Training Report-EN

ASIA-PACIFIC 

TRAINING SCHOOL REPORT 

2016 

2016 ASIA PACIFIC TRAINING SCHOOL REPORT | I

Beijing 

Seoul 

Shanghai 

Shenzhen 

Hong Kong 

Bangkok 

Manila 

Kuala Lumpur 

ABOUT ASIAN SKY GROUP 

ASIAN SKY GROUP (ASG), headquartered in Hong Kong with offices throughout Asia, has assembled the most experienced aviation team in 

the Asia-Pacific region to provide a wide range of independent services for both fixed and rotary-wing aircraft. ASG also provides access to a 

significant customer base around the world with the help of its exclusive partners. 

ASG is backed by SEACOR Holdings Inc., a publically listed US company (NYSE: “CKH”) with over US$1 billion in revenue and US$3 billion in 

assets, and also by Avion Pacific Limited, a mainland China-based general aviation service provider with over 20 years of experience and 6 

offices and bases throughout China. 

ASG provides its clients with four main business aviation services: 

1. Sales & Acquisitions including Transactional Advisory; 

2. Market Research and Consulting including Special Projects; 

3. Operation Oversight including Completion Management, Audits, Invoice Review and Aircraft Appraisals, and; 

4. Luxury Charter Services. 

The acclaimed Asian Sky Fleet Reports are produced by ASG’s Market Research and Consulting group. ASG has a growing portfolio of 

business aviation reports designed to provide valued information so that the reader can make better informed business decisions. Included 

in the portfolio are Asian Sky Asia-Pacific Fleet Reports for both Civil Helicopters and Business Jets, the Africa Business Jet Fleet Report and 

the all new industry leading Asian Sky Quarterly magazine. 

DISCLAIMER 

The information contained in this report is provided free of charge for reference only. While such information was compiled using the best 

available data as of September 2016, ASG makes no warranties, either expressed or implied, concerning the accuracy, completeness, reliability, 

or suitability of such information. ASG is not responsible for, and expressly disclaims any and all liability for damages of any kind, either direct 

or indirect, arising out of use, reference to, or reliance on any information contained within this report. 

Should you wish to reproduce or distribute any portion of this report, in part or in full, you may do so by mentioning the source as: “Asian Sky 

Group, a Hong Kong based business aviation consulting group”. 

Thank you for your interest in this report. We hope you will find the information useful. If you would like to receive further information about 

our other aviation services and reports, please contact us at info@asianskygroup.com. 

CONTACT 

Suite 3905, Far East Finance Centre, 16 Harcourt Road Admiralty, Hong Kong 

Telephone +852 2235 9222 | Facsimile +852 2528 2766 

www.asianskygroup.com 

II | 2016 ASIA PACIFIC TRAINING SCHOOL REPORT

CONTENTS 

02 

03 

04 

11 

15 

38 

50 

PUBLISHER’S NOTE 

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 

ASIA-PACIFIC TRAINING SCHOOL OVERVIEW 

COMPANY PROFILE: OMNI AVIATION 

COUNTRY PROFILES 

16 GREATER CHINA 

20 JAPAN 

22 SOUTH KOREA 

24 INDIA 

28 THAILAND 

30 PHILIPPINES 

INTERVIEW: ZIVA NARENDRA ARIFIN, 

AVIATORY INDONESIA PRESIDENT 

SIMULATOR TRAINING 

32 MALAYSIA 

34 SINGAPORE 

36 INDONESIA 

40 AUSTRALIA 

46 NEW ZEALAND 

2016 ASIA PACIFIC TRAINING SCHOOL REPORT | 1

Last month Asian Sky Group (ASG) published its first report on 

the business jet charter market in the Asia-Pacific region (go to 

www.asianskygroup.com & “Reports”). In that report, ASG noted 

that the industry is facing numerous challenges, from a lack of 

infrastructure, to airspace regulations, to finding enough aviation 

professionals to support the charter market. However, this 

shortage of aviation professionals is not just isolated to pilots. 

There is also a shortage of mechanics, engineers, and dispatchers. 

Although ASG was talking about a sub-set of the business jet 

market when we referred to charter, the overwhelming response 

from readers was that the shortage isn’t just limited to business 

jets, but is an even larger issue for the commercial airline market. 

Equally, it has been widely reported by manufacturers such as 

Boeing, as well as others that the worldwide demand for air travel 

is going to grow significantly over the coming decades. More 

relevant to ASG is that the demand for air travel from within Asian 

countries is growing even faster, with projections of over 100 

million new passengers entering the Asian market within the next 

20 years. 

Most of the industry’s attention to date has been focused on pilot 

needs in Mainland China, for good reason, but ASG has made a 

point to look at the training market in every Asian country, and 

emphasize the particular benefits or challenges each country 

faces in developing a home grown population of successful pilots 

to meet growing demand. 

ASG also was privileged to have the opportunity to speak with 

Omni Aviation’s President Steven Virata, and Aviatory Indonesia’s 

President Ziva Narendra Arifin to better understand their training 

programs in the Philippines and Indonesia, respectively. 

As ASG’s first Training School Report, we hope the material 

provided is enlightening and helps the industry plan for the future. 

In future versions of this report ASG plans to provide even more 

detail, and expand the scope of our coverage to include engineers, 

cabin crew and other facets of the market. 

Thank you to our readers and supporters. 

This growth will ultimately not just impact the demand for pilots 

but also the type of training, instructors, aircraft and simulators as 

well. Pilot training is therefore an essential – some would argue 

the essential – factor affecting business and commercial aviation 

in the Asia-Pacific region. 

For the inaugural issue of ASG’s Training School Report, we will 

summarize the size, nature, scope of the training school industry 

throughout the Asia-Pacific region, particularly with regards to 

the established base of schools, the existing fleet of aircraft, their 

capabilities, and license offerings. 

Sincerely, 

Jeffrey C. Lowe 

Managing Director, Asian Sky Group 

2 | 2016 ASIA PACIFIC TRAINING SCHOOL REPORT

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 

As the worldwide shortage of aviation professionals hits the industry, the Asia Pacific region will require significant 

investment in training to meet the growing demand for air travel. This report is an effort to show the existing 

training school market in Asia. 

Of the existing training providers throughout this region: 

• There are 359 aviation training facilities located throughout the Asia-Pacific region. 1 

provide training for both fixed-wing and rotary, while most service one or the other. 

Only 29 of these schools 

• There are 2,908 fixed-wing aircraft used for training throughout the region and 590 helicopters used. The fourseat 

single-engine piston Cessna 172 is the most popular fixed-wing aircraft, accounting for 33% of the fixedwing 

aircraft training fleet. While the Robinson 44 is the most popular rotary aircraft, accounting for 30% of 

the helicopter training fleet. 2 

• There are 47 Full Flight Simulator (FFS) schools in the region. This includes simulators under the Federal 

Aviation Authority’s four categories from A to D, varying from least to most realistic. Companies including CAE, 

Boeing, Airbus, Airbus Helicopter, and Flight Experience are a few of the big companies utilizing the FFS. 

• Australia has the highest number of schools with 123, as well as the highest number of aircraft serving the 

aviation training segment. Several airline programs are based in the country including Cathay Pacific, China 

Airlines, Qantas, and Hainan Airlines, as well as others, indicating the country is a key player because of its 

space, high standards, and safety. 

• Mainland China follows Australia, with 54 schools, as well as the second highest number of aircraft serving 

training facilities. The country’s air traffic, expected to quadruple over the next two decades, makes China one 

of the world’s busiest markets. 

• Students training in Australia and New Zealand may use their certifications interchangeably between the two 

countries, without having to take additional courses or exams. This is allowed through the Mutual Recognition 

of Aviation-Related Certification. 

• Japan is the most expensive country to provide fixed-wing training, while India has some of the least 

expensive training programs. Helicopter training costs across the region are relatively similar for both PPL and 

CPL certifications, from country to country. However, CPL certifications are generally around three times the 

duration of a PPL, across the region. 

1 

These are schools that have aircraft (either fixed-wing or rotary) in their fleet. 

2 

Heavy and medium-sized helicopters are used most often in a commercial capacity. When used for training, these size 

categories are used for type-rating training. 

SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR CONTRIBUTORS: 


ASIA-PACIFIC REGION 

TRAINING SCHOOLS * 

Total Number of Training Schools: 

359 

Total Number of Fixed-Wing Training Fleet: 

Total Number of Helicopter Training Fleet: 

2,908 

590 

38 233 

7 

INDIA 

LEGEND: 

Number of Training Schools 

Number of Fixed-Wing Training Fleet 

Number of Helicopter Training Fleet 

* Include training schools with aircraft only. 


17 

144 

3 

16 

92 

43 

54 

663 

169 

SOUTH KOREA 

JAPAN 

CHINA 

2 

7 

1 8 4 

HONG KONG 

TAIWAN 

5 

84 

3 

THAILAND 

34 

284 

2 

3 

34 

8 

74 

3 

PHILIPPINES 

SINGAPORE 

MALAYSIA 

22 

204 

4 

INDONESIA 

123 

855 

257 

AUSTRALIA 

36 

226 

95 

NEW ZEALAND 


ASIA-PACIFIC TRAINING 

SCHOOL OVERVIEW 

In a speech given at the Incheon Airport Aviation Academy, 

International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Secretary 

General, Dr. Fang Liu said, "A shortage of skilled human 

resources and training capacity globally will threaten the safe, 

secure, and orderly expansion of international air transport.” 

The Secretary General’s remarks are in reference to the personnel 

shortage the aviation industry is currently facing, particularly in the 

Asia-Pacific region. The issue has caused alarm, pushing airlines, 

operators, and training schools to seek out a solution. 

Asia-Pacific region will again require the highest number – 298,000 

cabin crew within the next 20 years. 

Boeing projections also estimate that 100 million new passengers 

will enter the Asia-Pacific market annually, between now and 2033. 

The increasing passenger traffic corresponds with the dire need 

for aviation personnel throughout the region. 

Low-cost carriers (LCCs) also have an increasing presence in the 

region, as a result of overall growth in passenger traffic. 

As the problem becomes more urgent, an increase in the number 

of training facilities, aircraft, simulators and instructors throughout 

the region will be required to resolve the shortage. 

