ERIC ED419149: Taking Flight: Education and Training for Aviation Careers.

187 Pages·1997·2 MB·English

by  ERIC

DOCUMENT RESUME
ED 419 149 CE 076 445
AUTHOR
Hansen, Janet S., Ed.; Oster, Clinton V., Jr., Ed.
Taking Flight: Education and Training for Aviation Careers.
TITLE
INSTITUTION National Research Council,
National Academy of Sciences
Washington, DC. Commission on Behavioral and Social Sciences
and Education.
SPONS AGENCY
Department of Education, Washington, DC.
ISBN
ISBN-0-309%-05676-4
PUB DATE
1997-00-00
NOTE
186p.
CONTRACT EA9409001
AVAILABLE FROM
National Academy Press, 2101 Constitution Avenue, NW, Box
285, Washington, DC 20418; 800-624-6242; http://www.nap.edu
PUB TYPE
Books (010)
EDRS PRICE
EDRS Price MF01 Plus Postage. PC Not Available from EDRS.
Adults; Air Transportation; *Aircraft Pilots; *Aviation
DESCRIPTORS
Education; *Aviation Mechanics; Aviation Technology; Blacks;
Females; *Flight Training; Hispanic Americans; Job Training;
Males; Minority Groups; *Nontraditional Occupations;
*Occupational Information; Postsecondary Education; Whites
ABSTRACT
This book reports on a study of education and training for
civilian aviation careers. Following an overview of the study in chapter 1,
chapter 2 provides the context for the analysis by first sketching the
evolution of the aviation industry, then describing the key characteristics
of the current industry and its workforce. Among the issues described in this
chapter are the following: the shaping role of government regulation on and
deregulation on the work force, the factors that affect worker supply,
demand, earnings, and qualifications, and the current gender and ethnic
composition of the aviation work force. Chapter 3 examines the importance of
the military as a source of training professionals for civil aviation,
including the impact of military downsizing on the availability of minorities
and women with aviation training and on training opportunities for these
groups in the military. Options for training the civilian aviation work force
are the focus of chapter 4, which explores and compares the strengths and
limitations of five training pathways: military training, foreign employees,
on-the-job training, collegiate training, and "ab initio" (from the
beginning) training. Chapter 5 takes an in-depth look at the issue of
diversity in the aviation work force. The chapter analyzes past and present
obstacles affecting the employment of women and minorities, examines ways to
expand the pool of interested and qualified individuals, and recommends
improvements in educational preparation, selection criteria, industry
climate, and other areas that could help create a more diverse workforce. The
book contains 159 references and biographical sketches of the Committee on
Education and Training for Civilian Aviation Careers.
(KC)
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BEST COPY AVA1LABL
TAKING
FLIGHT
EDUCATION AND TRAINING
FOR AVIATION CAREERS
Janet S. Hansen and Clinton V. Oster, Jr., Editors
Committee on Education and Training for Civilian Aviation Careers
Commission on Behavioral and Social Sciences and Education
National Research Council
NATIONAL ACADEMY PRESS
Washington, DC 1997
3
NATIONAL ACADEMY PRESS
2101 Constitution Avenue, NW Washington, DC 20418
NOTICE: The project that is the subject of this report was approved by the Governing Board of the
National Research Council, whose members are drawn from the councils of the National Academy of
Sciences, the National Academy of Engineering, and the Institute of Medicine. The members of the
committee responsible for the report were chosen for their special competences and with regard for
appropriate balance.
This report has been reviewed by a group other than the authors according to procedures
approved by a Report Review Committee consisting of members of the National Academy of Sci-
ences, the National Academy of Engineering, and the Institute of Medicine.
This work is sponsored by the U.S. Department of Education and funded under contract no.
EA940900 I. The content of this publication does not necessarily reflect the views or policies of the
U.S. Department of Education, nor does mention of trade names, commercial products, or organiza-
tions imply endorsement by the U.S. govemment.
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Taking flight :
education and training for aviation careers / Janet S.
Hansen and Clinton V. Oster, editors ; Committee on Education and
Training for Civilian Aviation Careers, Commission on Behavioral and
Social Sciences and Education, National Research Council.
cm
p.
Includes bibliographical references and index.
1. AeronauticsVocational guidance. I. Hansen, Janet S.
II. Oster, Clinton V. III. National Research Council (U.S.).
Committee on Education and Training for Civilian Aviation Careers.
TL561.T35
1997
629.13'0023dc21
97-1965
CIP
Additional copies of this report are available from:
National Academy Press
2101 Constitution Avenue NW
Box 285
Washington, DC 20418
800-624-6242 or 202-334-3313 (in the Washington metropolitan area). http://www.nap.edu
Copyright 1997 by the National Academy of Sciences. All rights reserved.
Printed in the United States of America
COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION AND TRAINING FOR
CIVILIAN AVIATION CAREERS
CLINTON V. OSTER, JR. (Chair), School of Public and Environmental
Affairs, Indiana University
MARGARET BATY, International Women's Air and Space Museum, Dayton,
Ohio
SANDY BAUM, Department of Economics, Skidmore College
DOUGLAS C. BIRDSALL, Northwest Airlines, Stamford, Connecticut
CAPTAIN I.J. DUNCAN, Airbus Service Company, Inc., Miami Springs,
Florida
JACQUELINE FLEMING, Barnard College and Motivation Research
Corporation, New York
CAPTAIN PERRY JONES, Delta Airlines, Montclair, New Jersey
JOHN R. MEYER, Center for Business and Government, Harvard University
