WAIKATO AERO/SUNAIR AIRLINE PROGRAM

[vgp]

waikato aero club having a go at doing what CTC does?.

FROM WAIKATO TIMES TODAY-STUFF WEBSITE.
Plan aims at more pilots
By WARWICK RASMUSSEN - Waikato Times | Monday, 03 December 2007



Hamilton-based Waikato Aero Club and Tauranga-based Sunair Aviation have launched a new airline training programme aimed at getting more commercial pilots in the sky.


Club training manager Gordon Malcolm said the agreement was one of the first in the country to chart a clear pathway from flight training to working in an airline.

Sunair chief executive Dan Power said the development would go a small way to dealing with a shortage of trained flight crew. Waikato Aero Club already trains pilots working towards a diploma in aviation science.

The new scheme will link students who have finished basic training to a pre-employment interview with Sunair and the club. Mr Malcolm said he hoped the programme would put through between 10-15 people each year. It takes effect immediately.

[flyjoe180]

More commercial pilots, and the scent of guaranteed money through student loans funding.

[fletcherfu24]

Heres another gravy train that must run off the rails eventually........how many CPL's are running around with 6 figure student loans?.Its alright if you go airline flying,but if you end up instructing at the local aero club,thats one big monkey to get off your back.
I guess the Sunair connection allows trans oceanic flights to Motiti Island at least.

[Bruce]

And that is why I am not flying at my local aero club now - recreational pilots (which is what an Aero club is supposed to be about) are treated as a side line, only a small amount better than pond scum. Student pilots arent treated too badly, as they pay their way, but if you have a PPL and dont want to go to CPL, well, theres something wrong with you....
(WAC isnt the only club with this problem, but that is the main reason I'm doing my BFR revision and tailwheel rating in Tauranga)

[flyjoe180]

I agree with you Bruce most aero clubs have become proft driven through training CPL etc. I guess they have to have something to keep them going through the week though, there is alot of competition out there. Auckland had a pretty good balance I thought, the weekends were primarily casual recreational days, and the week days were a mixture. There was no reserving of aircraft for advanced students over a recreational pilot. At least, there wasn't while I was there.