Jamail Larkins Of Aviation Start Says Almost 50 Percent Of Commercial Pilots In U.S. Will Age Out Over Next Decade Jamail Larkins, the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) first Ambassador for Aviation and Space Education, presented at the Aero-News Innovation Preview his views on future hiring needs for aviation. Larkins, also the founder of Aviation Start, pointed out that 8 percent of current aviation mechanics are scheduled to retire in nine years. By 2028 the FAA must hire 2.4 million people for aviation-related jobs. And the FAA must replace or add hires for the almost-60 percent of the current controller workforce by 2028. “We currently do not have the pipeline to be able to do that. Aviation Start is working with the industry to help change that. We are developing programs and opportunities to get the next generation involved inside the aviation industry – to attract them, to engage them and support their career inside the industry.”
