Press Release

Issued by Asian Sky Group.

October 31, 2016

With an unprecedented aviation personnel shortage hitting the region, Asian Sky Group (ASG) has announced the release of the Asia-Pacific Training School Report.

Offering a broad look at schools across the region, courses offered, industry segments served, certifications available, training equipment used, and student placements upon completion of each program, the Asia-Pacific Training School Report provides a detailed analysis of each country throughout the and provides an indication as to how prepared each country is, in regards to the shortage.

Highlights of the report:

- There are 359 aviation training facilities located throughout the Asia-Pacific region. Only 29 of these schools provide training for both fixed-wing and rotary, while most service one or the other.

- There are 2,908 fixed-wing aircraft used for training throughout the region and 590 helicopters used. The four-seat single-engine piston Cessna 172 is the most popular fixed-wing aircraft, accounting for 33% of the fixed-wing aircraft training fleet. While the Robinson 44 is the most popular rotary aircraft, accounting for 30% of the helicopter training fleet.

- There are 47 full fliight simulator (FFS) schools in the region. This includes simulators under the Federal Aviation Authority's four categories from A to D, varying from least to most realistic. Companies including CAE, Boeing, Airbus, Airbus Helicopters, and Flight Experience are a few of the big companies utilizing the FFS.

- Australia has the highest number of schools with 123, as well as the highest number of aircraft serving the aviation training segment. Several airline programs are based in the country including Cathay Pacific, China Airlines, Qantas, and Hainan Airlines, as well as others, indicating the country is a key player because of its space, high standards, and safety.

- Mainland China follows Australia, with 54 schools, as well as the second highest number of aircraft serving training facilities. The country's air traffic, expected to quadruple over the next two decades, makes China one of the world's busiest markets.

- Students training in Australia and New Zealand may use their certifications interchangeably between the two countries, without having to take additional courses or exams. This is allowed through the Mutual Recognition of Aviation-Related Certification. 

- Japan is the most expensive country to provide fixed-wing training, while India has some of the least expensive training programs. Helicopter training costs across the region are relatively similar for both PPL and CPL certifications, from country to country. However, CPL certifications are generally around three times the price of a PPL, across the region.

Also included in this report is an interview with Omni Aviation's president, Steven Virata, discussing the Philippine training school's success in the country. Aviatory Indonesia's president-director Ziva Narendra Arifin also provides insight on how the industry should handle the personnel shortage, as well as the company's expectations during this time.

“As the shortage of aviation professionals becomes more of a reality, the industry is rushing to find a solution,” says Asian Sky Group managing director, Jeffrey Lowe. “The Asia-Pacific Training School Report provides an analysis on the first responders to this issue; training schools. With this information, a better understanding is available.”

The Asia-Pacific Training School Report follows the success of ASG's highly-anticipated and industry-accepted Fleet Reports, which provide an annual comprehensive analysis of the business jet and civil helicopter fleets in the region, as well as the Quarter Report magazine which offers insight into the market on a quarterly basis.

This publication will be available digitally. For copies of all of ASG's reports, please visit www.asianskygroup.com/media-reports.