U.S. DOT and the U.S. DOT Volpe Center developed Forces to Flyers in response to the airline pilot shortage that existed in 2017, which negatively impacted air services to small and rural communities across the country. Under the three-year research initiative, researchers sought to study pathways for entering the pilot workforce and identifying barriers to training and employment.

One portion of the research was the development of a flight training demonstration focused on providing flight training to veterans on an accelerated schedule at vocational flight schools. The final report assesses the demonstration’s success in meeting its goals, including training efficiency, cost-effectiveness, veteran employment, and producing more pilots.

The Forces to Flyers demonstration resulted in 32 veterans earning a commercial pilot’s license with multi-engine rating, which allows them to begin a career as a professional pilot. 

This research program has concluded. Veterans interested in pursuing flight training can learn more about the GI Bill benefits here.