The "Booming" Australian Chopper Industry
I read an article in the current Australian Aviation magazine, actually it was a feature over several pages, which described a current boom in the helicopter industry. EMS helicopters are on the rise, the strong cattle industry is pushing the mustering component along, corporate chopper numbers are on the increase, there was basically no bad news at all about the industry other than the fact that Australia will run out of suitable pilots very soon. One large training provider suggests that we will need 150 or so new pilots every year for the next 5 years based upon predicted growth.
Now this is all sounds great but suspicions always run high when a training provider goes out and says that there are not enough pilots in training and everybody who wants a job in the chopper world would be advised to get in now as it's never been a better time.
So Aussie chopper pilots. Is this true? Are you riding the crest of a booming wave of helicopter expansion or is it just business as usual?
cheers
Vic