Report warns AAM makers of eVTOL craft about serious engineer dearth

As the expected launch of air taxi and other advanced air mobility (AAM) services using electric takeoff and landing aircraft (eVTOL) nears, excitement increases over the new transportation options and significant economic opportunities they’ll hold. But a recent report warns that unless both older and new aviation companies do a better job recruiting and maintaining their engineers, a growing shortage of those critical employees will prevent nascent aerial activity from fulfilling its potential.

The study was conducted by the hydrogen technology promoting Hysky Society for the Vertical Flight Society (VFS), and was based on employee audits of both legacy aviation companies and startups. It determined that difficulties many of those businesses already face in filling engineering positions will increase due to an expect shortfall of 10,000 of those qualified employees over the next decade.

Critical to retaining workers already on the job and potential recruits,…