Expensive pilot training

The National Letters

There is an alarming number of average income parents in Papua New Guinea sending their children to the Philippines for pilot training with the belief that they will one day fly with Air Niugini.
I do not mean to undermine the training programmes that the training institutions have in Philippines, but I would like to point out some important points for the parents.
I do not know much about how PNG Air or other smaller airlines operating within PNG recruit their pilots, and I do not represent Air Niugini in any way. What I say here is based on my own judgment.
I would like to explain why I think pilot training in the Philippines will not guarantee you a job with Air Niugini.

  • First and foremost, Air Niugini only employs pilot cadets that have completed pilot training in institutions that are identified and accredited by Air Niugini. Air Niugini has its own criteria apart from IATA.
  • Air Niugini conducts its own pilot recruitment programmes to select cadet pilots after putting them through rigorous selection processes from a pool of highly talented candidates. And it is sure to say that the cadets who come out through this selection process go on to be the best in the business and that they can deliver what Air Niugini expects of them.
  • There are training guidelines put in place by Air Niugini to make sure its cadets learn within the guidelines already set
  • There are professional pilots with years of experiences coaching the trainee pilots.

Ask yourself if students who attended pilot training in the Philippines are flying for Air Niugini or PNG Air.
Before you discover it is too late, being a caring parent, I am making some awareness here so that you are also aware of what lies ahead.
Sending a child to Philippines is very expensive, and for that child to get a commercial pilot’s licence needs at least four years of training, which will cost at least K40,000. There are also hidden costs like travel and living expenses.
You have been warned.

George
UOG