Pilot shortage near 'crisis level'

[straitman]

From News.com.au

Pilot shortage near 'crisis level'

 

[Chucksta]

Part of the reason is the amount of money student pilots have to spend.

It cost me over $20,000 to get my PPL. (I'm more than happy with a PPL!)

To get my CPL, it was estimated at $60,000 on top of what I already spent for a PPL but would include a night rating and retractable undercarriage / CSU endorsement.

You need to spend around $150,000 before you are attractive enough for the airlines (usually aerobatics rating, twin engine endorsement, IFR and command instrument rating)

 

[dajop]

Just how bad is the situation? Regional Express (Rex) estimates Australia will need an additional 1800 pilots over the next two years but will train well under half that number.

Oh don't you love media misquotes. Whilst there is a good message to the story, perhaps this quote should read 180 pilots ... 1800 pilots would be enough to operate around 200 aircraft.