When you ask most people where they think most pilots train to become airline pilots, they will answer “at a college or university.”
The data I have accumulated so far indicates that less than 20% of the aircraft we referenced were used in flight training in the collegiate environment. That means more than 80% of our flight training in the United States using this data is likely provided at local FBOs and flight schools, academy-style training operations, or large flight clubs.
The bulk of our training fleet that is used to provide training for pilots, professional ones included, is not likely in the collegiate environment.
What I ended up finding was a total of 6392 aircraft so far with only 1213 of those aircraft being in collegiate training programs. This leaves the bulk, over 80% of the fleet, in non-collegiate training operations.
(These numbers are as this was written – if the numbers in the spreadsheet below are now different it is because I am getting more information add adding/updating it as it comes in)
To no real surprise, it can also be seen that the bulk of the fleet is single-engine aircraft. With a much smaller percentage of the fleet being multi-engine aircraft (approximately 10%).
Our training fleet is likely smaller and less sourced from collegiate aviation programs than most would think based on this data. Continue reading
Aimee and I took the opportunity this year to bring Charlie to visit with some other Stinsons (and their caretakers) a the 2022 Stinson Summit in Quincy, Il. After a quick flight over from 35D to KBTL to finish up a checkride, we set out toward a stopping point in Pontiac, IL for a gas stop and a stretch of the legs.
The flight from KBTL to KPNT and then on beyond to KUIN was directly into the sun. I couldn’t help but feel like an idiot when it took me about 2 hours of flying directly into the western sun in 85 degrees with the windows open to realize I had a hat on the back seat that would shield my eyes from the brightness!
Slightly bump all the way, the flight was a great time for Aimee and I to hang out together on what was within a few days of our 5 year anniversary of both being married, and of buying Charlie.
A pretty cool way to spend the time and commemorate a few years that have gone by if you ask me.
Charlie seemed to agree and purred along the way nicely as we travelled over the scenic landscape of corn in Illinois that was only a few weeks from being cut and feeding our next year of people, livestock, and all the products that come from such a wide expanse of farmland. Continue reading
Most people get to work in their land-based vehicles. That isn’t always the case for me, especially since most days I am going to an airport anyway. It is a pretty special thing to have an airport greet you as the sun comes up in the morning and you embark into the air, defying gravity, on the way to start your day.
The view from Charlie is a pretty special one on a clear, calm morning such as this. I can’t help but marvel at how calm and smooth the morning was. Even in this 75-year-old Stinson, the flight was largely hands-off as I worked through my first cup of coffee enroute.
Thanks to Charlie for the great ride to work today! There are certainly worse ways to get to work.