If United States Air Force officials get their way, pilots’ retention bonuses could double to $48,000 per year, which would mean some aviators could take home a mind-boggling $432,000 in pay — if they stay in.

This from Air Force Times:

The Air Force has previously said it wants to increase its Aviator Retention Pay, which has been capped at $25,000 per year since 1999, to help stave off an exodus of its best fighter pilots for better-paying jobs at private airlines. In an Aug. 3 interview with Air Force Times, Air Force Secretary Deborah Lee James said the service has asked Congress for permission to offer almost twice that.

“On the fighter side, we already have a shortage,” James said. “We believe it’s going to get worse unless action is taken, and we know that the civilian airlines are projected to hire a lot in the next several years.”

Several different types of pilots are already eligible for retention bonuses of anywhere from $10,000 to $25,000 for each year they extend their contracts — anywhere from five years to nine years. That means pilots can get $50,000 to $225,000 to remain in uniform today.

With the percentage of pilots opting back in to take the retention bonuses plummeting, upping the ante might be the only tactic left that will ensure the USAF keeps its finest fliers. Remember, 1999 is 18 years ago — far too long a time for a lump sum of money to be adjusted. It’s imperative for the branch to make this benefit attractive, especially when its staring at the fact that more and more of its Vietnam-era pilots are retiring. By the end of the year, they’ll be short about 700 fighter pilots (according to estimates published by Defense One).