Safety In The Skies: August 2012

MERDEKA! MERDEKA! MERDEKA!

Hello everyone,

Wishing all of you a very happy 55th Merdeka Day.

Enjoy this nice commercial by Maxis.

MERDEKA! MERDEKA! MERDEKA!

SELAMAT HARI RAYA AIDIL FITRI

Hello everyone,

Wishing all of you a very happy Eid Mubarak.

JOBLESS PLANE PILOTS ASKED TO CONSIDER FLYING HELICOPTERS

THESTAR : Published: Tuesday August 14, 2012 MYT 9:38:00 PM

KUALA LUMPUR: The unemployment of young pilots is cyclical and temporary in nature as it depends on the supply and demand in the job market, said Department of Civil Aviation (DCA) director-general Datuk Azharuddin Abdul Rahman.

He said airlines would rebuild their capacity, add new routes and strengthen human capital, including recruiting more pilots when the situation improve.

The latest record shows that are 1,174 Commercial Pilot Licence (CPL) holders who were still jobless, he said.

"Too much dependence on jobs offered by local airlines such as MAS, AirAsia, Firefly, MASwings, Transmile and Berjaya Air adds to the magnitude of the problem.

"The period 2009-2011 has witnessed the downturn of global airline industry. The escalating fuel prices caused many airlines to review their operations," he said in a statement on Tuesday. Azharuddin urged unemployed pilots to take the options of taking up training to become flying instructors, exploring opportunities with foreign airlines, and converting CPL to a helicopter pilot licence as there was a shortage of helicopter pilots in the country, especially for off-shore operations.

"They can also take up vacant positions in the aviation industry, such as flight operation officers on temporary basis, and secure jobs as pilots in general aviation," he said.

Brushing aside a claim that the failure of young pilots in securing jobs was due to local airlines employing foreign pilots, he said the 200 foreign pilots engaged by local airlines filled up the vacancies of captain of the aircraft on short and medium terms.

Local airlines were required to plan for qualified Malaysian first officers to be promoted to captain, taking over the role of foreign captains in stages within three years, he added. - Bernama

1174 TRAINED PILOTS FAIL TO LAND A CAREER

Posted on 15 August 2012 - 09:47pm
Last updated on 16 August 2012 - 12:23pm

Azizul Rahman Ismail
newsdesk@thesundaily.com

PETALING JAYA (Aug 15, 2012): With more Commercial Pilot Licence (CPL) holders than jobs as pilots available, Malaysia is seeing a glut of flyers.

According to the Department of Civil Aviation (DCA), there are 1,174 young pilots, who have graduated with CPLs who have yet to find their dream job.

To help unemployed CPL holders, the DCA recently set up a registry on its website for them to advertise their availability to prospective employers within the aviation industry.

The glut is apparently a result of the mushrooming of Approved Flying Training Organisations (AFTO) around the country.

The cost of training at such AFTOs is between RM250,000 and RM270,000 per person over a period of two to three years.

There are currently five AFTOs in the country, down from eight in 2005, as three have since closed.

Commenting on the high number of unemployed CPL holders, DCA director-general Datuk Azharuddin Abdul Rahman said in the current market, there are more pilots than the jobs offered.

He attributed the situation to failing global economy due to high prices of oil, bad planning and the employment of foreign pilots by local airlines.

The discrepancy between pilots and jobs was caused by the high demand for pilots in early 2000, which in turn resulted in a high number of AFTOs and trained pilots in 2005, he said.

"This was based on the forecasts made predicting a demand of 185,600 pilots in Asia Pacific for the period of 2012 to 2031," he said.

"However, the global airline industry took a downturn from 2009 to 2011, prompting airlines to review their operations because of escalating fuel prices. As a result, the demand for pilots dropped."

Commenting on the employment of foreign pilots, mostly as captains, Azharuddin said local airlines are being required to plan for the promotion of qualified Malaysian First Officers to take over from foreign captains.

"This is being done in stages but will probably take three years," he said.

Meanwhile, Azharuddin advised jobless CPL holders not to be choosy and take up other opportunities in the aviation industry that may be available in the shrinking job market.

He said there are job opportunities for them in general aviation, and overseas, as well as at AFTOs as trainers.

"Those who are financially able should also consider converting to helicopter pilot licences as there is still a shortage of helicopter pilots in the country," he added.

Azharuddin also explained that the authorities would not limit or reduce the number of AFTOs or the intake of student pilots as they are private entities which do not receive any subsidy or assistance from the government.

FAREWELL PARTY FOR MR AG HADI

Hello,

To Mr Ag Hadi,

So sorry that you're leaving, you'll be missed ever so much. Wish you could stick around for a little more time, but life has set some other amazing plans for you. From all of us, we wish you a heartfelt good luck for your future in WBKK (Kinabalu).

Keep in touch !

The Eastery at Four Points Hotel, Sandakan

Mr Yazid (R) and Mr Fadzlee (L) in action

Mr Herman Malanjun (L) and Mr Hor Sin Ann (R) queing for foods

More foods to come.

This aint enough

From left : Mr Hor Sin Ann, Mr Adaris Sintan. Mr Ag Hadi and Mr Lai Kok Diing

Little one

Island and food bar. Very impressive

Nice hotel for 4 star standard

Admin staff from DCA Sandakan

View of Sandakan Harbour from Four Points Hotel.

Entrance to The Eatery. Feel so rich although we aren't.

Seafood fiesta.

Mr Lai Kok Diing (standing), Mr Herman (R) and Mr Muslijan (L).

Mr Lai Kok Diing is always the happiest man.

WBKS photographer. Send your photos to airliners.net

Salt and pepper

Mural wall at the hotel. Very artistic

Infity pool at Four Points, Sandakan.


Before buka puasa time.

Before buka puasa time.

Till then see ya ~

NAVIGATION CALIBRATION IN WBKS (SANDAKAN)

Hello everyone,

Every day in Malaysia, tens of thousands of passengers fly safely and confidently by virtue, in part, of the precision, accuracy and reliability of the navigation aids that delineate our airways and provide approach paths to many aerodromes. However, these admirable characteristics are neither easily nor cheaply maintained.

The most common DCA Malaysia aircraft to be seen is Learjet 60. Attached are photos taken during NDB SN in Sandakan recently.

See ya~