The aviation industry is at the precipice of a major pilot shortage globally. Some data analysts predict that there will be a shortfall of almost 80,000 by 2032, with the US Air Force currently offering bonuses of up to $600,000 to retain pilots and their service. Middle Tennessee State University is doing much address that problem. In this new episode of Supply Chain Now, as a part of the NOW Generation series, we sit down with former UPS executive Tandreia Bellamy and her son, Anthony, the latter being a senior on MTSU’s highly regarded Aerospace Professional Pilot program. Tapping into the school’s impressive fleet of 47 aircraft, Anthony shares incredible insight into the life of a trainee pilot. He recounts the details of a solo cross-country training flight, communicating with traffic control and assessing which runway to land on. “The approach coming in, it was over the water and it was around sunset time, so it was beautiful,” he recalls. Tune in to hear Anthony’s story – the influence of his parents, amazing insights into his training, his overwhelming passion for the field, and plans for the future.

The Buzz is Supply Chain Now’s regular Monday livestream, held at 12 noon ET each week. This show focuses on some of the leading stories from global supply chain and global business, always with special guests – the most important of which is the live audience! In this week’s episode of The Buzz, hosts Scott Luton and Elba Pareja-Gallagher discuss the latest news and developments in the global supply chain industry. They touch on the ongoing crisis at the Port of Baltimore, the potential resurgence of the manufacturing industry, and the importance of sustainable sourcing and packaging. The episode features a special guest, Patricia Coan, COO of Pura, a smart home fragrance company. Coan shares her insights on building high-performing teams, the complexity of the fragrance industry, and Pura’s sustainability efforts, including a partnership with an Aboriginal tribe in Australia for sustainable sandalwood sourcing.