[Peetwo]

MT/BJ Govt Aviation report card - Part II. 

Again from Annabel, via the Oz... :
 

Aviation faces training crisis

12:00amANNABEL HEPWORTH

A report has pointed to the cost of pilot and maintenance training as among several ‘challenges’ facing general aviation.

---

A flagship report has pointed to the cost of pilot and maintenance training as among several “challenges” facing Australia’s once-vibrant general aviation industry.

Amid a cabinet reshuffle that has seen Barnaby Joyce take on aviation, the report by the Bureau of Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Economics says “opportunities” for the industry and government to respond include targeted measures to boost training and retention of pilots and maintenance staff in general aviation.

The study confirmed the decline in general aviation, saying the sector — which is important to regional communities — had been shrinking since 2010.

General aviation provides connections to areas not serviced by airlines and covers work outside commercial transport operations including mustering, flying training, private flying and firefighting.

Royal Flying Doctor Service of Australia chief executive Martin Laverty, chairman of the federal government’s General Aviation Advisory Group, said the group was working on a policy framework “GA Flight Plan” that tried to boost industry capability through better workforce development.

Mr Laverty said this area offered prospects for growth in the GA sector.

In previous shortages of pilots, Australia’s major airlines recruited from either Defence or regional carriers, while regionals in turn recruited from GA.

“But the workforce well that general aviation has historically provided is drier than in the past,” Mr Laverty said. “It’s not likely to be refilled without help.”

Even the Royal Flying Doctor Service was experiencing shor­tages of pilots and engineers. “If the flying public want continued on-time, cheap but safe flights, a plentiful supply of aviation workers is key. Aviation workers are drawn from the full aviation ecosystem, which means ensuring the sustainability of the workforce in general aviation.”

The BITRE report, which was announced last year by then transport minister Darren Chester, came amid warnings that the sector had been struck by skyrocketing costs and red tape.

“Several GA sectors, including private flying and flight training activities, have experienced significant decreases since 2010, but this has been partially offset by increases in other areas, such as aerial mustering and search- and-rescue activity,” the report found.

MTF...P2