Drop in number of trainee pilots in NZ

NELSON: The number of people training to become pilots in New Zealand over the last decade has dropped.

In 2009, 150 commercial aeroplane pilot licences were issued. That number has dropped to about 75 so far this year.

Nelson Pilot Training director David Marriott said two reasons stood out.

‘‘It’s really expensive to be a commercial pilot these days, and the other reason is that there’s actually a lack of resources.

‘‘Because there’s such demand for airline pilots, all the instructors — who’ve historically not been well remunerated — have gone off to airlines and there’s noone left to teach people.’’

Mr Marriott said it could cost between $120,000 and $150,000 to become a commercial pilot through training schools with NZQA approval and CAA certification. It costs about half that to get a recognised qualification through an aero club or small flight school.

Air New Zealand said Boeing predicted the AsiaPacific region would lead worldwide growth in demand for pilots over the next 20 years, which would require about 250,000 new pilots. — RNZ