'Phl can become top exporter of pilots'

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippines can be a top exporter of pilots to meet the global demand for at least one million airline pilots and aircraft technicians, a party-list lawmaker said yesterday.

Liquefied Petroleum Gas Marketers’ Association (LPGMA) party-list Rep. Arnel Ty urged the national government to quickly draw up the necessary strategies that would enable the Philippines to capitalize on the looming global demand for more than one million new airline pilots and aircraft technicians.

“We ought to take full advantage of the forthcoming worldwide shortage of pilots and aircraft technicians, by preparing to produce and supply the required human resources, while assuring our future college graduates high-paying jobs,” Ty said.

This early, higher education and civil aviation authorities should consider encouraging college and technical school students to go into commercial pilot courses, aircraft maintenance and allied fields, he said.

“We Filipinos have a distinct advantage because, among other factors, our graduates are exceptionally fluent in English-the mandated international language of aviation, including aviation technology and electronics,” Ty said.

The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) requires all pilots and air traffic controllers to be highly competent in English.

Radio miscommunication between air traffic controllers and pilots with flawed and heavily accented English language skills have been blamed for a series of aviation accidents in other parts of the world.

He said Boeing Co. has forecast that airlines worldwide would need some 465,000 new pilots plus 601,000 new aircraft maintenance technicians between now and 2031.

The Chicago-based aircraft manufacturer based its projection on the two billion people, mostly from China and India, expected to enter the middle class and demand air travel, and on orders it has received for new jets for future delivery to international airlines.

Ty said given the right encouragement and support, the Philippines has the potential to grow as the world’s top exporter of new pilots and aircraft technicians.

He urged government to build up and modernize the little-known Philippine State College of Aeronautics (formerly the Philippine Air Force College of Aeronautics).