Indonesian flying academies struggle to make up for pilot shortfall

It takes at least 18 months of training at a private flying academy before a trainee is issued a commercial pilot license, and that will make him employable by commercial airlines. Another six months of training would finally see the pilot fly a passenger aircraft.

In less than a year, 18-year-old trainee pilot Rizky Jasica could be flying a passenger airliner. "After graduation, I will apply to join a reputable Indonesian airline," she said.

However, Rizky would not have to wait until she graduates to get a job. Faced with a shortage of pilots, domestic airlines have resorted to hiring trainees while they are still in the academy.

Indonesia needs up to 800 new pilots annually as the country's aviation industry is growing at an unprecedented pace.

Captain Hassan Unang, deputy GM of the Bandung Pilot Academy, said: "Indonesian pilot schools can produce a maximum of 250 pilots a year. Normally, it is only 200."

There are about a dozen reputable private flying schools in Indonesia besides the government-run academy -- Bandung Pilot Academy, in West Java, is the latest.

Besides investing in the latest technology, the academy has to compete to get the best instructors who are highly sought after.

Endik Triwidarto, a Sukhoi-jet fighter instructor, was enticed to leave after more than 20 years in the Indonesian Air Force.

He said: "The difference is only in the uniform. The attitude, knowledge and skills remain the same. Maybe civilian flights are less complicated compared to military exercises. Not many manoeuvres compared to the military, but the basics are the same."

While waiting for these trainee pilots to graduate, local airlines have resorted to hiring foreigners to fly domestic routes. However, observers warn of the potential dangers.

Bambang Adisurya, director of the International Federation of Airline Pilots Associations, said: "They might look for cheap pilots from countries whose economy has collapsed; their airlines grounded and pilots unemployed. They are asked to fly in Indonesia. This is dangerous because they have no flying time in Indonesia. They've never seen Indonesia. That's how there have been instances of wrong landings."

There are an estimated 600 foreign pilots employed in Indonesia and experts have called for a proper endorsement system.

Chappy Hakim, a former air marshal with the Indonesian Air Force, said: "Standardisation system, endorsement licence -- that needs its own mechanism. On the other hand, businesses want everything fast. That's probably why there are sub-standard pilots."

There is also the added problem of Indonesian pilots who leave to work overseas -- most are lured by better salaries.

SOURCE

Indonesia must be the best place to be now for wide-eyed aviator wannabes. Even before you attain the coveted pilot license you're already being poached by hungry airlines in the country. Just how safe is aviation in Indonesia when there is a lack of experienced pilots in the field?