Aviation Industry by the Numbers
by John Ostrem, EAA Chapter 54
Pilots often say we “fly by the numbers. " Here are some interesting numbers about our industry, especially general aviation. With 680,000 pilots, and 1.1 million jobs generating $246 billion annually, we are an economic powerhouse creating a driving force in the economy. Aviation is especially suited to promote the movement of people, freight, ambulance, search-and-rescue, traffic monitoring, firefighting, and law enforcement. In fact, one of five law-enforcement agencies have one or more fixed-wing or rotorcraft aircraft as part of their fleet, and there are over 1,500 aerial applicators in the agricultural industry. The medical industry benefits with fixed-wing aircraft moving 150,000 patients annually, and helicopters transporting an amazing 400,000 patients. These medical flights employ 4,400 pilots, 600 doctors, 5,500 nurses, 5,300 paramedics and EMTs.
Supporting our aviation industry is a major task requiring 4,800 general aviation airports and 3,383 fixed base operators. Keeping our planes airworthy requires 4,144 repair facilities, and 125,440 licensed Aircraft Maintenance Technicians across the country. This is expected to increase as the average age of our general aviation aircraft fleet is an amazing 50 years, well beyond the design expectations when they were built. In fact, there are 220,000 aircraft registered in the United States and 90 percent are used in general aviation and 80 percent of the U.S. pilots are general aviation. These 680,000 pilots require services from 650 flight schools and 87,000 flight instructors and those numbers are expected to increase with the increasing demand. In 2022, for example, Boeing projected a 20-year need for 600,000 pilots and 610,000 mechanics.
One can’t forget the over 45,000 employees at the FAA with air traffic controllers, technicians, engineers and support personnel directing 50,000 private, commercial and military flights each day. And if needed there are 400 National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) engineers and investigators ready to help. Our National Weather Service has meteorologists, and staff at weather centers, FAA Command Centers, satellites, and radar weather stations providing crucial information for flight planning.
It is interesting to note that Minnesota is ranked in the top 10 states in aviation economic impact per capita. Delta Airlines, with the well-known Minnesota connection, ranks number one in financial revenue at $58.2 billion annually and home to 100,000 employees! Our General Aviation future looks bright by the numbers with the most growth expected in the small jet and turboprop sectors and economic activity is expected to grow in the next 10 years from $36 billion to $58 billion, a 61% increase. Leaders in the industry are looking ahead to design efficient and safe aircraft with sustainable fuels that could reduce greenhouse gas emissions by up to 80% compared to conventional fuels.
Our airport at Lake Elmo plays an important role in this amazing industry as part of Minnesota’s aviation support system. So next time anyone asks about the economic impact of a General Aviation Airport remind them that we have a $75 return for every $1 that is invested. Pretty good return.
Our next feature will be on the specifics of the Lake Elmo Airport.
John Ostrem, a former deputy chancellor in the Minnesota State system, flies a C150 out of 21D. He and his wife, Nancy, also a Chapter 54 member, recently moved to Stillwater.
