Malaysian Flying Academy Clearing More Pilots For Takeoff

[Chaity 1]

MWings was invited to attend and extended a copy of their press release plus photos below from their PR company.

 

For those attended the event, can post your photos here.

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The Malaysian Flying Academy (MFA) is preparing for an increase in demand for pilots in view of an expected upturn in the aviation industry by increasing its investment in new equipment, training facilities and capabilities.

Established in 1983, the pioneer in professional flight training sees a demand for some 26,000 pilots in Asia alone over the next decade where new airlines are proliferating and existing ones are expanding their fleets.

 

“Airlines are already preparing for the next upswing in the industry which is already showing clear signs of recovery, especially with demand for aircraft by new and low-cost airlines,” said MFA Principal, Captain Stephen Michael Terry.

 

“We’re seeing encouraging load factors in the low-cost carriers and their success is going to contribute to the demand for more flight crews,” said Terry at a media briefing in Kuala Lumpur today.

 

MFA has planned a capital expenditure of some RM15 million in new training aircraft, flight simulators and facilities, as well as the possibility of offering jet training.

 

The Malacca based academy currently has 21 instructors, which meets the Department of Civil Aviation’s recommended ratio of one instructor for every six cadets and intends to enhance that to one instructor for every four cadets.

 

It is also planning to transform its current status as an Approved Flight Training Organisation (AFTO) to a Type Rating Training Organisation (TRTO) that will allow cadets to be operationally ready when they graduate as they will not require any additional training on commercial jets.

 

Terry also said it is time more young women to consider becoming pilots as the job responsibilities on an aircraft are not defined by gender.

 

 

“Many young girls are not aware that it is a career option for them and we want to change that perception and help them with the many opportunities in the industry,” added Stephen.

 

Over the past three decades, MFA has successfully trained and continues to train cadet pilots for major airlines such as Malaysia Airlines, AirAsia, Singapore Airlines, Silk Air, Jetstar Airways and Air Mauritius, as well as air regiments from Polis DiRaja Malaysia.

 

MFA cadet pilot alumni have come from as far afield as Australia, Portugal, France, Hungary, Maldives, Mauritius, Myanmar, Iraq, Iran, Libya, United Arab Emirates, India, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Thailand, Hong Kong, Finland, Japan, Oman, Yemen, Singapore and Malaysia.

 

The cadets graduate with a Commercial Pilot License with Instrument Rating (CPL/IR) , which is designed to train a person to become a full-fledged pilot with commercial airlines.

 

Edited February 21, 2014 by Chaity

[Amirul Mazlan 0]

Yawnnnn.. Purely marketing. There have never been a pilot shortage. But pilot wannabe shortage, yes. That's their revenue. Will say anything to get people enrolled into flying course.

 

P/s: my comment is not to belittle the graduation ceremony coverage by MWings.