ISAAC R. NETTEY, School of Technology, Texas Southern University
JUDITH ORASANU, NASA-Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, California
WILLIE PEARSON, JR., Department of Sociology, Wake Forest University
STEVEN SLIWA, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Daytona Beach,
Florida
HARRY THIE, RAND Corporation, Washington, D.C.
JAMES C. WILLIAMS, GE Aircraft Engines, Cincinnati, Ohio
FRED WORKLEY, National Air Transport Association, Alexandria, Virginia
JANET S. HANSEN, Study Director
GARY W. BALDWIN, Research Associate
THERESA NOONAN, Project Assistant
iii
The National Academy of Sciences is a private, nonprofit, self-perpetuating society of distin-
guished scholars engaged in scientific and engineering research, dedicated to the furtherance of
science and technology and to their use for the general welfare. Upon the authority of the charter
granted to it by the Congress in 1863, the Academy has a mandate that requires it to advise the federal
government on scientific and technical matters. Dr. Bruce M. Alberts is president of the National
Academy of Sciences.
The National Academy of Engineering was established in 1964, under the charter of the Na-
tional Academy of Sciences, as a parallel organization of outstanding engineers. It is autonomous in
its administration and in the selection of its members, sharing with the National Academy of Sciences
the responsibility for advising the federal government. The National Academy of Engineering also
sponsors engineering programs aimed at meeting national needs, encourages education and research,
and recognizes the superior achievements of engineers. Dr. William A. Wulf is interim president of
the National Academy of Engineering.
The Institute of Medicine was established in 1970 by the National Academy of Sciences to
secure the services of eminent members of appropriate professions in the examination of policy
matters pertaining to the health of the public. The Institute acts under the responsibility given to the
National Academy of Sciences by its congressional charter to be an adviser to the federal government
and, upon its own initiative, to identify issues of medical care, research, and education. Dr. Kenneth
I. Shine is president of the Institute of Medicine.
The National Research Council was organized by the National Academy of Sciences in 1916 to
associate the broad community of science and technology with the Academy's purposes of furthering
knowledge and advising the federal government. Functioning in accordance with general policies
determined by the Academy, the Council has become the principal operating agency of both the
National Academy of Sciences and the National Academy of Engineering in providing services to the
government, the public, and the scientific and engineering communities. The Council is administered
jointly by both Academies and the Institute of Medicine. Dr. Bruce M. Alberts and Dr. William A.
Wulf are chairman and interim vice chairman, respectively, of the National Research Council.
Contents
vii
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
1
1 INTRODUCTION
13
2 THE AVIATION INDUSTRY AND ITS WORKFORCE
18
The Aviation Industry, 18
The Aviation Workforce, 30
Worker Supply and Demand in the Aviation Industry, 50
Recapitulation, 52
3 THE IMPACT OF MILITARY DOWNSIZING
53
The Military as a Supplier of Pilots and Technicians, 54
The Military Drawdown: Implications for Minorities and Women, 61
4 CIVILIAN TRAINING FOR AVIATION CAREERS
76
Training Pathways for Specialized Aviation Occupations, 77
Challenges for a Civilian Training System, 98
5 DIVERSIFYING THE AVIATION WORKFORCE
114
A Historical Perspective, 115
Developing Interest, 120
Basic Academic Competencies, 128
Barriers, 139
Vi
CONTENTS
REFERENCES
152
APPENDIX: BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES
163
INDEX
169
Acknowledgments
The Committee on Education and Training for Civilian Aviation Careers is
deeply indebted to a number of individuals who made significant contributions to
its work. First and foremost are the staff at the National Research Council. Gary
Baldwin served as research associate throughout the project. He undertook spe-
cial responsibility for tracking down frequently elusive literature and data; he
also wrote invaluable background materials that assisted the committee in eluci-
dating the issues, identifying the relevant evidence, and drawing appropriate
Senior Project Assistant Theresa Noonan coordinated the com-
conclusions.
mittee's meetings with great efficiency and prepared successive drafts of the
Alexandra Wigdor, as always, provided wisdom and guidance
manuscript.
Christine McShane's editing added greatly to the clarity of the
throughout.
report. Elsa Riemer prepared the final version of the manuscript for publication
Consultant Nancy Kober gave important assistance with
with skill and care.
writing in the late stages of the committee's deliberations.
The committee is also grateful for the willingness of literally dozens of
individuals from government agencies, aviation trade and interest groups, col-
leges and schools, research organizations, industry, and the aviation press to help
the committee accumulate essential information and evidence. A few of these
individuals deserve special thanks for their good-natured and helpful responses to
numerous requests throughout the study:
R. Gregg Carr, FAPA
Dr. Gary Eiff, Purdue University
Zee Ferris, Defense Manpower Data Center
vii
viii
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
Gary Kite ley, University Aviation Association
Dr. Larry Lackey, Federal Aviation Administration
Andrew Robinson, Federal Aviation Administration
Louis Smith, FAPA
Leslie Vipond, Federal Aviation Administration
Phillip Woodruff, Federal Aviation Administration
Clinton V. Oster, Chair
Janet S. Hansen, Study Director
0