The modernization of today’s aircraft and the demand of newer 

safety regulations will also require the region’s training school base 

to modernize and adapt to current technological standards. 

INCREASING DEMAND 

According to Boeing’s 2016 Pilot and Technician Outlook, “Over 

the next 20 years, the Asia-Pacific region will lead the worldwide 

growth in demand for pilots, with a requirement for 248,000 new 

pilots.” 

As technology becomes more prevalent in aviation, so will the need 

for airplane reliability. “Overall global fleet growth, along with the 

increasing trend for operators to outsource maintenance, repair, and 

overhaul activities to third party providers, will drive and increase the 

need for qualified technicians.” The Asia-Pacific region will require 

268,000 new technical personnel over the next 20 years. 

The need for cabin crew will continue to soar, as well, with flight 

routes continuing to expand and airlines growing their fleets. The 

REGIONAL EFFORTS 

Despite the region’s impressive development in numerous aspects, 

the Asia-Pacific region is the hardest hit when it comes to this 

shortage. Unlike many Western countries, opportunities to join 

the industry are limited and costly. ICAO further attributes the 

shortage to a “high cost of pilot license, entry-level low wages, 

reduced career interest, more stringent regulations and a shortage 

of qualified instructors.” 

ICAO has called upon the region to “be prepared for the future 

challenges higher volumes will create; this includes upgrades of 

air control systems, improvement of airport infrastructure and 

harmonization of pilot training, according to the international 

standards, with a high focus on aviation English.” 

In an effort to thwart the shortage, countries are coming up 

with resourceful solutions. Japan has raised the age limit 

for commercial pilots from 65 to 68, however this will only 

momentarily ease the problem. Chinese airlines have begun 

offering lucrative remuneration packages to foreigners with 

sufficient experience, but hope to avoid the long term economic 

implications by increasing their own cadets. 



WOMEN IN AVIATION 

With the shortage of aviation professionals leaving the industry 

to scramble for a solution, many are now looking at the untapped 

female market. 

The International Society of Women Airline Pilots estimates 

there are 4,000 female airline pilots out of 130,000 airline pilots 

worldwide — only about 3%. 

Outside of cabin crew, aviation has been a male dominated 

field, and the industry is now attempting to attract and cater 

to more women. A misconception in aviation is that pilots are 

frequently away from home and work long hours – a deterring 

factor particularly for working mothers. Airlines and flight training 

schools are now working toward dispelling these misconceptions 

and making the industry more female-friendly. In the meantime, 

males and females alike still see the high costs of training and low 

salary in the first years of flying as a barrier of entry into aviation. 

SAFETY ISSUES 

One of the greatest concerns in addressing this unprecedented 

growth is the possibility of aviation training schools easing up on 

their safety regulations and required flying hours. Unlike North 

America and Europe, aviation regulations in the Asia-Pacific region 

are not standardized — potentially leading to safety oversights. 

A number of high profile accidents, within the region, have created 

a great concern for the industry, as well as with the public, and the 

severity of these incidents serve as a reminder to the industry that 

pilot training and safety go hand in hand. In recent years, a number 

of reports have suggested that questionable training schools have 

opened up offering certifications showing inflated flying hours and 

ground training. 

The issue gained notoriety in India, after the Directorate General 

of Civil Aviation (DGCA) discovered a number of pilots flying using 

fake documents, with forged qualifications. In one rare case, a 

student received certification showing 360 flying hours, after 

a mere 35 minutes of sitting in an aircraft. School fees, initially 

paid through a grant provided by the Indian government, were 

later repaid after the case was taken to court. The DGCA has 

since taken precautions to ensure schools and pilots are meeting 

standards. 

TRAINING COURSES 

Training schools throughout the region vary in certifications 

offered, course fees, and aircraft utilized. While countries in North 

America and Europe have the advantage of a more matured 

business aviation market, many countries throughout the Asia- 

Pacific region are struggling to reach that point. 

A number of airlines and training schools in the region have 

partnered, in an effort to attract candidates with the promise of a 

job at the end. A pilot cadet program would typically use an ‘abinitio’ 

training, where the student has no experience and will require 

training over the course of up to a few years. Upon successful 

completion, the graduate would then be ready to embark on a 

career with the airline. Cathay Pacific Airways (Hong Kong) and 

Singapore Airlines are among the well-known airliners offering a 

cadet program, both of which require applicants to be citizens or 

permanent residents of their respective countries. 

Typical training schools offer certifications for a Private Pilot’s 

License (PPL), a Commercial Pilot’s License (CPL), and an Air 

Transport Pilot’s License (ATPL). Schools may also offer type 

ratings – certifications required by regulating agencies when 

flying a specific aircraft. This would include various Airbus models, 

Boeing models, as well as Bombardier jets and a number of other 

aircraft. 

Although each country has its own standards for obtaining 

certification, many schools may train students under Part 141 

and Part 61 regulations, which refers to the specific section of the 

Federal Aviation Regulations (FARs). 

Part 141 creates a more structured training environment, with 

Federal Aviation Authority (FAA) approved curriculum. Part 61 

teaches to the same FAA practical test standards, but has a more 

flexible training curriculum. Students would also be made aware of 

general operating and flight guidelines for civil aircraft, which are 

under Part 91 and 135 of FARs. 

Potential aircraft mechanics must also be certified before 

performing maintenance work on an aircraft. An Aircraft Mechanic 

Technician (AMT) in Asia Pacific will likely be certified under Part 

147, which provides FAA approved curriculum. 

More advanced schools will often offer flight simulators, which 

is a beneficial training tool for students. There are two types 

of flight simulators: full flight simulator (FFS), which provides 

a real-life recreation of an in-flight experience, as well as flight 

training devices (FTD), providing a life-like experience without the 

movement of the FFS. 

Candidates preparing for a license are also required to pass a 

number of requirements before being granted a license. This may 

include age and physical requirements, as well as passing an 

English language examination. 

FUTURE OF AVIATION TRAINING 

To meet the tremendous growth -- projected in the next 20 years -- 

it is imperative that the aviation industry work quickly to build more 

training capacity, modernize their operations, and recruit the next 

generation of aviation personnel who have grown up in a more 

technologically driven and faster paced educational system. 

The Asia-Pacific region, in particular, will need to address issues 

of standardization and safety within training facilities, barriers 

related to cost and opportunity, the untapped female market, and 

advancements within the industry. 

These advancements, particularly in technology will require more 

sophisticated training aircraft, with glass cockpits and students 

who are trained to operate the latest avionics and safety features. 



Number of Schools 

Fixed-Wing Only 

254 

Both 

29 

Helicopter Only 

75 

Fixed-Wing 

Helicopter 

88+0+0+0+0+31 

105 

330 

83+0+78 29+0+27 

PPL 

CPL 

PPL 

CPL 

101 

94 

266 

254 

Top Models 

FIXED-WING (68% OF THE TOTAL) 

HELICOPTERS (83% OF THE TOTAL) 

97+0+34+0+28+0+27+0+11 

Cessna 172 974 Robinson R44 178 

Diamond DA40 335 

Robinson R22 

155 

Piper PA-28 280 Bell 206 

56 

Cessna 152 270 Schweizer S-300 

56 

Diamond DA42 

108 Airbus Helicopters H130 45 

18+0+15+0+6+0+6+0+4 

Average 

5+0+0+ 

Ab-initio 

16+0+0+39+0+0+12+0+0+20+0+0+40+0+ 10+0+0+3+0+0+8+0+0+20+0+0+3+0+0+5+0+0+4+0+0+12+0+0+6+0 

Training Fee (USD) – Fixed-Wing 

+0+24+0+0+18+0+0+13+0+0+35+0+0+19+0+0+19 

PPL CPL 

50,000 

- 

Australia Greater India Indonesia Japan Malaysia New Philippines Singapore South Thailand 

200,000 

150,000 

100,000 

China 

Zealand 

Korea 

Average Ab-initio 

8+0+0+12+0+0+9+0+0+15+0+0+21+0+0+7+0+0+10+0+0+15+0+0+6 18+0+0+37+0+0+26+0+0+41+0+0+33 

Training Fee (USD) – Helicopter 

+0+0+22+0+0+32+0+0+22+0+0+21 

PPL CPL 

50,000 

- 

Australia Greater India Indonesia Japan New Philippines South Thailand 

200,000 

150,000 

100,000 

China 

Zealand 

Korea 



Fixed-Wing Training Fleet – Asia-Pacific Region 

Socata 58 (2%) 

AVIC 58 (2%) 

Cirrus 75 (3%) 

Beechcraft 128 (4%) 

Diamond 476 (16%) 

Piper 498 (17%) 

49+17+16+4+3+2+2+1+6+G 

2,908 

Tecnam 31 (1%) 

Others 164 (6%) 

Cessna 1,420 (49%) 

Australia 

China 

Hong Kong 

India 

Indonesia 

Japan 

Malaysia 

New Zealand 

Philippines 

Singapore 

South Korea 

Taiwan 

Thailand 

Total 

Cessna 357 236 7 148 111 47 8 96 242 16 103 49 1,420 

Piper 260 38 20 61 1 32 52 26 7 1 498 

Diamond 64 221 39 4 33 42 15 17 7 34 476 

Beechcraft 49 14 2 7 38 4 11 2 1 128 

Cirrus 8 60 7 75 

Socata 21 14 6 15 1 1 58 

AVIC 58 58 

Tecnam 5 16 4 2 4 31 

Others* 91 6 1 18 6 2 30 1 9 164 

Total 855 663 8 233 204 92 74 226 284 34 144 7 84 2,908 

* Others include Alpha, American Champion Aircraft, Grumman American, Liberty, Mooney Aircraft, Partenavia, Slingsby Aviation, ZLIN, and the remaining OEMs 

have fleet less than 3 aircraft. 



