Pilot shortage good for business
Massey University is expanding its aviation school amid a global shortage of pilots.
The shortfall placed pressure on aviation schools and training centres to continue feeding skilled staff into the industry, business development manager Anke Smith said.
The university hosted 120 prospective students at its school of aviation open day on Saturday, the biggest turnout since the centre opened.
A 20-year forecast predicted the world would require another 266,000 pilots by 2040, Smith said.
The university has responded by last week opening a new aviation centre at Palmerston North Airport.
It provided extended classroom facilities and homed a new simulator.
Construction was also under way on stage two, which would allow the aviation school to move completely from the Manawatu¯ campus across town to the airport under one roof.
The pilot shortage reflected aviation growth in the Middle East and China at a time where many older pilots were retiring, Smith said.
‘‘That is a significant pilot shortage and it’s not something that can be easily solved.
‘‘There’s pressure on training centres to move them through the pipeline.’’
Smith said Manawatu¯ had an ideal environment for trainee pilots.
The air space was not crowded and the region enjoyed a range of weather conditions, which students needed to be trained in.
More than 55 trial flights were booked during the open day to allow prospective students to experience a flight in one of Massey’s Diamond DA 40 aircraft.
Representatives from Jetstar, Airways NZ, Palmerston North Airport and border security attended and students were offered short tours of the airport’s control tower.
A 20-year forecast predicted the world would require another 266,000 pilots by 2040.