Author: Marvin M. Smith

Publisher:

Published: 1989

Total Pages: 38

ISBN-13:

The shortage of U.S. Air Force pilots expected by 1994 has received Congressional attention for the past 2 years. This study examines five pay and/or bonus plans proposed in order to offset the projected shortage. This shortage is not evenly distributed among pilots: the retention problem is most acute for pilots in the 8th to 13th years of service in the ranks of captain and major. Pilots qualified to fly multi-engine aircraft (strategic airlifters and tankers) are projected to be in the shortest supply, in contrast to those who fly single-engine jets (fighters and trainers), propeller-driven aircraft, and helicopters. Of the plans examined in the CBO study, one plan would simply offer bonuses from $6,000 to $12,000 to pilots qualified to fly particular types of aircraft. A second plan would increase Aviation Career Incentive Pay (ACIP) or "flight pay," which is received by pilots of all types of aircraft and lengths of service. The other three plans offer combinations of bonuses with ACIP increases and with reductions in the number of nonflying positions for Air Force pilots. All five compensation plans would enable the Air Force to fill virtually all of its flying requirements for all types of aircraft. The combination plan passed by the Senate in its version of the 1990 Defense Authorization Bill would offer the largest increase in the number of pilots, but at the highest cost (an additional $586 million over 5 years). The combination plan passed by the House would be less costly, but would also attract fewer pilots in the critical 8th to 13th years of service. The pure bonus plan is the most efficient response, and across-the-board increases in ACIP are the least efficient.