Honolulu forum seeks future and active commercial pilots

Commercial pilots continue to be in high demand even as the aviation industry undergoes consolidation.

On Saturday, the Future & Active Pilot Advisors (FAPA) forum will return to Honolulu with free back-to-back events that will educate aspiring pilots about pathways to a professional career, and make available recruiters for active pilots seeking jobs with regional or corporate airlines. The events will be held in the Pomaikai Ballrooms at Dole Cannery.

FAPA, which was in Honolulu in January, said among its target attendees are separating military personnel, students of all ages and those seeking to change careers.

“The major airlines are on track to hire nearly 5,000 pilots this year,” said Louis Smith, president of FAPA.

Pilot positions have become available as people leave the industry due to attrition and the mandatory 65-year-old retirement age in the U.S.

Smith said that Piedmont Airlines and Envoy Air are actively seeking rotor-trained separating military personnel and that both airlines offer rotor transition programs.

The FAPA pilot job fair for qualified pilots will be held from 9 a.m. to noon. Airlines recruiting are Piedmont Airlines, Envoy Air, Compass Airlines, ExpressJet, GoJet Airlines, Mesa Airlines, SkyWest Airlines, Gama Aviation Signature and Horizon Air.

The future pilot forum, which is scheduled from 1 to 6 p.m., will allow attendees to learn about the pathways to a professional pilot career, including information about scholarships, veterans’ benefits, college choices, flight school options and the industry outlook.

All attendees, including siblings and spouses, should preregister for either event online at fapa.aero.