ID :
148995
Sun, 11/07/2010 - 09:06
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/148995
The shortlink copeid
AIRLINES URGED TO INVEST IN PILOT TRAINING
By Neville D'Cruz
MELBOURNE, Nov 6 (Bernama) -- The Australian and International Pilots Association (AIPA) has called on airlines to continue to invest in pilot training to prevent mishaps.
AIPA President Captain Barry Jackson said the recent mid-air incidents involing
Qantas aircraft were resolved safely because of the professionalism of the
pilots involved.
"Currently, there is a major push by airline management to reduce the cost of
pilots," he said in a statement Saturday.
He said Qantas pilots traditionally required a minimum of 1,000 hours of flying
experience and many had more than 2,000 hours under their belts before being
considered for a position.
"Several further years of experience and intensive training were required before
a pilot could hope to progress to a control seat," he said.
"It is through this system that the (Qantas) pilots, who have performed so
admirably in recent days, have progressed."
Jackson said the incidents, involving an Qantas Airbus A380 superjumbo and
Boeing 747-400, highlighted the critical link pilots play between shareholder
demands and the interests of the travelling public.
"It is well recognised that the demands on management to continually provide a
competitive outcome on the balance sheet are great.
"However, the travelling public also have a right to know that when they fly,
their interests are protected by pilots of the highest standards possible.
"Currently, we have pilots in Qantas who have been through this rigorous system
wasting away on assigned leave while their work is being handed offshore or to
subsidiaries without the same experience," he said.
-- BERNAMA
MELBOURNE, Nov 6 (Bernama) -- The Australian and International Pilots Association (AIPA) has called on airlines to continue to invest in pilot training to prevent mishaps.
AIPA President Captain Barry Jackson said the recent mid-air incidents involing
Qantas aircraft were resolved safely because of the professionalism of the
pilots involved.
"Currently, there is a major push by airline management to reduce the cost of
pilots," he said in a statement Saturday.
He said Qantas pilots traditionally required a minimum of 1,000 hours of flying
experience and many had more than 2,000 hours under their belts before being
considered for a position.
"Several further years of experience and intensive training were required before
a pilot could hope to progress to a control seat," he said.
"It is through this system that the (Qantas) pilots, who have performed so
admirably in recent days, have progressed."
Jackson said the incidents, involving an Qantas Airbus A380 superjumbo and
Boeing 747-400, highlighted the critical link pilots play between shareholder
demands and the interests of the travelling public.
"It is well recognised that the demands on management to continually provide a
competitive outcome on the balance sheet are great.
"However, the travelling public also have a right to know that when they fly,
their interests are protected by pilots of the highest standards possible.
"Currently, we have pilots in Qantas who have been through this rigorous system
wasting away on assigned leave while their work is being handed offshore or to
subsidiaries without the same experience," he said.
-- BERNAMA
