{"id":25187,"date":"2019-10-20T21:58:49","date_gmt":"2019-10-20T21:58:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/armytimes\/uncategorized\/2019\/10\/20\/from-growing-pilots-to-shifting-training-while-also-meeting-growing-demands-army-aviation-has-challenges\/"},"modified":"2026-08-08T02:13:34","modified_gmt":"2026-08-08T02:13:34","slug":"from-growing-pilots-to-shifting-training-while-also-meeting-growing-demands-army-aviation-has-challenges","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/armytimes\/news\/your-army\/2019\/10\/20\/from-growing-pilots-to-shifting-training-while-also-meeting-growing-demands-army-aviation-has-challenges\/","title":{"rendered":"From growing pilots to shifting training while also meeting growing demands, Army aviation has challenges"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Army aviation faces current and future challenges as it adapts itself to both find new pilots while also preparing the next generation of aviators <\/a>for air combat not seen in generations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In recent weeks, top Army aviation leaders have said publicly that while the number of pilots in the ranks fills the current aviation needs of the combatant commanders, junior pilot numbers are short and could create a critical gap as senior pilots retire or end their service.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And that\u2019s happening just as a combination of efforts<\/a> is being re-oriented to gear the aviation branch<\/a> along with the rest of the Army for large-scale combat operations, leaders said at the AUSA Aviation Hot Topic in September.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Brig. Gen. Michael C. McCurry said at the time that the Army is short nearly 700 junior aviators. Leadership is conducting exit surveys to learn why they\u2019re leaving the force and the Army is working on flight pay improvements, some based on proficiency levels.<\/p>\n\n\n\t