New pilot training programs

As many readers will understand, for years, employers have relied on a ready supply of young people who would just about go without food to become pilots, and pay for the privilege. Not so any more. Well paid careers with a high technical content are plentiful for the right candidates, and you are at home most nights. Aviation can no longer rely on being the sexiest career on offer. The industry must provide affordable training packages, reasonable conditions and have an understanding that many people will have families at some point in their lives. Aviation training is in the process of moving from the former culture to the latter and must be encouraged further down this path.

“It is encouraging that some of the major carriers are now beginning to shoulder their pilot training responsibilities.”

Given the aviation training challenges in countries in Australia’s immediate region there is no doubt that carriers operating in the Asia-Pacific region could take more advantage of our attractive training environment. Some of these carriers are having difficulty penetrating wider operational markets because of audited shortfalls with respect to a range of ICAO, EASA and FAA standards. If invited and it was managed carefully, Australia could pursue a greater aviation training leadership role for our near neighbours.

The international market has already opened up for engineer training with candidates from many countries in our training facilities. In some respects, engineer training has led the way and we should further encourage the development of our local and international pilot training facilities. It should be noted that Australia has a long history in training pilots from overseas with excellent facilities already established in most cities.

As I have said before, there is no reason that Australia cannot be the trainer of choice across all the aviation professions. We have the natural ingredients but need the political will and the entrepreneurial savvy to bring it to reality. Being the world’s largest island and smallest continent has worked for and against Australia’s aviation development. On one hand Australia would not be the same modern democracy without aviation’s ability to deliver people and services to emerging local markets and opportunities. On the other hand, trying to populate and develop this enormous landmass has occupied most of our energy with less time available to analyse all the commercial opportunities in countries nearby.

There is no doubt that with respect to aviation training Australia holds many of the best cards. Great strides have been made and Rex’s new pilot training academy at Wagga Wagga is testimony to this increasing confidence. The industry has come a long way already but with the emerging middle classes of China, India and south-east Asia on our door step we must be prepared to scale up quickly and efficiently.

Don’t forget to register for the RAAA Convention at the Hyatt Coolum 15-17 September. We will be celebrating the RAAA’s 30th year and it will be a great chance to have your say where the regional aviation industry should focus next.