AviationCV.com: pilots should take the initiative in achieving their career goals

For some time now aviation industry experts have been observing a continuous development of the global airline fleet leading to the increasing demand for pilots thus naturally expending the shortage of skilful pilots even more. However, one of the ways of improving the situation is assisting already licensed pilots with getting the required experience which would grant them the access to the commercial airline job market. Unfortunately, since providing flight experience for the upcoming generation of commercial pilots implies extra expenses for aircraft operators, not every carrier is willing to provide such assistance in overcoming the global pilot shortage issue. But there are other practices for the pilots to acquire the required experience and enter the market, including so-called ‘Pay-to-Fly’ schemes, which is a reasonable solution with regard to the matter.

‘There are various solutions aimed at helping younger pilots to acquire additional flight experience. However, in order to provide a pilot the aforementioned, airlines are ought to ensure specific conditions for the training, which include Type Instructors, Safety pilots and other special requirements. Naturally, all of these imply additional 5-digit expenses. And this is a topical issue in the pilot community around the world, since there is no consensus on who should pay for it. Senior pilots remain rather sceptical about investing personal funds in getting the first multi engine jet hours as they are confident that it is airlines’ concern to provide pilots with the necessary experience. Furthermore, they are concerned with the threat of the over-commercialized industry. The scepticism of the senior pilot generation might also be driven by the fact that the investing personal funds in one’s career helps young pilots to gain the experience required by potential employers faster thus promoting the unwanted competition,’ commented the CEO of AviationCV.com Skaiste Knyzaite.

Of course, the majority of pilots would prefer if the airlines provided them with the required experience at their own expense. However, in Europe many airlines are currently suffering from financial problems whilst some of them are even on the doorstep of bankruptcy. For that reason, currently airlines are rather sceptical about investing in unskilful pilots. As a result, the situation urges pilots to consider investing into their carriers themselves.

At this point, some pilots may be reluctant to invest in the desired flight hours from their own funds. Despite the scepticism of some pilots, the aforementioned solution is actually an opportunity for the younger generation to obtain the experience and become professional pilots, as well as to gain access to the commercial airline job market. But while some self-sponsored pilots are taking out extra loans, this may not seem to be the best solution for others as they might not have the possibility of taking any additional financial burden, or are just waiting for the situation in the airline industry to improve.

‘The fear of paying for multi-engine hours might be entirely unfounded as not every ‘Pay-to-Fly’ scheme implies the necessity of paying for the additional training on your own. For instance, such independent pilot-assisting agencies as AviationCV.com offer customized solutions, which provide pilots with the required flight experience, as well as with firm contracts with a commercial airline. Initially all of the financial issues are being handled by the agency, and the pilot receives the opportunity to postpone the payments, conducting them only while already working for commercial airlines. It is a commonly-spread practice to invest in one’s future and qualification, whether you are a pilot or an engineer. That is why pilots shouldn’t deprive themselves of any opportunities to become real professionals,’ commented Skaiste Knyzaite.