We can increase awareness of pilot career paths, the actual costs, and most importantly, the potential return. We should target schools, career fairs, and underserved communities, and encourage people from various backgrounds (gender, race, income, etc.) to become pilots. This will help reduce cultural and financial barriers. There is truly something for everyone in aviation. Focusing on the scholarships and financial aid opportunities provided by organizations like the FAA and AOPA should be a priority, as the cost of training seems to be holding many potential aviators back. Cadet/Airline Flight School Partnerships (with regional and major US commercial carriers), where some costs are less and jobs are guaranteed upon completion, would help with the uncertainty many students face. With the rapid growth of technology, incorporating more virtual reality and simulators in training schools would reduce the expense of flight hours. Especially from the controversial concept of “pay-to-fly,” where pilots have to pay fees to operate flights and gain experience on top of flight training. From AeroTime: “It is not acceptable to ask a young 20–22‑year‑old to pay such sums after they already paid significant sums for their flight school … Pay‑to‑fly cannot be considered as training since it is not performed under the continuous supervision of a trainer … the cost should therefore be borne by the employer.” Pilots could be offered more pay early in return for long-term commitments.  Also, more benefits can be offered, such as improved work-life balance. Flight school should grow along with the demand for pilots, meaning more simulators,  instructors, and capacity in classrooms. We already have the data to forecast where shortages will occur; we just have to plan ahead of demand rather than reacting to it.