EASYUNI Ultimate University Guide 2013 2014: Issue 2 | Page 44

E XC L U S IVE F EAT U RE Unfortunately, there are not enough pilots. Boeing has estimated that 192,300 new pilots will be needed in AsiaPacific in the next 20 years; 99,700 needed in Europe; 85,700 in North America; 48,600 in Latin America and 40,000 in the Middle East. Many countries such as the US and even Vietnam have already reported a shortage of pilots for now, that there are plans to recall pilots who have been granted leave of absence. This shortage is not driven by the expansion of airlines alone. Other factors include a large number of pilots approaching the retirement age of 65 in the US, the increased training of pilots and extended rest period of 10 hours. The minimum number of flying hours required for co-pilots in the US has also been increased to 1,500 hours, just as many as captains. All these only serve to indicate that demand for pilots is high around the world. Cargo pilot Flight instructor This option is for pilots who have already graduated and would like to be instructors. Flight instructors will be based at flying schools, either military or civilian, to hone the skills of new pilots. Lessons will cover safety, aviation history and flying procedures. Also known as freight pilots, cargo pilots’ scope of work is similar to commercial pilots, except that cargo pilots carry cargo instead of passengers. Pilots who have worked carrying both passengers and cargo have reported that it is easier to carry cargo than having to deal with the varied antics of passengers. Another plus point is that cargo pilots earn more than commercial ones but delivery flights often take off at night. Commercial pilot The types of pilots Did you know that there are more than 25 types of pilots? And the shortage applies across all types. Here are some of the more common types of pilots: These are the ones that fly you to your holidays. As a commercial pilot, you can fly domestic or international, depending on your experience and the airline you are attached to. You will get to fly various types of passenger airplanes but you will first undergo training and certification on each type used by the company. Military pilots If you have a higher level of adrenaline than an average pilot, plus some daredevil instincts, you might be suited for military service. Military pilots transport troops, equipment and supplies to service zones. They also conduct both combat and humanitarian missions. Some military pilots are employed as test pilots to evaluate new and advanced fighter jets, planes and helicopter prototypes. Test pilots There are three types of test pilots: flight research, developmental flight test, and production flight test. Flight research pilots, also known as experimental flight pilots, fly airplanes that have never been tested or planes that were developed for scientific research. But before the flight research pilots can start work, the developmental flight pilots will make sure that the prototypes are safe to be tested by first testing the parts of each craft. Production flight pilots will inspect the planes as soon as they come off the assembly line to make sure that the planes confirm to the design specifications. easyuni Guide 2014 Issue 2 41