Helicopter Training Fleet – Asia-Pacific Region 

Guimbal 7 (1%) 

Schweizer 61 (10%) 

Airbus Helicopters 77 (13%) 

Bell Helicopter 84 (14%) 

58+14+13+10+1+1+3+G 

590 

Enstrom 6 (1%) 

Others 14 (3%) 

Robinson 341 (58%) 

Australia 

China 

Hong Kong 

India 

Indonesia 

Japan 

Malaysia 

New Zealand 

Philippines 

South Korea 

Thailand 

Total 

Robinson 149 113 4 4 1 30 3 34 3 341 

Bell Helicopter 64 7 3 10 84 

Airbus Helicopters 24 2 12 39 77 

Schweizer 15 38 1 5 2 61 

Guimbal 2 2 3 7 

Enstrom 3 3 6 

Others 3 4 2 1 4 14 

Total 257 169 4 7 4 43 3 95 2 3 3 590 


COMPANY PROFILE 

OMNI AVIATION 


PREPARING 

STUDENTS TO THRIVE 

INTERVIEW WITH OMNI AVIATION PRESIDENT, 

STEVEN VIRATA 

Interview by Litalia Yoakum 

What started out as a flying club has transformed into one of the Philippines’ largest training 

schools with the largest aircraft training fleet in the country. Omni Aviation, a joint venture 

between the MAGSAYSAY Group of Companies, the Belen family and SEACOR Capital, offers 

courses necessary to pursuing a career in aviation, as well the essential skill set to thrive 

within the industry.* 

Starting in the early 1990s at the Clark Freeport Zone in 

Pampanga, Omni Aviation grew its fleet and began to fill the gap of 

an adequate training school. Steven Virata joined the company in 

2012 and took over as President in 2013. 

“We had big ambitions for the school and we saw its potential,” 

says Omni Aviation President, Steven Virata. “Our vision [in 2012] 

was to double Omni’s capacity within the next five years. We 

also diversified the facility, offering cabin crew training, aircraft 

maintenance training, and airline services training, in addition to 

pilot training.” 

Students preparing for a career in aviation have a number of 

customized courses to choose from; Modular courses include 

certifications for a Private Pilot License (PPL) and a Commercial 

Pilot License (CPL). Integrated programs are offered, as well, 

providing a combination of courses sold as a package. One 

particular program track is the ACTP + A320 Type Rating, an 

all-encompassing package from ab-initio to A320 type rating 

program in partnership with the Philippine Academy for Aviation 

Training (PAAT), which puts students on track toward Cebu 

Pacific’s A320. 


A flight instructor program, a Philippine Airlines-associated 

program, and a program geared toward international students are 

also available. Omni has appealed to a number of foreigners due 

to its more economic pricing - alongside the overall lower cost of 

living in the Philippines – and the high-level of competency, spoken 

English and the open airspace within the country. 

“Right now our airline cadet training program is very strong,” 

says Virata. “Except for the last two months, we’ve had record 

enrollment. People are aware that airlines are hiring and they’re 

attracted to this program.” 

Virata explained that going through an Omni Aviation program 

doesn’t just provide students with the necessary skills to operate 

an aircraft. “We try to build their soft skills, offering language 

courses and personality assessments – providing advice on 

characteristics necessary to pursue their path.” 

In the future, the school is considering leadership training, as 

well as sessions with a psychologist who will prepare candidates 

prior to interviews. “The services we provide are integrated into 

our programs, as a result of feedback from airlines. These are the 

qualities major airliners would like to see in potential employees.” 

pilots. “We build up their confidence, both males and females, so 

that they can perform well under any condition,” concludes Virata. 

Maintaining its status as one of the most quality schools in the 

Philippines, Omni attributes its success to “great marketing, quality 

control in training, and high standards in all that is done.” The 

school continuously goes beyond what is necessary. Its multiengine 

training integrated within the pilot cadet program is just one 

example. “We require a multi-engine training, while other schools 

do not. This is how we create quality candidates.” 

With 18 Cessna 152s, five Cessna 172s, and one Piper Seneca, the 

school continues to expand, improve and modernize the program 

and its capabilities. 

While Omni Aviation continues its success within the region, the 

school is hoping to further develop through partnerships with 

commercial airliners, business aviation companies, and other 

industry members to create tailored ab-initio training. With Omni’s 

air operator’s certificate (AOC), the school is also prepared to 

expand its commercial business, enabling them to provide charter 

services or commercial operations, supported by the training 

school. 

With Boeing and Airbus forecasting airline growth in Asia Pacific 

to be 5.7%, requiring 226,000 pilots over the next 20 years, Omni 

Aviation has positioned itself as a stronghold in the training school 

market within the country. “Right now we are happy with our local 

enrollment. We have online marketing recruitment and we’re also 

looking at other countries, including Indonesia.” 

www.omniaviation.com 

* Read more about Magsaysay Group's CEO, Doris Ho in Asian Sky 

Quarterly, 2016 Q2. 

Virata went onto explain that Omni Aviation has made a concerted 

effort to recruit the untapped market of females. The school boasts 

a number of female graduates who have successfully completed 

their programs and have gone on to become flight instructors and 



COUNTRY PROFILES 


GREATER CHINA 

57 678 

173 

Fixed-Wing Training Fleet – OEM 

Helicopter Training Fleet – OEM 

Beechcraft 14 (2%) Others 7 (1%) Enstrom 3 (2%) 

Socata 14 (2%) AVIC 4 (2%) 



Tecnam 16 (2%) 

Piper 38 (6%) 

AVIC 58 (8%) 

Cirrus 60 (9%) 

36+34+9+8+6+2+2+2+1+G 


Cessna 243 (36%) Schweizer 38 (22%) 

67+23+4+2+2+1+1+G 

678 173 

Diamond 228 (34%) Robinson 117 (68%) 

Fixed-Wing Training Fleet – Size Category 

Helicopter Training Fleet – Size Category 

Turboprop 26 (4%) Jet 13 (2%) 

Single 16 (9%) 

Piston 157 (91%) 

Light Twin Piston 92 (13%) 

81+13+4+2+G 

Single Piston 547 (81%) 

90+10+G 

678 173 

GREATER CHINA 

(Mainland China, Taiwan and Hong Kong) 

According to Boeing’s Annual China Market Outlook, airlines in 

Mainland China will spend more than $1 trillion on new airplanes 

over the next two decades to account for the country’s demand 

for air travel. Air traffic over China is set to almost quadruple in the 

next two decades, making it the world’s busiest market, according 

to Airbus Group SE. Faced with a local shortage of pilots, the 

industry in Mainland China has made news as it looked to satisfy 

the demand by offering lucrative packages to expat pilots. 

Although a shortage still exists in Mainland China, as of the end 

of December 45,523 valid Chinese pilot licenses, including 609 

sport pilot licenses, 3,090 private pilot licenses, 23,987 CPLs, 35 

multi-crew pilot licenses, and 17,802 ATPLs, according to the 

Annual Report of Chinese Pilot Development 2015. From 2015, the 

number of pilot licenses in China increased from 27,807 in 2011 to 

45,523 in 2015. 

Home to one of the world’s busiest international airports, Hong 

Kong conducts about 1,120 passenger and cargo flights every day. 

In 2014, the hub welcomed 63.4 million passengers and handled 

390,955 flight movements, according to Hong Kong International 

Airport. While Taiwan is a much smaller market than Hong Kong 

and Mainland China, aviation movements in the country are still 

increasing, requiring the need for more aviation personnel. Training 

schools across Greater China must now not only keep up with the 

demand, but attract and train more candidates. 

In Mainland China, there are a total of 54 training facilities. 17 of 

those are approved by the Civil Aviation Administration of China 

(CAAC), with China Civil Aviation Regulations (CCAR) Part 141 

standards. There are over 30 other general aviation operators 

providing training courses, many of which offer helicopter courses. 

Hong Kong has one aero flight Club – Hong Kong Aviation Club – 

providing PPL for both airplanes and helicopters, there is also the 

CAE Oxford Aviation Academy Hong Kong, which is authorized 

by Gulfstream. Taiwan has only one training school approved by 

the Taiwan Civil Aeronautics Administration (CAA) – APEX Flight 

Academy, which provides PPL and CPL training courses, as well as 

IR ratings. 

According to the 2015 CAAC Civil Pilot Development Annual 

Report, as of December 2015 the number of pilots in Hong Kong, 

Macau, and Taiwan holding licenses issued by CAAC stood at 388, 

as well as 3,900 issued to foreign pilots. For a PPL student must 

be at least 17 years old, and attain 40 flying hours, including at 

least 20 training hours with an instructor and 10 solo hours. A CPL 

requires students to be at least 18 years old and obtain at least 

250 flying hours on a single/multi-engine aircraft or 150 hours on 

a helicopter. For an ATPL on an airplane, students must complete 

1,500 hours and 1,000 hours for a helicopter. Typical costs for a 

PPL in Greater China is 30,000 USD, while the cost for a CPL is 

90,000 USD, which includes the cost of PPL courses. 


GREATER CHINA 

Top Models 



Cessna 172 

Diamond DA40 

Cirrus SR20 

Diamond DA42 

LE500 

73+0+57+0+18+0+17+0+13 


Civil Aviation Flight University of China 

Phoenix Flying College 

Civil Aviation University of China 

Hainan Aviation Academy 

AVIC Flight Academy 

Hubei Sky-Blue Int’l Aviation 

Qingdao Jiutian Int’l Flight 

Xinjiang Tianxiang Aviation College 

Beidahuang Flight School 

AVICLUB 

53 

50 

39 

Jinggong (Shaanxi) General Aviation 

Jilin Fuhang Flight Academy 

Xi’an Jinsheng General Aviation 

Hebei Zhiyuan General Aviation 

Liaoning General Aviation 

The Hong Kong Aviation Club 

169 

218 

Top Training School Fleet 

Hainan Asia Pacific General Aviation 

Shandong Nanshan Int’l Flight 

China Flying Dragon General Aviation 

Jinggong (Beijing) General Aviation 

Beijing Huaan Air 

APEX Flight Academy 

74+0+19+0+15+0+14+0+11+0+10+0+9+0+9+0+7 +0+7+0+5+0+5+0+4 +0+4+0+4+0+4+0+3+0+3+0+3+0+2+0+2+0+2 

