Thai Pilots Association Calls on Government to Address "Pay to Fly" Scheme & Foreign Pilots

[Georgealbert]

 

 

Picture courtesy of Thai Pilots Association.

 

The Thai Pilots Association has made a public appeal to the newly formed government to urgently address key concerns affecting the aviation industry, including the controversial "Pay to Fly" scheme, the use of foreign pilots under wet lease agreements, and regulations regarding retired pilots. These issues, they argue, have far-reaching implications for both the future of Thai pilots and the country's aviation safety standards.

 

"Pay to Fly" Scheme Burdening Aspiring Pilots

 

One of the association's primary concerns is the "Pay to Fly" program, where aspiring pilots are required to pay up to 6 million baht for training and type rating certifications, a necessary step for securing job opportunities with airlines. The association pointed out that this practice imposes a heavy financial burden on new pilots, restricting access to the profession for many talented individuals who are unable to afford the exorbitant fees.

 

"Many aspiring pilots are forced into significant debt, which adds to their stress levels and can impact their performance and safety. We need a balanced solution that ensures fair access to pilot training," a spokesperson for the association stated.

 

The association has urged the government to reinstate a more balanced financing model, similar to those used in the past, where airlines or financial institutions provided support to trainee pilots. This would ensure that talented individuals are not sidelined by financial barriers and would help maintain a high standard of aviation safety.

 

 

Concern Over Wet Lease Agreements and Foreign Pilots

 

Another issue raised, again, by the association is the increasing use of foreign pilots by Thai airlines under wet lease agreements. In a wet lease arrangement, an airline rents an aircraft complete with crew, maintenance, and insurance from a foreign provider. While such agreements are commonly used to address temporary shortages, the association argues that this practice is harmful to local pilots and potentially violates labour laws.

 

Thailand currently has over 2,000 unemployed pilots, and the association believes that allowing airlines to bypass them in favor of foreign crews is detrimental to the domestic aviation industry. The association also warned that this practice could draw scrutiny from the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), especially since Thailand’s non-participation in Article 83 of the Chicago Convention, which governs international leasing arrangements. 
 

"We recommend that the government support dry leases, where only the aircraft is leased without crew, instead of wet leases. This would create more job opportunities for Thai pilots and reduce the reliance on foreign labour ," the spokesperson added.

 

The association also pointed out that allowing foreign pilots on temporary domestic routes could lead to issues with labour law compliance, potentially affecting Thailand’s standing with international aviation bodies.

 

Exemption for Retired Pilots in Flight Instructor Roles

 

In addition to the concerns over pilot employment, the association called for regulatory adjustments concerning retired pilots who wish to serve as flight instructors. Currently, these pilots are required to maintain valid medical certificates, even though their role is limited to simulators rather than actual flights.

 

The association argues that since retired pilots only train new recruits in flight simulators, the need for medical certificates should be waived. By making this exemption, experienced retired pilots could continue to contribute their knowledge and skills to the next generation of pilots without facing unnecessary bureaucratic hurdles.

 

The Thai Pilots Association's recommendations come at a critical time for the aviation industry, as it recovers from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and faces new challenges related to employment and regulation. They are urging the new government to take immediate action on these issues to ensure the continued growth and safety of Thailand's aviation sector.

 

The association is hopeful that through government intervention, aspiring pilots will have fairer access to training opportunities, local pilots will have better job prospects, and retired pilots will be able to share their expertise without unnecessary restrictions.

 

-- 2024-09-05

 

 

 

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[hotchilli]

19 hours ago, Georgealbert said:

Thailand currently has over 2,000 unemployed pilots, and the association believes that allowing airlines to bypass them in favor of foreign crews is detrimental to the domestic aviation industry

It must be cheaper for airlines to wet lease a complete package than re-certify these out-of work pilots.

 

[spidermike007]

Apparently the Thai pilot certification is not recognized by alot of nations. So, many airlines are reluctant to hire Thai pilots. Does that mean they are not as good as other commercial pilots from around the world? Often, the market will make those kinds of assessments, if left to its own devices. Protectionism is rampant in Thailand. Is this due to substandard local talent? 

 

Even before the EEC officially opens, there is already a high number of aviation graduates,” RAdm Piya said. “But companies will not employ them if their qualifications are not certified according to international standards.

[Classic Ray]

Paying for pilot training is no different to the Student Loan schemes offered in many countries, as long as they don’t demand full upfront payment.

 

Pilots should be able to pay back the training costs from their future earnings, as should those who don’t complete or fail the course.

 

But with this many unemployed qualified pilots I don’t see why they need to recruit more. Students should be encouraged to enter other industries instead.

[john donson]

why don't they do the same as for doctors?  the company pays and the pilot has to stay x amount of years with the same company...

[Scott Tracy]

4 hours ago, john donson said:

why don't they do the same as for doctors?  the company pays and the pilot has to stay x amount of years with the same company...

I admit, I wasn"t aware this was a thing with medical Doctors. 

 

There are so many different models for funding pilot licenses. An acceptable ATPL  is expensive to get, but then so is a degree. In various countries, tertiary education is free, in others, it needs to be paid for either up front, during or recovered later in life.

 

2000 unemployed Thai pilots (it doesn't seem clear to me if they are ATPL) seems indicative of lack of internationally recognised appropriately type rated license, or perhaps English language skills, making employability outside Thailand problematic.

 

Many airlines are looking for pilots, just not in Thailand... as can be seen by the wet lease model. (This is simplification of wet lease, of course.)

 

In regard to the medical requirements for retired pilots who instruct only in simulators, perhaps this should be looked at, but.... To instruct means keeping current.... Can an instructor be a person who no longer holds a current type rated pilot license, (medical requirements) or could there be a different requirement for ground instructors?

 

Aircraft maintenance training schools don't require their instructors to be aircraft maintenance engineers and not all ex AMEs make competent instructors...