RICHMOND, Ky. — With the COVID-19 pandemic and basic retirement restrictions, U.S. airlines report a steep need to hire over 14,000 pilots each year to keep up with demand.

Eastern Kentucky University, home of the only 4-year aviation program in Kentucky, is helping train up future pilots.

For years, Kasey Harrison dreamed of being a pilot.

“I decided to go to Lexington and do a test flight and try it out. And I was like, wow, this is incredible. I could do this forever,” Harrison said.

Using virtual reality and simulator labs at EKU, Harrison has experienced flying first hand within her first year. 

A look inside one of EKU's flight simulators. (Spectrum News 1/Crystal Sicard)

“Right rudder is down here,” Harrison said in the simulator. “They have our brake system at the top and we control some parts of the plane with the bottom half.”

She's one of nearly 350 students this year studying aviation at the only four-year aviation program in the state. 

“Nationwide, we’re trying to address the pilot shortage and we feel that we are helping the U.S. fill that void,” Harrison said.

Executive Director Dennis Sinnett flew for the Navy over 30 years and said there are many factors going into the shortage—one especially being the required retirement.

“They have a mandatory at age 65, pilots that are flying for major airlines have to retire,” Harrison said.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of airlines and commercial pilots are projected to grow 13% from 2020 to 2030, faster than the average occupation. An increase in the job field, Sinnett says, is needed.

In her training, Harrison hopes to one day fill that need while pursuing her passion.

“I’m just loving it more and more,” Harrison said.

The aviation program plans to break ground this summer on a new flight training facility, to expand the students’ learning in addition to a new program on aircraft training devices.