21 

17 

33 

30 

28 

26 

22 

56 

44 

41 

221 

Robinson R44 69 

Robinson R22 

Schweizer S-300 


Sichuan Xilin Fengteng General Aviation 14 

Civil Aviation Flight University of China 

Anyang Aero Sports School 

China Flying Dragon General Aviation 

Beijing Capital Helicopter GAC 

Tuofeng General Aviation 9 

Shanghai Heli General Aviation 

Hainan Sanya Yalong General Aviation 

Guangdong Baiyun General Aviation 

Henan Yongxiang General Aviation 

Guangzhou Suilian Helicopter GAC 

15 Zhongshan Eagle General Aviation 

5 

13 Tianjin Tuohang General Aviation 

5 

12 Techsport Love General Aviation 

5 

11 Reignwood Star 

5 

11 Hainan Aviation Academy 

5 

10 The Hong Kong Aviation Club 

4 

9 Shandong Gaoxiang General Aviation 

4 

8 Ruoer General Aviation 

4 

6 AVICLUB 

4 

6 Guanchen Aviation 

4 

6 Dunhuang Feitian GAC 

4 

65+0+44+0+37 14+0+12+0+12+0+10+0+9 +0+9+0+8+0+8+0+8+0+8+0+6+0+5+0+5+0+5+0+5+0+5+0+4 +0+4+0+4+0+4+0+4+0+4 

37 

46 

2016 ASIA PACIFIC TRAINING SCHOOL REPORT | 17 

6 

8 

8 

8 

8 

12 

12 

10 

9

GREATER CHINA 

Training School List 

Fixed-Wing Pilot Training 

Helicopter Pilot Training 

Simulator 

Name 

Foreign 

Students 

PPL CPL IR 

Multi Type 

Engine Rating 

PPL CPL IR/Turbine 

FFS 

Rating 

FTD 

Mechanics 

Training 

Anyang Aero Sports School ● ● ● ● ● 

AVICLUB ● ● ● 

China Flying Dragon General Aviation ● ● ● ● ● ● ● 

FIXED-WING/HELICOPTER 

Civil Aviation Flight University of China ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● 

Dunhuang Feitian GAC ● ● 

Guangdong Baiyun General Aviation ● ● ● 

Hainan Aviation Academy ● ● ● ● ● ● ● 

Henan Yongxiang General Aviation ● ● ● 

Reignwood Star ● ● ● ● 

Sino-Russian Aviation Academy ● ● ● ● 

The Hong Kong Aviation Club ● ● ● 

Xi'an ZhongFei Aviation Club ● ● 

APEX Flight Academy ● ● ● ● 

AVIC Flight Academy ● ● ● ● 

Beidahuang Flight School ● ● 

Beijing Huaan Air ● ● 

Bejing Xiang Yu General Aviation ● ● 

Civil Aviation University of China ● ● ● ● 

Executive Aviation Taiwan Corp. 

● 

Jilin Fuhang Flight Academy ● ● ● ● 

Hainan Asia Pacific General Aviation ● ● 

Hebei Zhiyuan General Aviation ● ● 

FIXED-WING 

Hubei Sky-Blue Int’l Aviation Academy ● ● ● ● ● 

Hulunbeir TianYing General Aviation ● ● 

Jinggong (Beijing) General Aviation 

● 

Jinggong (Shaanxi) General Aviation ● ● 

Joy Sky Aviation ● ● 

Liaoning General Aviation ● ● 

Meiya Air 

● 

Ordos General Aviation ● ● 

Phoenix Flying College ● ● ● ● ● 

Qingdao Jiutian Int’l Flight Academy ● ● ● 

Shandong Nanshan International Flight ● ● ● ● ● ● 

Xi'an Jinsheng General Aviation ● ● ● ● 

Xinjiang Tianxiang Aviation College ● ● ● ● ● ● 

Yunnan RuiFeng Jet ● ● 


GREATER CHINA 



Simulator 

Name 

Foreign 

Students 

PPL CPL IR 

Multi Type 

Engine Rating 


FFS 

Rating 

FTD 

Mechanics 


Beijing Capital Helicopter GAC ● ● 

CAFUC Chongqing General Aviation Training ● ● 

Daohe General Aviation ● ● 

General Aviation Techsport Love ● ● 

Guanchen Aviation ● ● ● 

Guangzhou Suilian Helicopter GAC ● ● 

Hainan Sanya Yalong General Aviation ● ● 

Kings Aviation 

● 

NUAA International Flying Academy ● ● ● 

HELICOPTER 

Ruoer General Aviation ● ● 

Shandong Gaoxiang General Aviation ● ● 

Shandong Phoenix General Aviation ● ● 

Shanghai Heli General Aviation Company ● ● 

Shanghai Kingwing General Aviation ● ● ● 

Sichuan Luzheng General Aviation ● ● 

Sichuan Xilin Fengteng General Aviation ● ● 

Tianjin Tuohang General Aviation ● ● 

Tianshan Air Steward ● ● 

Tuofeng General Aviation ● ● ● 

Yunnan Feng Xiang General Aviation 

● 

Zhongshan Eagle General Aviation ● ● 


JAPAN 

16 92 

43 

Fixed-Wing Training Fleet * – OEM 

Helicopter Training Fleet * – OEM 

Partenavia 2 (2%) 

Diamond 4 (5%) 


51+41+5+2+1+G 

70+28+2+G 

Piper 1 (1%) Airbus Helicopters 12 (28%) 

Leonardo 1 (2%) 

92 43 

Cessna 47 (51%) Robinson 30 (70%) 



66+27+7+G 

Turboprop 6 (7%) Single 2 (5%) 

67+28+5+G 

Light Twin Piston 

25 (27%) Single Piston 61 (66%) Light Twin 12 (28%) 

Piston 29 (67%) 

92 43 

* Fleet excludes aircraft based in the US, used for Japanese students training overseas. 

The world’s third largest economy faces the unique issue of not 

only facing a shortage of aviation personnel, but facing the issue 

of a shrinking population size. In a bid to deal with aging pilots, 

Japan’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport, and Tourism 

(MLIT) raised the maximum age limit for pilots to 67 from 64. 

According to MLIT, there are 5,900 airline pilots in Japan, including 

500 over the age of 60. 

Japan has 16 training facilities, operating 135 aircraft. Included in 

these are universities, vocational schools, and training companies. 

As of July 2015, there were six schools recognized by the 

country’s aviation authorities, which are believed to meet higher 

requirements with instructor capacities, management, and course 

structure. Of them, HONDA Aviation is the only one that provides 

ab-initio training and operates training fleet. The five others include 

two universities, two in-house airliner training schools and one 

simulator type rating training company. Civil Aviation College is 

the only one that is a nationally founded training school, accepting 

students who have studied more than two years in a four-year 

university, or those who have graduated from short-term college or 

vocational schools. 

pilots. The minimum required total flying hours for a fixed-wing 

and helicopter PPL is 40 hours, while a CPL requires a minimum 

of 150 hours for helicopters and 200 hours for fixed-wing aircraft. 

Rarely do students only acquire certification for a PPL, so typically 

students will do 80-100 hours in the PPL stage. Because the 

cost to pursue pilot training in Japan is much higher than most 

countries, a common trend among students it to study in the US 

where costs are two to three times less. In this case, students 

would acquire an FAA license, which is then converted to a Japan 

Civil Aviation Bureau (JCAB) license. For a PPL to be converted, a 

student must take an aviation law exam and a medical test. For 

those who already hold an FAA CPL, 60 additional flying hours are 

required in Japan. The country’s Tokai University works with the 

US’ University of North Dakota, offering students the chance to 

train and test under JCAB regulations at the North Dakota school. 

A decent level of written and spoken Japanese is necessary. 

Japan’s overall aircraft training fleet stands at 135, with 92 fixedwing 

and 43 rotaries. The top OEM in Japan for fixed-wing is 

Cessna with 51% of the fleet and Robinson for the rotary fleet, with 

70% of the fleet. 

Because recreational flying is rare, most students train toward 

becoming an airliner pilot (general aviation is not popular) – 

obtaining a CPL, however a PPL, MPL, and Air Transportation 

Licenses are available, as well as rating certificates from airliner 


JAPAN 

Top Models 



14+0+7+0+7 


Baron 58 20 

Airbus Helicopters EC135 11 

Bonanza 

17 



7+0+4+0+4+0+4+0+2 

Training School List * 

Robinson R44 

20+0+11+0+7 14+0+8+0+5 


Civil Aviation College 26 Osaka Aviation Vocational School 14 

12 

Sojo University 8 

Alpha Aviation Company 

Asahi Flying School 

Honda Aviation 

First Flight School 

12 

11 

7 

Nihon Flight Safety 5 


7 


Simulator 

Name 

Foreign 

Students 

PPL CPL IR 

Multi Type 

Engine Rating 


FFS 

Rating 

Alpha Aviation ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● 

FTD 

Mechanics 


FIXED-WING/ 

HELICOPTER 

First Flight School ● ● ● ● ● ● ● 

Osaka Aviation Vocational School ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● 

Osaka Aviation ● ● ● ● ● ● ● 

Saga Aviation ● ● ● ● ● ● ● 

Asahi Flying School ● ● ● ● ● ● 

Civil Aviation College ● ● ● ● ● 

FIXED-WING 

HONDA Aviation ● ● ● ● ● ● 

JAA - Japan Civil Aviation College ● ● ● 

New Japan Aviation ● ● ● ● 

Okayama Air Service ● ● ● ● ● ● 

Sojo University ● ● ● ● 

HELICOPTER 

Nihon Flight Safety ● ● 

Ogawa Air ● ● 

Teikyo University ● ● ● 

Tsukuba Kouku ● ● 

* The list only includes training schools that operate training aircraft. Other training schools, including Tokai University, Hosei University, Obirin University, 

Daiichi Institute of Technology, and Chiba Institute of Science only conduct theory lessons and arrange for student to take part in real-life practice with other 

organizations such as Honda Aviation and training schools in the US. 


SOUTH KOREA 

17 144 

3 


Mooney Aircraft 4 (3%) 

Piper 7 (5%) 

Cirrus 7 (5%) 


71+12+5+5+3+4+G 

144 

Others 6 (4%) 

Cessna 103 (71%) 


88+6+5+1+G 

Jet 7 (5%) Turboprop 1 (1%) 


144 


The four main gateways into South Korea – Jeju, Seoul Incheon, 

Seoul Gimpo, and Busan – have experienced growth in passenger 

traffic within the last couple of years. While the domestic sector 

is South Korea’s biggest market. A total of 42 countries can 

be reached non-stop from South Korean airports, according to 

Innovata. While the aviation industry within the country struggles 

to keep up with increasing demand of aviation professionals, 

South Korea is losing more and more pilots to China, who offer 

bigger paychecks. South Korea has replaced the US as the largest 

source of foreign captains in Mainland China, according to the 

Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC). The country now 

has to work particularly hard at not only attracting future aviation 

professionals, but maintaining the current ones. 

