Pilot shortage a wake-up call

WHAT goes around comes around (“Foreign pilots let in to plug shortage”, Mercury, December 29). Given the high costs of obtaining a commercial pilot’s licence and instrument rating then progressing through the ranks of general aviation to rack up the required number of hours for a “look in” at airline level employment-wise is a huge commitment for young aspirants in the aviation industry.

Many years ago the Mercury offered flying scholarships to aspiring young pilots and TAA had a Cadet Pilot Training Scheme. The pilots dispute back in the 80s is a classic example of foreign pilots in conjunction with the RAAF stepping in and doing a wonderful job. Pilots in demand at airline level in an affluent country such as Australia is a wake-up call to all involved in the lucrative aviation industry.

Fish farm alert

MOST Tasmanians would be unaware of a proposal to extensively farm fish in waters off the Tasman and Forestier peninsulas, areas renowned for their wildness, beauty and tourist magnetism. We already have fish farms, we do not want any more. Join us in protecting our precious coastal waters. Submissions must be registered by January 17. successfully govern the state. No doubt Laborites would be able to trot out just as many headlines saying the same thing about the present government. So it does behove politicians to be wary of casting the first stone when they are so vulnerable to the same charge of being negative.