Asia would need 180,600 pilots an 220,000 maintenance crew in next 20 years

   

The United States plane maker Boeing reports that the global commercial
aviation industry needs more than a
million pilots and maintenance crew in
the next 20 years, with Asia
accounting for almost 40% of the
demand. It estimates world demand at 466,650 pilots and 596,500
maintenance personnel from 2010 to
2029, of whom 180,600 pilots and
220,000 mechanics would be needed
in Asia.
Aviation is an exciting and rewarding industry for those who aspire to be an
airline pilot or an aircraft engineer.
Both courses require a lot of discipline,
hard work and passion.
Most countries, including Malaysia,
Australia, India, the Philippines, China, Indonesia, and Thailand, are members
of nternational Civil Aviation
Organisation (ICAO).

Member countries
recognise one another’ s licence. However, if one plans on working in
another member country, he will need
to convert his licence to a local licence.
In most cases, one is required to pass
the local aviation medical, local
conversion exam or abridged course and flight test
Entry requirements for piloting and
aircraft engineering may vary. For
Malaysian students, they have to be at
least 17 years, have completed SPM or
‘ O’ Levels or UEC SML with five credits in English, Mathematics, and any
science subjects, have adequate
English Language competency or IELTS
score of a minimum of 5.5, a pass in
the Class One Medical Examination by
approved Designated Aviation Medical Practitioner (pilot students only) and
have a valid international passport.
Student pilot will progress through
different stages. At each of the six
stages, there is a practical flight
training and test, and ground theory followed by exams.
Stage 1: Student Pilot Licence (SPL) – Basic entry requirements, pass class 1
medical, security clearance;
Stage 2: Private Pilot Licence (PPL) – 40-50 hours flying, theory subjects – navigation, flight rules, meteorology,
human factors in flight and aircraft
general knowledge. PPL is for private
flying only;
Stage 3: Commercial Pilot Licence (CPL)
– 150-165 hours flying, minimum 100 hours solo flight time, VFR (Visual
Flying Rules). Exams subjects – navigation, flight rules, aircraft general
knowledge, aircraft performance,
aerodynamic, human factors in flight
and meteorology. All flying through to
CPL flight test is in a single engine
aircraft – Cessna 152, Cessna 172 and is under VFR;
Stage 4: Multi Engine Command
Instrument Rating (MECIR). After
completing the CPL, one is given 15-25
hours on multi-engine with flight
simulator training and endorsements to fly twin-engine aircraft, and also to
read the instruments in the flight deck
for IFR (Instrument Flying Rules)
flying. CPL holders have to pass a
theory exam IREX;
Stage 5: Airline Transport Pilot Licence (ATPL). Some airlines also require
students to complete an ATPL theory
and students are given a frozen ATPL
licence that can be activated only with
at least 1,500 hours of flight time;
Stage 6: Airlines. After completing CPL/ MECIR, students can apply for jobs
with airlines. The airlines will further
train the student on aircraft type
rating, simulator and on the job
training.