Training Providers Scramble To Meet Middle East’s Pilot Shortfall
According to a recent report by Boeing, the Middle East will need more than 37,000 pilots to fly the aircraft due to be delivered there over the next 20 years. But the region faces a serious lack of adequate training facilities. “Pilot requirements for the Gulf region will grow at a faster rate than local pilots can be trained,†concluded Boeing in its latest pilot and technician forecast.
The industry is waking up to the challenge, but there are doubts as to whether it is ready for the kind of growth now being anticipated. “Everyone is saying the same thing,†Flight Safety International (FSI) executive vice president Eric Hinson told AIN. “There will definitely be a pilot shortage if the levels of available training can’t keep pace.â€
Adding to the problem is the fact that many U.S. pilots who moved to the Middle East a few years ago to take advantage of the better conditions are returning to the U.S. to fill slots left by those now reaching retirement. “This means there will be even fewer pilots available for the growth in the Middle East,†he added.
Emirates told AIN that it alone needs an additional 500 pilots for each of the next two years to meet its outstanding 192-aircraft order book and expanding route network. All of its nine existing flight simulators have been supplied by CAE and located in the Emirates Aviation College facility.
“There is a severe shortage of pilots in the Middle East and India, especially on Boeing 737 and Airbus A320 types,†said Mariamo. “A big delivery cycle is coming to Etihad, Emirates and several Indian airlines, so there is a huge demand for training. Pilots are coming in with very low hours.â€
The second facility at ECFT will open in 2012 to provide additional training capacity for airline pilots and aviation maintenance technicians and will initially house four full-flight simulator bays with plans to expand to as many as 10. The first units will be for the Airbus A320 and Boeing 737 families.
13/11/11 Julian Moxon/AIN Online
There are several CPL holders in India. ME airlines can opt for them and train them as per their standards. No pilot is born with 4000 Hrs of command on type.
ya i agree with RR no pilots are born with ATPL and 4000 hrs of command this report seems like bull shit
why these people wants to ruin students life…. there s no such a vacancy and not at all demand of pilots there r almost 5000 cpl holder sitting in india for a job
I just want to know how to contact these middle east airline i am cpl+a320 type rated pilot. i meant by consultants (name)
The training schools are suffocation as there are already plenty of CPL holders sitting without jobs for years, possibly it is a paid news from training institutions. Anyone now going for flying training must do his/her homework well before taking a plunge.
why these people need pilots who have about 4000hrs experience.there are many cpl holders in India.They can opt this cpl holders and train as per their standards ……
yes there is a huge demand for pilots in Asia but they failed mentioned that only experienced pilots on type are in demand….
Very true..more than 5000 pilots are waiting for a job..no one will get a rating without surity of job..