Ensure pilots meet the standards, says MAS

PETALING JAYA: There must be controls and proper tests in place to ensure those taking pilot courses meet the stringent standards required by airlines, said Malaysia Airlines operations director Capt Azharuddin Osman.

“The aviation industry in Malaysia is small with only two major airlines. If not properly controlled we will have an over supply of ‘under-qualified’ pilots,” he said, adding that MAS currently had 1,400 pilots.

On average, MAS recruited 100 cadets into its full scholarship cadet programme every year. For every 16 that apply, only one gets in.

Capt Azharuddin said pilots had to clock in at least 4,000 hours to captain a narrow body aircraft like a Boeing 737, which could take between eight to 10 years before progressing to a widebody aircraft.

“With the right qualifications, their chances of being employed by an airline would be better,” he said.

AirAsia had about 120 recruits last year.

Firefly’s marketing and communications head Angelina Corrina Fernandez said the frequency of the intake for new pilots depended on their network expansion.

Malaysian Flying Academy Sdn Bhd’s Lt Col (Rtd) Frank Chong Keng Lay acknowledged there was an oversupply of fresh graduate pilots, but said the situation would improve.

“Demand for pilots come in a cycle. For example, there was a shortage in 1995 as the enrolment was low.

“Recently, the intake is higher but the demand from airlines has not been growing at the same pace.”