Where can I find out how nmuch the AF spends on training 1 pilot?

Question

Its for a brief...thanks!

Answer 1

This is a tricky one to answer. Back in 1997 the GAO (Government Accountability Office) was looking to reduce the number of pilots that were holding non-flying positions. Using DoD (Department of Defense) fiscal data, the GAO determined that each pilot candidate cost the government roughly $5,000,000 dollars. Adjusted for inflation that comes out to be about $6.5 million in today's dollars.

The GAO calculates the cost by including the expense of the candidates' salaries, benefits, housing, salary of instructors and maintenance crews, facilities, training aircraft...etc.

What costs should (and should not) be included in the tally is open to interpretation.

But honestly, I don't know who you'd need to contact for more up to date estimates.