There are a total of 17 training schools in South Korea, operating 

147 training aircraft. The top three schools are Korea Aerospace 

University, Hanseo University, and Korea Aviation College, which 

have a total of 72 aircraft (almost half of the entire training fleet) 

and more than 1,000 students. While training may be offered in 

English, students should have a good written and oral command 

of Korean, as exams are only in the local language. Fixed-wing PPL 

requires 40 flying hours and fixed-wing CPL requires 200 hours. 

The majority of aircraft used for training are Cessna, with 71% of 

the overall aircraft – particularly the Cessna 172. Diamond aircraft 

follows with 12% of the overall training fleet. 

Top Models 




32+0+5+0+2+0+2 

Cessna 172 94 

Diamond DA40 

Cirrus SR20 

Piper PA-44 

7 

5 

16 


Korea Aerospace University 31 

Hanseo University 

Korea Aviation College 

Korea Pilot School 

Chodang University 

Cheongju University 8 

1+0+1 

EN480 2 

EN280 

1 

Speccore 8 

10+0+9+0+6+0+3+0+3 +0+3+0+3 

24 

17 

10 

8 


SOUTH KOREA 




Simulator 

Name 

Foreign 

Students 

PPL CPL IR 

Multi Type 

Engine Rating 


FFS 

Rating 

FTD 

Mechanics 


FIXED-WING/ 

HELICOPTER 

Hanseo University ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● 

Aeropdk ● ● ● ● ● 

Asia Pilot School ● ● ● 

Cheongju University ● ● ● 

Chodang University ● ● ● 

Halla Sky Air ● ● ● ● 

FIXED-WING 

Joongwon University ● ● ● ● 

Korea Aerospace University ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● 

Korea Aviation College ● ● ● ● ● 

Korea Pilot School ● ● ● ● ● ● 

Kyungwoon University ● ● ● 

Shinhan Air ● ● ● ● 

SOC Aviation ● ● ● 

Speccore ● ● ● ● 

T.T.M.Korea Aviation ● ● ● 

Universal Aviation Academy ● ● ● ● ● 

Usky Air ● ● ● 


INDIA 

38 233 

7 



ZLIN 5 (2%) Others 10 (4%) Schweizer 1 (14%) 


Socata 6 (3%) 

Piper 20 (9%) 

64+17+9+2+2+2+4+G 

HAL 1 (14%) 

57+15+14+14+G 

233 7 

Diamond 39 (17%) Cessna 148 (63%) Aerospatiale 1 (15%) 




81+19+G 

Medium 1 (14%) 

72+14+14+G 


44 (19%) Single Piston 189 (81%) Light 1 (14%) 

Piston 5 (72%) 

233 7 

In June 2016, the Indian government announced it would permit 

domestic airlines to fly overseas provided they deploy 20 planes 

or 20% of capacity on local routes. Earlier carriers needed to have 

a minimum of 20 aircraft in their fleet and five years of domestic 

service – known as the 5/20 rule. The move opens up the fastestgrowing 

civil aviation market, making the market more attractive 

to larger carriers. As with markets across the region, the country 

will now need to focus on how to maintain the growing industry 

through aviation personnel. India is specifically facing a shortage 

of type-rated pilots. The state-run company Air India is preparing 

for this shortage, by hiring over 500 type-rated pilots for the 

carrier’s narrow-body fleet. 

India has a total of 38 training facilities, with 29 of those approved 

by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) – as of October 

2016. Requirements for a CPL include 200 flight hours and 40 

flight hours for a PPL. To receive a CPL, students must possess 

a 10+2 pass from ICSE/CBSE/State Board in math and physics, 

as well as having a physical fitness certificate from a DGCAapproved 

medical practitioner. To receive a PPL, it is not necessary 

to possess a 10+2 certificate. Those applying for a PPL can 

expect varied rates ranging from 5,000 USD to 15,000 USD – for 

a program lasting around six to eight months. CPL rates are much 

more stable, typically around 30,000 USD, for a program lasting 

around 18 months. 

Cessna is the most popular training fleet model, accounting for 

63%, followed by Diamond with 17%, and Piper with 9%. 

Top Models 



28+0+21+0+10+0+5+0+3 


Cessna 152 64 

Schweizer S-300 1 

Diamond DA40 

Piper PA-34 

Diamond DA42 

15 

9 

30 

24 | 2016 ASIA PACIFIC TRAINING SCHOOL REPORT 

Aerospatiale Alouette III 

DHRUV 

4+0+1+0+1 +0+1 

1 

1

INDIA 




9+0+5+0+4+0+3+0+3 

Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Uran Akademi 27 Banasthali Vidyapith Gliding Flying Club 3 

Gondia National Flying Training Institute 14 

HAL Rotary Wing Academy 

3 

Falcon Aviation Academy 12 

Rajputana Aviation Academy 

1 

Bombay Flying Club 

Academy of Carver Aviation 

11 

11 

3+0+3+0+1 




Simulator 

Name 

Foreign 

Students 

PPL CPL IR 

Multi Type 

Engine Rating 


FFS 

Rating 

FTD 

Mechanics 


FIXED-WING/ 

HELICOPTER 

Banasthali Vidyapith Gliding Flying Club ● ● ● ● 

Rajputana Aviation Academy ● ● ● ● ● ● 

Academy of Carver Aviation ● ● ● ● ● ● ● 

Ahmedabad Aviation and Aeronautics ● ● ● ● ● 

Amber Aviation ● ● ● ● 

Ambitions Aviation Academy ● ● ● ● 

Ambitions Flying Club ● ● ● ● 

Amritsar Aviation Club ● ● 

FIXED-WING 

Asia Pacific Flight Training Academy ● ● ● ● ● ● 

Bihar Flying Training Institute ● ● ● ● 

Bombay Flying Club ● ● ● ● ● ● ● 

Chimes Aviation Academy ● ● ● ● ● 

Falcon Aviation Academy ● ● ● ● ● 

Flytech Aviation Academy ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● 

Frank Airways 

● 

Garg Aviation ● ● ● ● 

Gondia National Flying Training Institute ● ● ● 


INDIA 



Simulator 

Name 

Foreign 

Students 

PPL CPL IR 

Multi Type 

Engine Rating 


FFS 

Rating 

FTD 

Mechanics 


Government Aviation Training Institute ● ● ● ● ● ● 

Govt. Flying Training School ● ● ● 

Gujarat Flying Club ● ● ● 

Haryana Institute of Civil Aviation ● ● ● ● 

Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Uran Akademi ● ● ● ● ● ● ● 

Jamshedpur Cooperative Flying Club ● ● ● ● ● ● ● 

Madhya Pradesh Flying Club ● ● ● ● 

Madras Flying Club ● ● ● ● 

Mams Air ● ● ● ● ● ● 

FIXED-WING 

Nagpur Flying Club ● ● ● 

Orient Flight School ● ● ● ● ● ● 

Patiala Aviation Club ● ● ● 

Pioneer Flying Academy ● ● ● 

Rajiv Gandhi Academy for Aviation Technology ● ● 

Saraswati Aviation Academy ● ● ● ● ● 

Sha-Shib Flying Academy ● ● ● ● ● ● 

SKVM’s Flying Academy of Aviation ● ● ● ● ● 

SpeedJet Aviation ● ● ● ● ● 

Telangana State Aviation Academy ● ● ● ● ● ● 

Wings Aviation ● ● ● ● ● 

HELICOPTER 

HAL Rotary Wing Academy 

● 



THAILAND 

5 84 

3 


Piper 1 (1%) 



58+41+1+G 

Diamond 34 (41%) Cessna 49 (58%) 

84 

83+17+G 

84 


The Thai aviation sector is experiencing growth, despite the ICAO 

‘red-flagging’ the country over safety concerns. Local carriers are 

now unable to add more flights or open new routes in the US, 

Japan, or South Korea. The aviation governing body’s downgrade 

is partly attributed to the lack of qualified inspectors, who were 

assigned to check multiple aircraft models, rather than the one 

model they were certified for. The country has since confirmed its 

commitment to safety standards and regulations. However, it is 

now up to training facilities to ensure standards and regulations 

are understood from the beginning. 

Currently, there are five training facilities including one government 

institution and three private institutions, offering training for 

private students, and those who have joined an airline scholarship 

program with a career path for that particular airline. In the latter 

case, airlines will partner with training facilities and send their 

students who already hold a Bachelor’s Degree, as well as have 

passed airline examinations. In order for a private student to 

acquire a PPL, the candidate must be at least 18 years of age, have 

completed the equivalent to high school level, possess a good 

command of oral and written English, with an aptitude for math 

and physical science, pass the aviation medical test (physical 

and mental), and have 45 flight hours and 145 ground training 

hours. For a CPL, a student must be at least 18 years old, hold the 

equivalent to a Bachelor’s Degree, have a TOEIC score of at least 

600, and pass the aviation medical test (physical and mental), as 

well as 226 flight training hours, 40 synthetic flight training hours, 

and 418 ground training hours. 

Thailand’s training aircraft fleet stands at 87, with two OEMs 

dominating the fixed-wing fleet – Diamond and Cessna. 




Top 

Cessna 172 44 




Models1 

15+0+7+0+4 

Bangkok Aviation Center 33 

Civil Aviation Training Center 

SRI-RACHA Aviation 

10+0+8+0+4 

12 

25 



THAILAND 




Simulator 

Name 

Foreign 

Students 

PPL CPL IR 

Multi Type 

Engine Rating 


FFS 

Rating 

FTD 

Mechanics 


FIXED-WING/ 

HELICOPTER 

FIXED-WING 

Civil Aviation Training Center ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● 

Bangkok Aviation Center ● ● ● ● ● ● ● 

Nakhon Phanom University - International 

Aviation College 

● ● ● ● ● ● ● 

Royal Skyways ● ● ● ● ● 

SRI-RACHA Aviation ● ● ● ● 


PHILIPPINES 

34 284 

2 


Tecnam 4 (2%) 


Piper 26 (9%) 

85+10+4+1+0+G 

284 

88+12+0+G 

Aero Commander 1 

Cessna 242 (85%) 


Light Twin Piston 33 (12%) Turboprop 1 

284 


Although the island nation faces ongoing infrastructure challenges 

with airports and space, the country is still on track for growth 

in 2016. Local carriers Philippine Airlines and Cebu Pacific have 

added more international flights to and from Cebu and domestic 

capacity has increased. With the Philippines now being looked 

at as a hub for flying schools within Asia, the country must now 

prepare for an influx of students and passenger traffic. 

