Pilot Numbers

[runway16]

Got my latest copy of the mag Australian Aviation yesterday. Startling to read about the dropping number of pilots here in Australia.

PPL holders 15,498 in 2004. 11,448 in 2006. A big drop!
CPL holders 6,712 in 2001. 3,686 in 2006. That is a huge drop. Little wonder that the airlines are hard pressed to fill the cockpits of their kero burners.
ATPL holders rose from 6,025 in 2004. 6,226 in 2006. Not enough to even keep abeam the increased demand.

There is a lot of flying going on at the sausage factories but my guess is that most of the pilots trained there are going to pick up a ticket and go back home overseas.

My guess is that things are going to get worse as there are fewer and fewer experienced instructors around.

Any thoughts on the reasons for the drop in numbers?

[ForkTailedDrKiller]

I can think of at least 20+ people who gained their PPL in Oz around the time that I did. Many went on to own their own aeroplanes. Some even purchased new aeroplanes. I can only come up with 4 or five who have flown in the last 10 years.

I did my CPL in NZ. Most of my fellow CPL trainees from that time are now with various airlines.

Dr

Reason for the decline in PPL numbers? Beggared if I know - competition for the disposable $ ?

[Aussie]

I think you can say a few have taken off overseas! I did my JAA ATPLS in Aus with WAAC, and that place has many aussies packing up and moving OS!