This has been known for quite a while, the push for controllers started a few years ago, the same goes for pilots. There are big time shortages of both on the Horizon, very few students learning to fly at my airport, And with rentals at $140 per hour Plus another $30 for the Instructor, it is rather expensive now. About 10K for your private when all is said and done. When I got my License it was still affordable by most. I spent 2K. And the Military is offering Huge signing bonuses for Pilots to STAY, most are leaving anyway.