Originally Posted by
ORAC
Perhaps narrow that to a global shortage of Irish* pilots with military fixed wing or rotary experience.
* Citizens of other EU/EEA nations can apply though I am unsure of the language requirements. Are applicants required to hold a qualification in Gaelic?
It’s an odd one, to have the minimum educational requirements you need to have a Leaving Cert ( end of secondary school ) which de facto includes Irish. If however, you can demonstrate you didn’t receive primary level Irish ( if you’re an EU citizen, of Irish descent or otherwise), you get a waiver on that.
All foot drill orders are however given in Irish, but you are usually helped along by the NCOS with your motivation to pick up a few words...
The global shortage statement probably dates from before the full impact of Covid 19 hit. Nevertheless, the re-entries of late are all on limited time contracts ( as far as I know anyway). Once the world recovers, the same underlying issues will remain to be solved in some way.
It would seem like a due reward to all inside the gates at Bal to have long term solutions lined up by then.