Aviation Australia offers to train Indian pilots

Costs will be reasonable, govt will be open-minded, assures AA

BY A CORRESPONDENT
February 18, 2006

Queensland-based Aviation Australia (AA), set up by the Australian government to support the development and growth of the aviation industry in the Asia-Pacific region, is looking to bridge the gap the Indian aviation will be facing in the coming years in terms of shortage of 500-1,000 pilots per year. The recent Sahara pilots' strike drove home the talent shortage affecting Indian aviation industry.

Demands increase not just for pilots, but also ground staff, with 1,000-odd aircraft expected to hit Indian skies by next year. David Plumpton, business development manager, Aviation Australia (AA) said that "With the imminent massive shortage of personnel here, they need to be trained here or sent abroad. But, sending people abroad for training costs a lot."

Training in Australia is expected to be cheaper than in the US by as much as 10%, and as much as 50% if compared to European institutions. Further, George Crofts, CEO of the Australian Wings Academy Pty Ltd, pointed out to Business Line, that post-9/11, the US is not too keen on training pilots of Asian origin. Thus, Australia would be the right choice for low-cost airlines looking for fully-trained pilots.

One option seems to be what Air Commodore (retd) J Varkey, General Secretary of the Bangalore-based body of Indian aerospace industries, SIATI is suggesting. According to him, "It would be ideal if we could work out a model to offer technical training in India and a more reasonable practical flying session in Australia or elsewhere." The SIATI's aim has been to reduce the cost of training pilots abroad.

According to Stephen I Wilson, chairman, Dean Wilson Aviation, two-seater aircraft-making company, "Bangalore's aerospace capabilities are under-promoted." Commissioner, trade and investment office of Queensland government, David Belham feels that both countries could benefit. He emphasized that "We are not taking away jobs from here. We only want to help strengthen the aviation industry here."

Steve Wilson's company is trying to fit in its small plane, the Whitney Boomerang. They are also considering sourcing 20 per cent of the components, worth Aus$2-3 million, out of India.