Nearly 10% of the estimated 11 million to 12 million people who attend airshows each year have a pilot’s license.
Another 39.5% say they are considering taking flying lessons, according to the most recent airshow spectator survey from the International Council of Air Shows (ICAS).
“Airshows and the experiences young people have at airshows are a driving force behind attracting the next generation of pilots,” said ICAS President John Cudahy. “With 14% of adult airshow spectators between the ages of 18 and 25, the industry can clearly influence whether someone decides to explore aviation as a career.”
“There are dozens of stories in the airshow industry about someone seeing a particular pilot or performance and that experience driving them toward an aviation career,” Cudahy continued. “Extraordinary, memorable experiences have influence. Seeing … any of our industry’s top pilots do what they do at airshows can certainly make a person thinking about becoming a pilot take the next step into aviation.”
My love of aviation started with my Dad taking me to airshows…mostly small air shows and occasionally Oshkosh… I started flying at 14 after my first flight in a Stearman and achieved my goal of becoming an airline pilot flying out of O’Hare Airport in 1987…There were very few role models for women at that time, so I am very encouraged to see great female performers today like Vicky Benzing (also an air race pilot), Mellissa Pemberton, and Patty Wagstaff, to name just a few, who work to inspire young girls to believe that they too can reach their goals, start flying, and someday find a career in aviation.