Feeling the pinch

The pilot recruitment cycle goes from bust to evident boom

There has been much discussion about a pilot shortage in recent times and there is only one thing for certain – there is far more than just one thing at play. Like James Reason’s ‘Swiss Cheese’ model, there have been many contributing factors over a period of time that have led to the current situation. Additionally, as the subject stepped into the mainstream media and was promoted to a so-called ‘crisis’ status, even more parties stepped forth to voice their perspective.

There were those who blamed forward planning, those who blamed CASA for putting costs and obstacles in the way, those who blamed poaching airlines and the call of overseas carriers and those who cited the lack of return in investing in an aviation career. To each party, their cause seemed valid, however it took the announcement of two-year working visas for foreign pilots to truly stir the hornet’s nest.