Where Pilot Training Costs Are Steady And Pay Is Down
Economic conditions in Europe are creating a challenge for some prospective professional pilots as the costs of their training has not declined, but pilot pay in many cases has, according to Bloomberg News. In Germany, pilots paying their own way through training can spend nearly $100,000 on that process, Bloomberg said, while the unemployment rate for pilots in Germany has risen to twice the countrys average. The overall effect is that some pilots are paying the same (or higher) rates than their predecessors for training that will put them in a longer queue of applicants for a pool of lower paying jobs.
Economic conditions in Europe are creating a challenge for some prospective professional pilots as the costs of their training has not declined, but pilot pay in many cases has, according to Bloomberg News. In Germany, pilots paying their own way through training can spend nearly $100,000 on that process, Bloomberg said, while the unemployment rate for pilots in Germany has risen to twice the countrys average. The overall effect is that some pilots are paying the same (or higher) rates than their predecessors for training that will put them in a longer queue of applicants for a pool of lower-paying jobs.
The source of the change in pay rates might draw back to major carriers. In Germany, like those in some other parts of Europe, major carriers have cut back on their least profitable routes. And smaller and discount carriers like Ryanair and EasyJet - that generally pay less - have risen to fill the gaps. Moreover, the tightening at major carriers has released experienced pilots into the marketplace, further complicating job prospects for some less experienced pilots. To bridge the gap, some lower-time pilots are adding aviation degrees. The Bloomberg report touches on some concepts raised by regional pilot Brant Harrison in the AVweb feature article, "The Pilot Shortage Crisis Is Nigh! … Or Not." Harrison suggested that the pilot market may soon see changes that make the initial training investment more palatable (if not less expensive) for new pilots.
