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Podcasts Take Two
US Air Force aims to combat pilot shortage
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Jul 29, 2013
Listen • 6:16
US Air Force aims to combat pilot shortage
The US Air Force is facing a shortage, but not of hardware. There are a lot less trained fighter pilots these days and they are offering a quarter million dollar bonus, over ten years, to former pilots who return to service.
In this image released by the U.S. Navy courtesy of Lockheed Martin, the U.S. Navy variant of the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter, the F-35C, conducts a test flight February 11, 2011 over the Chesapeake Bay. Lt. Cmdr. Eric "Magic" Buus flew the F-35C for two hours, checking instruments that will measure structural loads on the airframe during flight maneuvers. The F-35C is distinct from the F-35A and F-35B variants with larger wing surfaces and reinforced landing gear for greater control when operating in the demanding carrier take-off and landing environment.
In this image released by the U.S. Navy courtesy of Lockheed Martin, the U.S. Navy variant of the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter, the F-35C, conducts a test flight February 11, 2011 over the Chesapeake Bay.
(
U.S. Navy/Getty Images
)
In this image released by the U.S. Navy courtesy of Lockheed Martin, the U.S. Navy variant of the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter, the F-35C, conducts a test flight February 11, 2011 over the Chesapeake Bay. Lt. Cmdr. Eric "Magic" Buus flew the F-35C for two hours, checking instruments that will measure structural loads on the airframe during flight maneuvers. The F-35C is distinct from the F-35A and F-35B variants with larger wing surfaces and reinforced landing gear for greater control when operating in the demanding carrier take-off and landing environment.
In this image released by the U.S. Navy courtesy of Lockheed Martin, the U.S. Navy variant of the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter, the F-35C, conducts a test flight February 11, 2011 over the Chesapeake Bay.
(
U.S. Navy/Getty Images
)

The US Air Force is facing a shortage, but not of hardware. There are a lot less trained fighter pilots these days and they are offering a quarter million dollar bonus, over ten years, to former pilots who return to service.

In 1986, Tom Cruise played a cocky fighter pilot in the film "Top Gun," sparking a national interest in military aviation.

Almost 30 years later, the image of the high flying jet jockey seems to have lost some of its luster. The US Air Force is reporting a severe shortage in jet pilots, and they've introduced a new, potentially expensive incentive plan to close the looming gap.

LA Times reporter Bill Hennigan has been examining the pilot shortage, and he joins the show to explain.