Irene King at it again! More pilot shortages
From the CAA Website
"AIA Pilot Recruitment and Flight Training Standards Forum
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Following-on from a round table discussion held at the Aviation Industry Association’s recent conference, the Air Transport Division and the Flight Training Division Chairpersons have agreed to hold a further forum to discuss a number of specific issues affecting the airlines/air transport and flight training industries in New Zealand.
What are the problems?
There are several issues:
an aging work force
a strong and growing demand for pilots, based on healthy economic growth in our two key sectors of tourism/travel and agriculture
a student loan scheme that caps the number of fully funded pilots under training
increased competition in the school-leaver market from other industries perceived as more attractive
a perception that pre-selection procedures can be improved
a desire by many in the flight training industry to see a seamless transition into full-time gainful employment as a professional pilot
a requirement that all certificated Part 119 operators have an appropriately trained and resourced organisation, including experience levels commensurate with the organisation’s operating risk.
How do we intend to resolve these issues?
We have spent a few years discussing these issues. It is now time to become proactive and develop an integrated strategy that addresses each of the issues identified above systematically.
Broadly grouping the issues, we have:
Increasing the supply of pilots into the Industry, eg school leavers, foreign pilots, the 'cap'
Ab initio training – preselection standards and evaluation
Training standards, including regulatory changes, and the Industry raising the 'benchmark'
Progression into air transport and the airlines
Part 119 operators - what do they really need?
Each of these issues will be worked through, with the intention of identifying all the critical factors, and developing a business plan to resolve each of these issues in an integrated and systematic way.
Time/Venue
BP House, Ground Floor, cnr of Johnston St and Customhouse Quay (entry off Johnston St)
Wellington
9:00 am
25 August 2004
Break-out groups will be organised to discuss each of the issues and to report back. It may be necessary for a small caucus to stay overnight to further progress issues.
Who is invited to participate?
All with an interest in flight training, pilot recruitment, and the future of certificated Part 119 operations in New Zealand, the Civil Aviation Authority, officials, professional pilot organisations, and individuals with an interest in the future of aviation.
Irene King and Warren Sattler
Chairs of the Air Transport and Flight Training Divisions of AIA"
Groan,
I mean if you want more pilots why don't you try and lure back the HUGE number of qualified pilots who are NOT flying aircraft but pumping gas so they can pay back their 60 thousand dollar loans.... It's a little hard to pay a loan back when you are getting paid less than the unemployment benefit to do a job you just paid 60k to learn how to do...
I dare you to start rewarding professionals for the professional job that they do.