans and polar regions providing global coverage.

The first installations have averaged three weeks and were carried out by maintenance technicians at Clay Lacy’s Waterbury-Oxford Airport (KOXC) and Van Nuys Airport (KVNY) FAA Part 145 Repair Stations. The installations were completed on three Gulfstream G550s, a G650ER and a Bombardier Global 6000.

 “There has been high demand for this transformative, connectivity technology,” said Edward Diaz, avionics operations and sales manager for Clay Lacy Aviation. “Our team is moving quickly to provide low-downtime, expertly completed installations so that owners and operators can get the most out of their aircraft. Starlink will enhance operations for crew members, as well as provide a better flight experience for travellers.”

Clay Lacy Aviation also performs supplemental type certificate (STC) installs on the Gulfstream G450 and GV and the Bombardier Global 6500/7500, Express and XRS. Additional models are expected throughout the year including the Challenger 300/350, Global 5000, Gulfstream GIV, Embraer Legacy 600/650, Praetor and Phenom 300, among many others.

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This strategic acquisition for FlyHouse comes as it prepares to launch its app for customers. By utilising advanced technology, FlyHouse plans to enhance “the overall customer journey” and “simplify” the booking process. The firm says it has a “strong commitment” to offering transparent pricing, real-time availability and streamlined booking procedures.

Jack E. Lambert Jr., CEO of FlyHouse, said: “Acquiring JetASAP is a monumental step forward for FlyHouse. This integration not only enhances our service offerings but also aligns perfectly with our mission to transform the aviation industry. We are dedicated to leveraging JetASAP’s technology and expertise to deliver an exceptional experience for our customers and stakeholders. 

“This acquisition is a game-changer, and we are eager to integrate their platform with our upcoming app, setting new standards in private jet travel. Our goal is to make private jet travel more accessible, transparent, and efficient for our customers.”

Lisa Kiefer Sayer, founder and CEO of JetASAP, has now joined FlyHouse’s leadership team. 

“I can’t wait to jump in and get started,” said Kiefer Sayer. “In the coming weeks and months, I’ll be working closely with the team to scale both the FlyHouse app and JetASAP, building on our solid foundations. Together, we will be stronger and move even faster to reimagine the future of aviation.”

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This recognition is the second award for VOO after winning Technology Innovation of the Year Award earlier this year. The firm unveiled its instant booking technology at EBACE last month in partnership with its launching customer charter firm GlobeAir. 

Robert Plhak, CEO at VOO flights said: “Winning a second prestigious award within a short timeframe is truly remarkable. It’s a great validation of the transformative power of our technology and the dedication of our entire team. This recognition further motivates us to push the boundaries of innovation on the way to make our platform the industry standard.”

The platform streamlines the traditionally complex booking process for both brokers and operators, eliminating back-and-forth negotiations and manual paperwork. Through VOO’s platform, brokers gain instant access to GlobeAir’s aircraft availability and pricing, enabling them to generate swift and accurate offers for their clients. The technology won first place from a shortlist of 18.

“It’s time for business aviation to embrace technology that optimises processes and improves the experience for all business aviation professionals. VOO is here to lead the charge, and these awards encourage us to inspire the adoption of innovative solutions across the industry,” added Plhak.

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The agreement enhances the firm’s regional group charter services. Icarus specialises in organising charters for large groups of 30-300 passengers for corporate events, sports teams, musicians on tour and C-suites.

“Our new partnership with RVR Aviation and the addition of the ERJ135 to the brokerage fleet marks a significant milestone for Icarus Jet, allowing us to better serve our clients with more options and enhanced flexibility for their travel needs,” said Kevin Singh, president of Icarus Jet.

Opting for large jet charters offers significant cost savings, according to Singh. For example, a one-way flight from Dallas to Cancun costs around $160,000 for two heavy jets, whereas a group charter on the ERJ135 is approximately $65,000. Similarly, the cost per passenger from Dallas to Cabo San Lucas drops from $6,400 to $2,600.

“We are committed to offering the highest safety, comfort, and efficiency standards in our group charter services. With the ERJ135, we can provide a cost-effective solution for large groups without compromising on the luxury and convenience our clients expect,” adds Singh.

Icarus Jet also offers aircraft like the CRJ 1000 and A319 for larger groups, accommodating up to 100 passengers or more. The firm serves over 200 locations across North America, including Mexico. It also offers large aircraft options in Egypt and various other international regions.

“We are thrilled to expand our brokerage services by offering the ERJ135 as an option for regional group charters; this development opens new possibilities for Icarus Jet and our clients, enabling us to meet the growing demand for regional group charters with unmatched service quality.”

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The agency says services appear to operate like scheduled airlines but under “less-rigorous safety regulations – a fact that oftentimes is not transparent to the flying public”. The FAA will formally explore new ways to integrate charter flights into the airspace in a safe manner that maintains flexibility for users. 

FAA Administrator Mike Whitaker said: “Part of the safety mission of the FAA is identifying risk early on, and that’s exactly what we’re doing on public charters as usage expands. If a company is effectively operating as a scheduled airline, the FAA needs to determine whether those operations should follow the same stringent rules as scheduled airlines.” 

