Carbary Says Industry Must Adjust To Increasing Demand For Pilots

"The aviation training industry needs to lower the cost of simulators, increase training quality and efficiency and reduce the time required to train pilots," Alteon Training President Sherry Carbary said in her keynote speech at the 10th Annual World Aviation Training Symposium and Tradeshow (WATS) in Orlando, Fl Tuesday.

Strong words... but Carbary maintains one of the most crucial issues facing the industry is the increasing demand for pilots, maintenance and cabin crew, and the training industry must adjust accordingly.

"Both Boeing and Airbus agree that the world's fleet will more than double over the next twenty years," Carbary said. "That means the world's airlines will need an additional 25,000 planes by 2025, in addition to the 17,000 planes that will already be in service.

"New planes will require more than 18,000 new pilots every year -- 360,000 pilots over the next 20 years -- on average, through 2025 as well as 480,000 new mechanics during that period of time," she added.

Pilot and maintenance training is a $3 billion business worldwide in the over 90 seat market. The cost of pilots, maintenance and cabin crews, and the associated training costs represent up to 20 percent of an airline's operating budget.

"As the need for training continues to rise, we must, as an industry, find a way to lower the costs," Carbary said.

Carbary also outlined the issues facing the aviation training industry and highlighted the roles and responsibilities of airlines, governments, regulators, training companies, simulator and airplane manufacturers to ensure the continued safety and reliability of the air transportation system.

Alteon Training is the aviation training partner of choice and the industry leader in providing airline-focused aviation training solutions. The company provides its partners with an expanding and integrated services portfolio that includes flight, technical and cabin-crew training.

Alteon is a wholly owned subsidiary of The Boeing Company within Boeing Commercial Airplanes' Commercial Aviation Services group. The training organization operates more than 80 full flight simulators in 24 locations around the world.

FMI: www.alteontraining.com