Because of the low cost of training and living, the Philippines 

attracts a number of students – both locally and internationally 

– due to its ease of entry, quick student visa process, and its 

relatively relaxed admissions requirements. With 34 training 

facilities within the country, the Philippines has one of the highest 

number of schools, behind Australia, China, and India, respectively. 

Although the country has the geographic makeup suitable for 

helicopters, there are relatively few schools that provide helicopter 

training. However, with 90% of facilities utilizing piston aircraft 

there’s a strong indication that most facilities use ab-initio training. 

In order for students in the Philippines to acquire a CPL, they must 

first have a PPL. Requisites for a PPL include a minimum age of 

17, fluency in written and oral English, Class 3 medical certificate, 

passing the Aviation Training Organization (ATO) general test, 

as well as the practical flight test and oral exam and 40 hours of 

flight. Requisites for a CPL include a minimum age of 18, holding a 

PPL, fluency in written and oral English, Class 1 medical certificate, 

ATO general test, flight test, and oral exam, as well as 150 hours of 

flight. 

A total of 284 fixed-wing aircraft are utilized for training purposes, 

with about 85% of the fixed-wing fleet using Cessna – specifically 

the Cessna 152 and Cessna 172. 

Top Models 




34+0+31+0+13 

Cessna 152 104 

Cessna 172 

Cessna 150 

40 

95 


Omni Aviation 

Airlink International Aviation College 

Airworks Aviation 

All Asia Aviation Academy 

APG International Aviation Academy 

1 

Schweizer S-300 2 

Flight and Simulator Training Academy 

7+0+7+0+6+0+5 +0+5+0+5 

24 

21 

17 

15 

14 

14 


PHILIPPINES 




Simulator 

Name 

Foreign 

Students 

PPL CPL IR 

Multi Type 

Engine Rating 


FFS 

Rating 

FTD 

Mechanics 


FIXED-WING/ 

HELICOPTER 

Masters Flying School ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● 

Adventure Flight Education and Sports ● ● ● ● ● ● 

Aero Equipt Aviation ● ● ● 

Aeronavigation Academy International 

Philippines 

● ● ● ● ● 

Airlink International Aviation College ● ● ● ● ● ● 

Airworks Aviation Company ● ● ● 

All Asia Aviation Academy ● ● ● ● ● ● 

Alpha Aviation Group - Philippines ● ● ● ● ● ● 

APG International Aviation Academy ● ● ● ● ● ● ● 

Asian Institute of Aviation ● ● ● ● ● ● 

Aviair Aviation School ● ● ● 

Aviation Training - 1 International ● ● 

Cheynair Aviation ● ● ● ● ● ● ● 

Continental Aero Flying School ● ● ● ● ● ● 

Cyclone Airways & Flying School ● ● ● 

Delta Air International Aviation Academy ● ● ● ● ● ● 

FIXED-WING 

Eagle Air Academy ● ● ● ● ● 

Fastlink Aviation Training Center ● ● ● ● ● 

Flight and Simulator Training Academy ● ● ● ● ● ● 

Flightline Aviation ● ● ● ● ● ● 

Indiana Aerospace University ● ● ● ● ● 

Leading Edge International Aviation 

Academy 

Mactan Aviation Technology Center ● ● ● 

● ● ● ● ● ● ● 

Omni Aviation ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● 

One Horizon School of Aviation ● ● ● ● 

Orient Aviation ● ● ● ● ● ● 

PAL Aviation School ● ● ● ● ● 

Philippine Pilots Academy 

● 

Royhle Flight Academy ● ● ● ● ● ● ● 

Sapphire International Aviation Academy ● ● ● ● ● ● ● 

Strike Wing Aviation Training Centre ● ● ● ● 

University of Perpetual Help Rizal - 

School of Aviation 

Visayas Aerospace College and Technology ● ● ● 

● ● ● ● ● ● ● 

WCC Aviation Company ● ● ● ● ● ● ● 


MALAYSIA 

8 74 

3 


Socata 1 (1%) 

Cessna 8 (11%) 

Piper 32 (43%) 



15 (20%) 

45+43+11+1+G 

74 

80+20+G 

74 



Malaysia’s aerospace industry is expected to provide more than 

32,000 skilled jobs by 2030, according to the International Civil 

Aviation Organization (ICAO). While the ICAO’s projection makes it 

clear that solutions to fulfill this demand are necessary, many still 

point to the high-profile crashes of Malaysia Airlines flights citing 

training inefficiencies. The country has since called for improved 

security and safety measures. 

Currently, there are eight training schools in Malaysia, where 

students can earn a PPL (approximately 10,000 USD) or a CPL 

(approximately 65,000 USD). Additionally, there are around 15 

flying clubs that provide training services. Prior to receiving a PPL, 

students are required to have a minimum of 45 hours of flying, 

pass the Class Two medical examination, pass six examinations 

with a score of 75 or higher including Air Navigation and Flight 

Planning, Aircraft Technical Knowledge, Meteorology, Human 

Factors, Flight Radiotelephony, and Law, as well as passing the 

flight test. For a CPL, students are required to have a minimum of 

200 hours of flying, out of which 156 hours should be on a singleengine 

airplane and 35 hours on a twin-engine airplane. Students 

must also pass the Class One medical examination, the six 

previously mentioned exams with a score of 75 or higher, and the 

flight test. 

The most commonly used training aircraft in Malaysia are the 

Piper and Diamond, accounting for 43% and 45% of the fleet, 

respectively. Malaysia’s fleet differs greatly from other countries 

in the region, where Cessna is the most popular model at training 

facilities. Cessna makes up 11% of Malaysia’s fleet. 

Top Models 




8+0+8+0+3+0+2+0+2 


Piper PA-28 

Diamond DA42 

Piper PA-44 

Cessna 172 

8 

6 

5 

25 


Malaysian Flying Academy 20 

HM Aerospace 

Asia Pacific Flight Training 

International Aero Training Academy 

Air Adventure Flying Club 

7+0+6+0+5+0+3+0+2 

18 

16 

9 

5 

1 



MALAYSIA 




Simulator 

Name 

Foreign 

Students 

PPL CPL IR 

Multi Type 

Engine Rating 


FFS 

Rating 

FTD 

Mechanics 


FIXED-WING/ 

HELICOPTER 

Asia Pacific Flight Training ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● 

Air Adventure Flying Club ● ● 

Fras Flying Club ● ● 

FIXED-WING 

HM Aerospace ● ● ● ● ● ● 

International Aero Training Academy ● ● ● ● ● 

Malaysian Flying Academy ● ● ● ● ● ● 

Sabah Flying Club 

● 

Subang Flying Club ● ● 


SINGAPORE 

3 34 


Others 2 (6%) 

Socata 1 (3%) 


47+44+3+6+G 



34 

94+6+G 

34 

Cessna 16 (47%) 


Aviation in Singapore is a key aspect of its economy. Although 

it is one of the smallest air travel markets throughout the Asia- 

Pacific region, growth is expected. The International Air Transport 

Association (IATA) expects that by 2035, Singapore will handle 

about 117 million passengers. To handle the projected growth, 

along with the severe pilot shortage, Airbus will open a training 

academy in partnership with Singapore Airlines. The new center is 

expected to house 50 instructors and 25 support staff and will be 

set up near the Seletar Airport. 

According to Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS), “Any 

organization intending to conduct training leading to a professional 

pilot license or an aircraft type rating must hold an Aviation 

Training Organization (ATO) approval. The ATO approvals are 

awarded to Flying Training Organizations (FTO) and Type Rating 

Training Organizations (TRTO).” There are five schools on the 

CAAS’s list of approved FTOs, of which three are Singaporean 

companies: Singapore Flying College Pte Ltd, ST Aerospace 

Academy Pte Ltd, and Singapore Youth Flying Club. 

Singapore Flying College Pte Ltd. and ST Aerospace Academy Pte 

Ltd. ((ST Aerospace Academy only provides theory teaching in 

Singapore with flying training conducted overseas) both provide 

training for only a CPL license, while Singapore Youth Flying Club 

and Republic of Singapore Flying Club only provide training for 

the PPL license. The cost for PPL is around 36,750 USD and the 

cost for a CPL is around 100,000 USD. Although the number 

of training facilities providing CPL and PPL training is limited, 

the organizations offer top-notch training with advanced fullflight 

simulators, providing type-training. Singapore currently has 

around 10 simulator centers – a great indication of how developed 

commercial pilot training is within the country. In terms of training 

fleet, Cessna and Diamond account for nearly 50%, respectively. 

Top Models 




Cessna 172 

Diamond DA40 

5+0+5 

16 

15 

Singapore Flying College 18 

Singapore Youth Flying Club 

6+0+5 

15 




Simulator 

Name 

Foreign 

Students 

PPL CPL IR 

Multi Type 

Engine Rating 


FFS 

Rating 

FTD 

Mechanics 


FIXED-WING 

Republic of Singapore Flying Club 

● 

Singapore Flying College ● ● ● ● ● 

Singapore Youth Flying Club ● ● 



INDONESIA 

22 204 

4 


Liberty 5 (3%) 



Piper 61 (30%) 

54+30+7+3+3+2+1+G 

204 



94+6+G 

204 

Tecnam 4 (2%) 

American Champion Aircraft 1 (1%) 

Cessna 111 (54%) 


In the first five months of 2016, there were a total of 37.38 million 

air passengers – both domestic and international flights – in 

Indonesia, up 16% from the same period in 2015. The increase is 

expected to continue throughout the year. However, as with other 

Southeast Asian nations, Indonesia must also act to deal with 

the shortage of aviation personnel. In 2007, the Federal Aviation 

Administration (FAA) downgraded the country’s safety status after 

a series of airline accidents, barring local airlines from flying into 

the US. The status was upgraded in August of 2016, after checking 

regulations, airworthiness, and operations. The aviation industry, 

including training facilities, will now have to ensure these facilities 

are continuously meeting standards. 

