The A&P Shortage Explained in Plain English

If you work in aircraft maintenance, you’ve probably heard the phrase more times than you can count: there’s a huge A&P shortage. It comes up in hangars, job ads, and industry conversations, but it often gets thrown around without much explanation.

In simple terms, it means demand for qualified technicians is outpacing the supply – especially when it comes to experienced candidates. And that gap is starting to affect how the entire industry operates.

Demand Isn’t the Problem

The A&P shortage has nothing to do with a slowdown in aviation. If anything, it’s the opposite.

Airlines are expanding fleets, manufacturers are sitting on record backlogs, and MROs are booked months ahead. Aircraft are flying more, not less, which means demand for qualified technicians keeps rising.

In 2025 alone, the FAA logged over 17 million passenger flights, making it the busiest year in history. The issue isn’t a lack of work – it’s a lack of experienced technicians.

Experienced Technicians Are Leaving Faster Than They’re Being Replaced

A large part of the workforce that built today’s maintenance standards is starting to step away. Many seasoned A&Ps are retiring. Others are moving into inspection, QA, training, or management roles.

At the same time, fewer people are entering aircraft maintenance than in past decades. Training pipelines are smaller, and it takes years to develop real proficiency.

When experienced technicians leave faster than new ones can gain experience, the gap widens quickly. Simply put, the total number of technicians available for new work is shrinking every year.

Not All A&Ps Bring the Same Value

One of the most misunderstood parts of the shortage is the idea that any A&P can fill any role. In reality, experience isn’t interchangeable.

• Time on specific aircraft types
• Strong troubleshooting and diagnostic skills
• Consistency and reliability under pressure

That’s why experienced techs are in especially high demand. While an A&P license gets you in the door, real-world experience keeps operations running smoothly. At Strom, we frequently see openings requiring specific experience, such as PT6.

What the Shortage Means for Technicians

For technicians already in the field, the shortage often creates opportunity: more job options, faster hiring decisions, and better compensation for specialized experience.

It also means more leverage when choosing contracts, schedules, and long-term roles. Employers know skilled technicians are hard to replace.

The Risk of a Shortage Market

A shortage doesn’t automatically make every opportunity a good one. Companies may rush hiring or oversell roles to fill seats quickly.

Understaffed teams can lead to longer hours, heavier workloads, and burnout. That’s why it’s critical to understand the reality of a role, not just the pay rate.

The Long-Term Reality

This isn’t a short-term fluctuation. The A&P shortage reflects a lasting shift in how aviation maintenance is staffed.

For technicians, that shift can be an advantage – if approached strategically. Choosing roles that align with your experience and long-term goals matters more than ever.

Final Thoughts

The reality of today’s market is that you don’t need to chase every opening just because the industry is in a hurry. The "shortage" creates a lot of noise, and it’s easy to get lost in a sea of automated job boards and recruiters who treat your A&P license like a commodity.

The right career move shouldn't just satisfy the industry’s urgency; it should fit your specific experience, your long-term goals, and your life. This is where the human element becomes your greatest asset. Navigating a high-demand market requires a partner who actually takes the time to get to know you, not just your resume. At Strom, our recruiting team brings decades of collective experience to the table. We’ve seen the industry’s cycles firsthand, and that longevity allows us to provide the perspective you need to distinguish a "filler" job from a career-defining opportunity.

By working with a team that understands the nuances of specific airframes and the reality of hangar life, you aren't just filling a gap in a schedule. You’re leveraging years of institutional knowledge to ensure your next move is the right one for the long haul.