Funny. As usual, the government is supposed to cough up. If there is a significant shortage, there would be reduced unemployment among the pilots - it never happens, meaning there is no shortage. There is a shortage of experienced pilots but it is combined with unwillingness of the operators to train the low-time pilots so they rely on the government to create favourable conditions. What is better to be done is to create favourable conditions for the low time pilots to progress - reduce barriers on small air operators, allow training in small companies to be subsidised, etc. In the past there were alternative routes for the pilots to expand their experience - mail runs, check runs, parachute drops, glider tows - now it has dwindled to pretty much nothing.
Last edited by sgenie; 9th Jan 2019 at 20:09.
Reason: Wanted to add more info