Centaurus, an excellent post that highlights the problems facing an aspiring pilot today who is deciding where to spend their dollar.
The industry is changing rapidly, the old paradigms are fading. I suspect that it will not be very long before the supply of airline pilots in Australia comes from cadet schemes. The supply of pilots is decreasing. Their may be an over-supply today, although even there I think there may be a shortage of experienced pilots in the general aviation ranks.
The manufacturers are stating that there will be a shortage of pilots in the future. Student numbers are falling around the world but demand for experienced pilots is on the increase but there is also an increasing demand for pilots to already have the endorsements required and time on type, even in the lower ranks of GA employers let alone the turbine operators.
It is these pressures that are driving the increase of pay-to-fly overseas and it will happen in Australia. Until it does, expect to see an increase in people offering to fly for free.
Last edited by PLovett; 27th July 2012 at 13:23.