There are a total of 22 training schools in Indonesia, more than 

its neighbor Malaysia (eight schools), Thailand (five schools), and 

fewer than the Philippines (34 schools). Most schools in Indonesia 

offer both PPL and CPL training, with half also providing multiengine 

training. To obtain a PPL in Indonesia, students need to 

fly at least 40 hours. A license can cost up to 30,000 USD, which 

is relatively expensive compared to certifications in Malaysia and 

India which cost 10,000 USD. A CPL has an average cost of 56,400 

USD, a price which is more similar to Malaysia at 65,000 USD, but 

much less than Singapore with a cost of 100,000 USD. The gap 

between the cost of a PPL and CPL is much more narrow than 

most other countries in the region. 

Of the 204 fixed-wing aircraft used for training in Indonesia, 54% 

of those are Cessna, 30% are Piper, and 7% are Socata. Only four 

helicopters are used for training in the country. 

Top Models 




33+0+18+0+5 

Cessna 172 100 

Piper PA-28 

TB-10 

14 

54 


Sekolah Tinggi Penerbangan Indonesia 44 

Bali International Flight Academy 

Perkasa Flight School 

Bandung International Aviation 

Deraya Flying School 

1+0+1 

Bell 206 3 

Robinson R44 

1 

BP3 12 

15+0+7+0+7+0+5+0+4 +0+4 

20 

20 

14 

12 


INDONESIA 




Simulator 

Name 

Foreign 

Students 

PPL CPL IR 

Multi Type 

Engine Rating 


FFS 

Rating 

FTD 

Mechanics 


FIXED-WING/ 

HELICOPTER 

Genesa Flight Academy ● ● ● ● ● ● ● 

Sekolah Tinggi Penerbangan Indonesia ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● 

Aero Flyer Institute ● ● ● ● ● ● 

Alfa Flying School ● ● ● ● 

Angkasa Aviation Academy ● ● ● 

Aviaterra Dinamika ● ● ● ● ● ● ● 

Bali International Flight Academy ● ● ● ● ● 

Bandung International Aviation ● ● ● ● ● ● 

BP3 ● ● ● ● 

Deraya Flying School ● ● ● ● ● 

FIXED-WING 

Dirgantara Pilot School ● ● ● ● 

Flybest Flight Academy ● ● ● ● ● ● 

Global Aviation Flying School ● ● ● ● 

Lombok Institute of Flight Technology ● ● ● ● ● ● 

Mandiri Utama Flight Academy ● ● ● ● ● 

Merpati Pilot School ● ● ● ● 

Musi Aviation Training ● ● ● 

NAM Flying School ● ● ● ● 

Nusa Flying International ● ● ● ● ● ● 

Perkasa Flight School ● ● ● ● ● ● ● 

Proflight Indonesia ● ● ● ● 

Trans Asia Pacific Aviation Training ● ● ● ● ● 


AVIATORY 

INDONESIA 

Q&A WITH PRESIDENT, 

ZIVA NARENDRA ARIFIN 

Interview by Litalia Yoakum 

As the Asia-Pacific region faces a manpower shortage within aviation, the industry is left to 

scramble to find a solution. Ziva Narendra Arifin, with his 20 years of experience in the aviation 

industry, is determined to not only help solve the problem, but to help others recognize this 

problem. 

What is your background in aviation and how did 

Aviatory Indonesia come about? 

Aviatory Indonesia was conceived as an idea that had been 

discussed between my partners and myself for quite some time. 

While all four of us came from a flying background – with three of us 

actually going to pilot school together – it was not until early 2014 

that we agreed to establish ourselves as an organization that not 

only serves existing needs in the aviation industry, particularly those 

of Indonesia, but also to carry the ability of proactively engaging 

into new frontiers and opportunities that would yield to positive 

contributions to the industry itself as part of a global community. 

My experience outside of flying which includes air charter 

management and media communications industry has allowed me 

to provide broader insights to and from the aviation sector as part of 

an economy ecosystem. This was the foundation to our group upon 

establishing Aviatory Indonesia in August 2014. 

regulatory discussions are some of the key roles that our group is 

focusing on at the moment. 

We also collaborate with other organizations such as Indonesia 

General Aviation Forum and Indonesian Pilots Association as well 

as the Air Law Society through a series of events and discussions 

pertaining various issues that prevail in the civil aviation industry, 

whether they bring forward direct or indirect impact. 

Can you explain the situation with training schools in 

Indonesia and in Asia-Pacific region? 

Interestingly enough, there are a number of aviation training schools 

and institutions both in Indonesia and throughout the APAC region. 

However, we are still faced with the reality of the human capital 

shortage that has been looming over our heads in the past decade 

as residual effects of the Asia economic crisis in late 1990s and 

global recession in the late 2000s. 

What services do Aviatory Indonesia provide? 

We have identified several key areas where we assist our 

stakeholders, especially during these times when industry growth 

often coincides with regulatory boundaries. Areas including aviation 

manpower and education which are our forte; new market studies, 

aircraft volume optimization, as well as broader issues such as 

In Indonesia alone, we will require as many as 1,200 new pilots 

and more than 3,000 engineers to match the industry’s combined 

fleet growth, as well as the rate of retiring aviation personnel. We 

also face the equal (though not quite as visible) threat of scarcity 

in other areas of expertise including aviation management, legal, 

IT, finances, and other skills that were built upon the foundation of 

aviation-driven educational programs. These threats do not only 


INTERVIEW: ZIVA NARENDRA ARIFIN, 

AVIATORY INDONESIA PRESIDENT 

concern the airlines (Part 121), but also other sectors including 

charter (Part 135), private/business aviation (Part 91), MRO 

business (Part 145), agricultural operations (Part 137), as well as 

other areas that fall under Part 141 including flight schools, flying 

clubs, and experimental aviation. 

So when provided these facts, the answer is that training schools are 

not adequate, still short from providing the right services, and not 

(able) to recruit enough students, which may come as mind-tingling 

when we think about the number of new graduates being produced 

by these schools yet still serve as a shy figure as compared to the 

demand factor. 

Today, there are still some 920 graduate cadets (new or recent 

graduate pilots in possession of a CPL SE/IR with 150-160 actual 

flying hours) that are still having a hard time finding jobs, which 

is equal to a ratio of 1:1.3 reflected against the demand if we 

look from the quantity perspective. However, if we look from the 

quality perspective the actual figure may be quite the opposite - 

with average combined air carrier’s intake of only 300 new cadets 

every year, we are still short of some 900 pilots with the bulk of the 

recruitment still carried by the airlines. 

The factors behind this are quite simple: time and experience. 

Firstly, fresh pilot graduates lack the time and experience that most 

air carriers desire (business factor) and require (regulatory factor). 

Secondly, the majority of new cadets were brought in with the 

expectation that they would be immediately recruited by carriers 

straight after graduation. Lastly, pilot schools have very limited 

training resources (aircraft, instructors, facilities) to allow more 

optimized training programs to be conducted. 

Although the ratio and figures for other roles such as flight 

attendants, mechanics/engineers, FOO, and ground personnel 

may not be as dire and while it may seem like a “chicken and egg” 

situation, these challenges need to be encountered and resolved 

immediately. 

What are the differences between training facilities in 

North America and Europe vs. those in Asia Pacific, 

if any? 

Under the umbrella of international aviation regulation (International 

Civil Aviation Organization and the Civil Aviation Safety Regulations), 

in theory training practices should share similarities in one way or 

another between member countries. However, factors such as 

topography, economy/trade, law/politics, culture, and environment 

in general require regulations to be adapted in accordance with the 

state/country’s characteristics. 

This is where the ICAO Annex Standards and Recommended 

Practices play a huge role. Indonesia as an archipelago consisting 

more than 13,000 islands with 1,9-million square-kilometers worth 

of territory (with 98,000 being territory of bodies of water) already 

pose challenge for properly-working aviation ecosystem to function. 

Out of 637 airports/airfields/aerodromes known to exist across the 

territory, only some 260 are registered and certified for various use, 

where more than 80% are designated to serve primarily commercial 

traffic, the military, special purpose, or a combination of the three. 

Furthermore, if we compare the combined volume of training 

facilities + training aircraft + flight instructors, the ratio for 

Indonesian ab-initio/basic flight schools is in the ballpark of 1:250 

against that of North America, 1:150 against Europe, and 1:75 

against Australia. 

Is Indonesia seeing the impacts of the pilot shortage? 

Yes, the pilot shortage was recognized in 2009, which was when 

global demand for pilots rose and migration of Indonesian pilots to 

overseas carriers took place. 

What is the industry doing to deal with this 

unprecedented shortage? 

In the past decade, the industry has been proactively working to 

reduce the manpower shortage through mutual understanding 

and partnership between operators (air carriers), training providers 

(schools), and regulators (DGCA). However, as I mentioned above, 

we need to step up and focus to put quality before quantity - refining 

our methods until it becomes a productive habit, and then expand. 

If this is not done in the near future, we will keep stumbling on the 

same predicament and repeat history. 

What is the best solution to recruiting qualified 

candidates? 

I always reflect on the fundamental three steps: “Recognize, 

Standardize, and Optimize”. 

These components serve as a chain/sequence and are not 

interchangeable between one and another. By recognizing the 

current capacity of our aviation industry as a whole, including 

its strength and shortcomings we will have a better view of the 

strategic map to implement our improvement plans. Through 

standardization, not only can we allow ourselves to move forward 

on the same path, but also to huddle in the regulation as our true 

guideline, not only in written form but also daily practices. Lastly, by 

optimizing our strength and capacity we can multiply our success 

rate based on proven track records. 

Showing consistency in the above steps is crucial towards gaining 

the industry’s recognition and global market confidence. Reflecting 

in Indonesia’s aviation industry has achieved the peak of a learning 

curve and must only sustain through continuous improvement. 

What do expect out of the Indonesia aviation industry 

within the next couple of years? 

