Asia would need 180,600 pilots and 220,000 maintenance crew in next 20 years

The United States plane maker Boeing reports that the global commercial aviation industry needs more than a million pilots and maintenance crew in the next 20 years, with Asia accounting for almost 40% of the demand. It estimates world demand at 466,650 pilots and 596,500 maintenance personnel from 2010 to 2029, of whom 180,600 pilots and 220,000 mechanics would be needed in Asia.
Aviation is an exciting and rewarding industry for those who aspire to be an airline pilot or an aircraft engineer. Both courses require a lot of discipline, hard work and passion.
Most countries, including Malaysia, Australia, India, the Philippines, China, Indonesia, and Thailand, are members of nternational Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO). Member countries recognise one another’s licence. However, if one plans on working in another member country, he will need to convert his licence to a local licence. In most cases, one is required to pass the local aviation medical, local conversion exam or abridged course and flight test
Entry requirements for piloting and aircraft engineering may vary. For Malaysian students, they have to be at least 17 years, have completed SPM or ‘O’ Levels or UEC SML with five credits in English, Mathematics, and any science subjects, have adequate English Language competency or IELTS score of a minimum of 5.5, a pass in the Class One Medical Examination by approved Designated Aviation Medical Practitioner (pilot students only) and have a valid international passport.
Student pilot will progress through different stages. At each of the six stages, there is a practical flight training and test, and ground theory followed by exams.
Stage 1: Student Pilot Licence (SPL) – Basic entry requirements, pass class 1 medical, security clearance;
Stage 2: Private Pilot Licence (PPL) – 40-50 hours flying, theory subjects – navigation, flight rules, meteorology, human factors in flight and aircraft general knowledge. PPL is for private flying only;
Stage 3: Commercial Pilot Licence (CPL) – 150-165 hours flying, minimum 100 hours solo flight time, VFR (Visual Flying Rules). Exams subjects – navigation, flight rules, aircraft general knowledge, aircraft performance, aerodynamic, human factors in flight and meteorology. All flying through to CPL flight test is in a single engine aircraft – Cessna 152, Cessna 172 and is under VFR;
Stage 4: Multi Engine Command Instrument Rating (MECIR). After completing the CPL, one is given 15-25 hours on multi-engine with flight simulator training and endorsements to fly twin-engine aircraft, and also to read the instruments in the flight deck for IFR (Instrument Flying Rules) flying. CPL holders have to pass a theory exam IREX;
Stage 5: Airline Transport Pilot Licence (ATPL). Some airlines also require students to complete an ATPL theory and students are given a frozen ATPL licence that can be activated only with at least 1,500 hours of flight time;
Stage 6: Airlines. After completing CPL/MECIR, students can apply for jobs with airlines. The airlines will further train the student on aircraft type rating, simulator and on the job training.