Manpower problems, particularly in engineering, could stymie helicopter expansion
If the Australasian helicopter fleet continues to grow at the rate it has over the past decade, the industry will run into major manpower problems, predicts the Helicopter Association of Australasia (HAA).
The manpower problem, particularly the shortage of engineers, is one of the four major factors that threaten future growth of the industry in Australia, New Zealand and Papua New Guinea, says the HAA. The other threats are the US dollar, the health of the beef industry (with cattle mustering being the largest application for helicopters in Australia) and the tourist trade.
Australia has almost 1,300 helicopters registered in the country, New Zealand 660 and Papua New Guinea has an estimated 60. The helicopter fleets in Australia and New Zealand are both growing at twice the rate of the economy – at about 8% of the gross domestic product, according to the HAA.
Over the last 11 years the Australian civil helicopter fleet has grown from 649 to 1,297, with the single-engine fleet increasing by 90% and twin-engined helicopters climbing by 700%. Based on this growth, the HAA predicts that the Australian fleet will grow to 1,900 helicopters in 2010, while New Zealand’s fleet will grow to 860.
An increase of one helicopter creates 1.1 jobs, but the region is already suffering a severe shortage of engineers and a shortage of employable crew. The growth of the Asia-Pacific airline industry has resulted in many helicopter engineers moving into that sector. In addition, the training industry is suffering from a shortage of instructors as many move into turbine types to fill vacant crew seats at search and rescue and emergency services bases. “The worst hurt is yet to come,” says the association.
EMMA KELLY / PERTH
Source: Flight International