Sure there is GA which I am not discounting at all but there are some indications the level of GA is/has been shringking over a number of years though there is possibibly some increase in the mining service industry.
This problem has been around for years way back into the late fifties at least, ebbing and flowing depending on supply and demand. Reviewing the Boeing and Airbus figures of expected fleet numbers correlated to flight crew numbers there clear evidnece of a looming crew shortage.
Are the flying schools here producing sufficient pilots?
How will the youth of today be shown an career in aviation is a worhwhile career? (particulary when they have to come up with significant money to pay for training, ratings and getting a job not initially paying much more than a clerk)
Managment in the end is not interested in experience, working conditions per se; they just want flight crew to fill the seats and do the job for the lowest possible cost. If 250hour co-pilots can fulfill this requirement (and they can) why hire others perhaps requiring higher crew costs?
They will use all their might and powers to convince the regulator and leglaalors of this. A persuasive argument is the many, many operators who operate safely around the world daily with these crews.
Was the introduction of the multi crew licence a step in this direction?
Most probably and if the arguments of pilots here are correct and is to be supported, pilots were noticeably absent in lobbying to prevent the introduction of this concept.
Technology is available, tried and tested for many years that it is not inconceiveable to suggest the next step could well be the removal of the requirement for Co-pilots?
Certainly a concept management could fully support.
Last edited by Dark Knight; 20th Sep 2010 at 04:09.
Reason: speellling & addition