Canadian Air Force Producing Almost 50% Fewer Pilots in Recent Years

Two Royal Canadian Air Force CF-188 Hornet aircraft execute high-speed manoeuvres at the 4 Wing Cold Lake fighters base in Alberta on June 1, 2017. MCpl HJL MacRae, 4 Wing Imaging, CK05-2017-0460

The number of pilots produced by the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) has plummeted in recent years, according to the Department of National Defence (DND).

Between 2015-2016 and 2018-2019, 423 pilots received their wings in the RCAF. That figure declined to 240 between 2019-2020 and 2022-2023, nearly halving the number of successful new pilots in the air force.

“The Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) continues to make a concerted, comprehensive effort to recruit and retain its most valuable asset – people,” says the DND in an Inquiry of Ministry tabled on Sept. 18.

“This includes analyzing recruitment trends, particularly in highly skilled positions, such as pilots, and working to identify innovative ways to improve recruitment and membership.”

The department tabled the information following an order paper filed by Conservative MP Fraser Tolmie, who sought information on pilot shortages in the RCAF.

The decline in pilots receiving their wings appears to coincide with the COVID-19 period. DND did not respond to a request from The Epoch Times to shed light on the falling numbers.

DND says that 765 pilots retired from 2016 to June 2023 for reasons such as medical disability, completion of service, or reaching retirement age. It also says that over 600 pilot candidates are currently at various stages in the training pipeline. The RCAF is also trying to re-enrol those skilled with previous experience.

At present, DND says there are 181 vacant spots in the pilot occupation of a total of 1,556 available positions, for a staffing level of 88.4 percent. No data was provided on the number of pilots sidelined for medical or other reasons.

“National Defence anticipates that the pilot occupation will stay within the 86-90% range for the foreseeable future,” says the document.

Recruiting and retention have been difficult for the military in recent years, with attrition reaching a 15-year high. Recruitment decreased by 35 percent in 2022 to 5,242 recruits, from 8,069 in 2021.

“The Canadian Armed Forces serves Canada by defending our values, interests and sovereignty at home and abroad. However, the [CAF] is experiencing a shortfall in personnel that has been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic and Canada-wide labour shortages,” said a DND briefing note titled “Recruitment And Retention.”

This has led the CAF to face a 16,000-member shortfall, evenly split between regular and reserve forces, CTV News reported in April.

“If DND/CAF is unable to recruit, train and retain required skilled personnel, readiness is diminished, which could ultimately impact the success of operations,” says an internal DND report titled “Ready Forces Integrated Strategic Analysis” released in spring.