Australian flying training provider Flight Training Adelaide is in discussions with an unidentified Asian customer and the operator's local regulator on launching a multi-crew pilot licence programme.
Chief executive Keith Morgan told delegates at June's SimTect simulation conference in Adelaide that this is the first time any operator in the region has shown an interest in MPL, the launch of which coincided with the "shortest pilot shortage in aviation history".
Parafield airport, South Australia-based Flight Training Adelaide primarily provides flying training to Asian carriers, including Cathay Pacific, China Airlines, Dragonair, Emirates, JAL Express, Qantas and Vietnam Airlines. Morgan says the Asian operator interested in MPL wants to use a corporate jet for the take-off and landing element of training instead of an airliner as part of its programme.
Australian MPL regulations are in place following Alteon's beta trial of the programme in the country, which resulted in six cadet pilots from China Eastern Airlines and Xiamen Airlines graduating late last year.
Australia had identified MPL as an opportunity to capture the flying training export market, especially in India and China, says Morgan. But today India has got 6,000 pilots in excess of its requirements following the downturn and unless Chinese customers "pay what it costs we can't do business". There is no appetite for MPL from Australian carriers, he adds.
Many concerns remain with MPL, says Morgan, including time and cost issues; the aircraft-simulator mix; regulation issues, including who regulates the line training in the operator's country; device and staff qualifications; and recognition.
"MPL is largely stalled while we sort out the issues," he says. "I think it can be done, but I'd like it done properly," he says, suggesting a gradual reduction in flying hours. Morgan believes MPL missed the opportunity to change the theory element of flying training, suggesting it could be done in 700h as opposed to 1,000h.
Meanwhile, Flight Training Adelaide hopes to have its Diamond DA42s back flying by the end of the year after re-engining the Thielert diesel-powered aircraft with Lycoming engines. The company grounded its DA42s after 13 uncommanded power losses, says Morgan.
Source: Flight International
