The Impact of Public Law 111-216: Perceptions of U.S. Collegiate Flight Students

Abstract

This national research study is the second part of a three-part study examining the perceptions and effects of Public Law 111-216. Part one examined the perceptions of U.S. collegiate flight programs and part three will examine the perceptions of pilots employed with a part 121 U.S. air carrier operator. This research study examined the perceptions of United States collegiate flight students regarding the impact of Public Law 111-216 after its implementation to determine how Public Law 111-216 will affect collegiate flight students and the U.S. airline industry. This study was conducted to determine if a relationship exists between collegiate flight students’ perceptions of PL 111-216 and the possible effects it may have on collegiate flight students’ desires and ambitions to become U.S. commercial pilots and the U.S airline industry. The findings of this research study impact collegiate flight students, collegiate flight programs, and the U.S. airline industry. This research provides collegiate flight programs and the U.S. airline industry insight into flight students’ perceptions of PL 111-216. This insight may help forecast future trends in prospective enrollments and retention rates of current students in collegiate flight programs due to the significant increase of unanticipated flight costs. This study has the potential to also provide a vision of future pilot supply. The findings provide an avenue for collegiate flight programs and the U.S. airline industry to address possible areas of concerns as a result of PL 111-216 changes in pilot qualification standards.