The FAA first made its plans public with a request for input in August 2023 from which it received and evaluated approximately 60,000 comments. It wants to amend part 110 definitions of “scheduled”, “on demand” and “supplemental” operations. If finalised, public charters will be subject to operating rules based on the same safety parameters as other non-public charter operations.   

“At the same time, we want to look at how future innovation might cause us to think differently,” Whitaker added. “Safe air travel options should be available to everyone, not limited to only those living near a major airport. We want to put a safety lens over the options of future innovation, as we work to further connect small and rural communities to open up more options for everyone at the same high level of safety.” 

The FAA intends to issue the notice of proposed rulemaking as quickly as possible . As part of any proposed rule, the agency would seek comment on an effective date that would allow for industry to adapt to any change in the regulatory environment.

Maintaining focus on expanding air services to small and rural communities, the FAA will look to  align aircraft size and certification standards with operational needs for such communities. The agency will convene a safety risk management panel (SRMP) to assess “the feasibility of a new operating authority for scheduled part 135 operations in 10-30 seat aircraft”.

The FAA’s public charter work is being done in coordination with the Transportation Security Administration (TSA). While the FAA focuses on the safety of the flying public, TSA focuses on the security of transportation systems. 

The TSA has been reviewing the security requirements of certain operators under the Twelve-Five Standard Security Program (TFSSP), which includes a proposal for the screening of passengers and their accessible property on public charter flights along with other requirements for all TFSSP operators. In accordance with 49 CFR 1544, TSA provided a 45-day comment period for the impacted operators that ends on June 27. TSA will adjudicate any comments received from industry and continue to work closely with the impacted operators.

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Each time a jet card customer requests a trip, it is now cross-referenced with thousands of empty legs from hundreds of operators to find simulated alternatives. The new trip may then be offered to the customer for a substantially lower cost than their fixed hourly jet card rate.

Founder and executive chair Mike Winston said: “Jet Card customers can now take advantage of AI to score a Reroute and save money. Empty legs rarely align with customer needs but reroutes often do. A reroute is a slight tweak to the flight plan of an empty leg that is booked at a price in between an empty leg and a new charter. 

“Our Reroute AI software firstly identifies opportunities, secondly suggests a price to the operator, and lastly allows for a smooth rerouted booking.”

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SmartSky’s next-generation Air-to-Ground (ATG) in-flight connectivity network is designed to deliver premium performance for every seat on the aircraft. Solutions are available for all sizes of business aircraft with supplemental type certificates (STCs) available and in progress for more than 16,000 in-service models.

Volato aims to exceed customer expectations on every flight, according to Matt Liotta, CEO of Volato. “The addition of SmartSky’s next-generation inflight connectivity is a direct response to customer feedback and underscores our commitment to delivering a superior in-flight experience,” he said. “Early feedback indicates our passengers will be thrilled with the seamless connection and blazing-fast speeds.”

Paul Sameit, vice president of Fleet and Reseller Accounts for SmartSky added: “We couldn’t be happier for Volato and their customers who are now enjoying the benefits of SmartSky when they fly.”

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The Texas-based air charter specialist strongly believes business aviation users are changing their flying habits due to “fear of the optics”. He says fear and regulation will not provide an ultimate solution as private aviation users will sell their aircraft and charter instead to reduce the traceability of their flight taking.

“Aviation as whole is only responsible for 1.5% of all carbon emissions,” explains Singh (pictured below). “Why don’t we tackle the big issues? The biggest issue that we have is not the private jet industry causing carbon emissions. It is your landfills. If you look at the collection of trash when we recycle plastic in America, it’s not recycled. It goes to the same dump. But we feel like we are saving the environment by putting it in a separate plastic bag.”

There should be no shame in repositioning a CEO seven minutes further to save four hours of his time. He makes the point that two of the biggest polluting countries in the world — China and India — have less than 1,000 private jets between them. “Dallas Love Field has 95 aircraft, one small airfield. Private aviation is not the big polluter.”

Singh says the owner of French multinational LVMH has sold his aircraft recently and now charters instead. IBM just downsized its entire flight department. Whilst Allstate, 3M, VF Corp and SteelCase among others have closed flight departments down entirely.

 “We are all masking and disguising our habits, but we are not solving the underlying problem. People need to understand the value of our industry and it is our job to educate them.”

The issue then for those who use their aircraft upwards of 300 hours per year is that it makes much more economic sense to own rather than charter, says Singh. “The cents and dollars won’t add up. You are spending so much it is better to go out there buy the product. Plus, in the US you will get the depreciation right off the bat.”

Private aircraft create hundreds of jobs that enable small airports to continue operations, according to Singh. This is how the model works in terms of creating employment at smaller aviation facilities in the US, because there is no subsidy from government and no interest from scheduled airlines. 

“If you’re city needs a big factory but doesn’t have a small satellite airport, it is more than likely executives won’t even look there in the first place,” explains Singh. “Which can and does induce poverty. A private aircraft on the other hand allows executives to travel to an area and see its potential and then continue to travel there once they facility is setup. It is crucial we keep these small airports alive and business aviation does that.”

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