The pilot shortage may no longer make headlines, but it’s still quietly grounding airline ambitions.
Schools like Epic Flight Academy report record enrollments, but the pipeline remains slow. Training capacity, simulator availability, and instructor shortages continue to limit throughput. Meanwhile, regional airlines struggle most acutely, often serving as the first rung on the professional ladder for new pilots, but also merely a stepping stone.
In 2025 the FAA warned that the pilot-shortage gap remains a long-term structural challenge. Regional carriers such as SkyWest and Envoy have already cited pilot availability as a limiting factor for route planning and aircraft utilization.
A great solo travel tip spotted this week on Live and Let's Fly.