I expect for Indonesia’s aviation industry to become more mature and 

equally-spread across the sectors; allowing all the freedom that civil 

aviation has to offer while increasing awareness and responsibility 

from its practitioners - both individual and organizational. I cannot 

stress enough on the importance of consistency as rule of thumb, 

which encompass best practice and healthy competition among 

others. 

www.aviatoryindonesia.com 


AUSTRALIA 

123 855 

257 



American Champion Aircraft 

20 (2%) Partenavia 12 (1%) 




Piper 260 (30%) 

42+30+8+8+6+3+2+1+G 

Others 72 (8%) 


MD 2 (1%) 



59+25+10+4+1+1+0+0+G 

855 257 

Leonardo 1 

Bell Helicopter 

Cessna 357 (42%) 64 (25%) 




79+18+2+1+G 

62+30+5+3+G 

Turboprop 18 (2%) Jet 8 (1%) Medium 10 (4%) 

Light Twin 7 (3%) 


143 (17%) Single Piston 686 (80%) Single 72 (28%) 

Piston 168 (65%) 

855 257 

According to the International Air Transport Association (IATA), 

the Australian domestic aviation market had weaker demand than 

any other major region of the world last year. The country, hit by a 

downturn in flying in the mining and oil and gas sectors, is turning 

toward tourism to help boost demand. Australia’s international 

carriers are facing dropping airfares, as a result of increased 

competition. The matured aviation industry in Australia will still need 

to prepare for the onset of personnel shortages within the region. 

The country is a key player in aviation, particularly for its training 

facilities, known for high standards and an abundance of space, as 

well as the quality of safety in aviation – making Australia one of the 

safest countries to train worldwide. 

Because Australia is highly regarded for its recreational and sport 

flying, the country has Recreational Aviation Australia (RAA), 

responsible for overseeing ultralight, recreational, and Light Sport 

Aircraft (LSA) operations. There are a number of RAA-approved 

training schools across the country, which provide training specific 

to this type of flying. Although training under this curriculum is less 

expensive, because of lower fuel usage rates, aircraft accidents 

under this type of flying have increased since 2005. RAA training 

hours cannot be counted toward CPL certification. 

Australia has the highest number of training schools throughout 

the Asia-Pacific region, with 123 training schools. The facilities 

range from international training schools to local country flying 

clubs with only one aircraft and one instructor. Several airline 

programs are based in the country including Cathay Pacific, China 

Airlines, Dragon Air, Qantas Link, Virgin Australia, Air Asia, Jet Star, 

China Eastern Airlines and Hainan Airlines. Students in Australia 

can earn a Recreational Pilot License (RPL, previously known as 

GFPT), a license which is not recognized overseas, which includes 

the lowered age requirement of 16 and just 25 flight training 

hours – five of which are solo flown. Typically, 35 hours of flight 

sufficiently prepares students for the final flight exam. RPL holders 

are permitted to fly within 25 nautical-miles of the aerodrome 

and carry passengers, however are unable to fly at night and may 

not fly multi-engine. To earn a PPL, students need to be at least 

17 years old, fly an additional 10 hours after RPL certification, 

including six hours of solo flight, Class 2 medical certificate, a 

mark of 70 or above on a written exam covering seven subjects. 

Typically, an additional 30 hours of flight time is sufficient. A CPL 

requires students to be at least 18 years old, obtain a Class 1 

medical examination, have a total of 150 flying hours including 

70 hours as pilot-in-command (PIC), 20 hours of cross-country 

PIC, and 10 hours of instrument flight. RPL and CPL hours can be 

included. 

Helicopter endorsements are also popular throughout Australia, 

with night VRF rating, ATPL, multi-crew testing, and multi-mission 

endorsements available. 

The most used fixed-wing aircraft in Australia is the Cessna, 

accounting for 42% of fixed-wing aircraft used for training. Piper 

accounts for 30%. Of the rotary-wing aircraft used for training, 59% 

are Robinson and 25% are Bell Helicopter. 


AUSTRALIA 

Top Models 



Cessna 172 

Piper PA-28 

70+0+60+0+20+0+15+0+13 

Robinson R44 

211 77 

179 Robinson R22 

67 

Cessna 152 61 Bell 206 

40 

Diamond DA40 

44 Airbus Helicopters H130 16 

Piper PA-44 39 Schweizer S-300 

11 


34+0+33+0+20 +0+8+0+5 



Oxford Aviation Academy (Australia) 59 

Basair Australia 

Flight Training Adelaide 

Moorabbin Flight Training Academy 

Western Australian Aviation College 

Australian National Airline College 30 

ST Aerospace Academy (Australia) 

Australian Airline Pilot Academy 

Royal Victorian Aero Club 

The Redcliffe Aero Club 

Australian International Aviation 


20+0+18+0+17+0+11+0+10 +0+10+0+8+0+8+0+7+0+6+0+6 

33 

25 

24 

22 

18 

18 

31 

55 

51 

15+0+12+0+10 +0+8+0+6+0+6+0+6+0+5+0+4+0+4 

Bankstown Helicopters 31 

Professional Helicopter Services 

Central West Helicopter School 

Airways Aviation 

Helibiz 

Becker Helicopters 12 

Kestrel Aviation College 

Airwork Helicopters 

Rotor-Lift 

Australian Helicopter Academy 

Fixed-Wing Pilot Training Helicopter Pilot Training Simulator 

11 

10 

9 

9 

24 

20 

16 

13 

Name 

Foreign 

Students 

PPL CPL IR 

Multi Type 

Engine Rating 


FFS 

Rating 

FTD 

Mechanics 


FIXED-WING/ 

HELICOPTER 

Airways Aviation ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● 

Flight Training Adelaide ● ● ● ● ● ● ● 

A C Airways ● ● ● ● 

FIXED-WING 

Adelaide Biplanes ● ● ● 

Advanced Pilot Training 

● 

Aero Dynamic Flight Academy ● ● ● ● 


AUSTRALIA 



Simulator 

Name 

Foreign 

Students 

PPL CPL IR 

Multi Type 

Engine Rating 


FFS 

Rating 

FTD 

Mechanics 


Aerospace Flight Training ● ● 

Air Australia International ● ● ● ● 

Air Cadets School of Aviation ● ● 

Air Gold Coast ● ● ● ● ● 

Airborne Aviation ● ● ● ● ● 

Airline Academy of Australia ● ● ● ● ● ● 

Amber Aviation Academy ● ● ● ● ● 

Australian Aerobatic Academy ● ● 

Australian Airline Pilot Academy ● ● ● ● ● ● 

Australian International Aviation College ● ● ● ● ● 

Australian National Airline College ● ● ● ● ● 

Australian Wings Academy ● ● ● ● ● ● 

Av8 Flight Training 

● 

Aviation College ● ● ● ● 

Basair Australia ● ● ● ● ● ● 

Bendigo Aviation Services ● ● ● ● ● ● 

Bob Harris Flying School ● ● ● ● 

Bruce Hartwig Flying School ● ● ● ● ● 

FIXED-WING 

Bunbury Aero Club ● ● ● ● ● 

Bunbury Flying School ● ● ● ● ● ● 

China Southern-W Aust Flying College ● ● ● ● 

Clamback & Hennessy ● ● ● ● ● 

Curtis Aviation ● ● ● ● 

Darling Down Aero Club ● ● ● 

Essendon Flying School 

● 

Flight Academy Australia ● ● ● ● ● ● 

Flight One Services ● ● ● ● ● 

Flight Options (Australia) ● ● ● ● ● ● 

Fly Oz ● ● ● ● 

Gil Layt'S Flying School ● ● 

GoFly Aviation 

● 

Goldfields Air Services ● ● ● ● 

Gostner Aviation ● ● ● ● 

Goulburn Aviation 

● 

Goulburn Flight Training Academy ● ● ● 

Great Southern Aviation ● ● 

Illawarra Flying School 

● 

Inbound Aviation Services ● ● ● ● ● 


AUSTRALIA 



Simulator 

Name 

Foreign 

Students 

PPL CPL IR 

Multi Type 

Engine Rating 


FFS 

Rating 

FTD 

Mechanics 


Interair ● ● ● ● 

International Aviation Academy of Australia ● ● ● ● ● ● 

Jadakot Flight Centre ● ● 

Kelmac Aviation ● ● 

Learn to Fly ● ● ● ● 

Lilydale Flying School ● ● ● ● ● 

Manning River Aero Club ● ● 

Melbourne Flight Training ● ● ● ● ● ● 

Merit Aviation ● ● ● ● 

Minovation Flying School ● ● 

Moorabbin Flight Training Academy 

New England Air Training & Charter 

● 

● 

New England Flight Training ● ● 

North Queensland Aero Club ● ● ● ● 

Northern Rivers Aero Club ● ● ● 

NSW Air ● ● ● ● ● 

Oxford Aviation Academy (Australia) ● ● ● ● ● ● 

Pacific Flight Services ● ● ● ● ● ● 

FIXED-WING 

Peace Aviation ● ● ● 

Pearson Aviation ● ● ● ● ● 

Peninsula Aero Club ● ● ● ● ● 

Phoenix Flying School ● ● 

Polar Aviation 

● 

Professional Pilot Training ● ● 

Queensland Aviation Services ● ● ● ● 

Red Baron Flight Training ● ● ● ● ● 

Royal Newcastle Aero Club ● ● 

Royal Queensland Aero Club ● ● ● ● ● ● 

Royal Victorian Aero Club ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● 

Shine Aviation Services ● ● ● ● ● 

Skythrills ● ● 

Soar Aviation ● ● 

ST Aerospace Academy (Australia) ● ● 

Sunland Aviation Service ● ● ● 

Sunshine Coast Flight Training Australia ● ● 

Texrio ● ● ● ● 

The Redcliffe Aero Club ● ● ● ● ● 

Thomas Aviation 

● 

Tristar Aviation ● ● ● ● ● ● 


AUSTRALIA 



Simulator 

Name 

Foreign 

Students 

PPL CPL IR 

Multi Type 

Engine Rating 


FFS 

Rating 

FTD 

Mechanics 


TVSA ● ● ● ● ● 

FIXED-WING 

University Flying Club 

● 

UNSW ● ● ● 

Wagga Air Centre ● ● ● 

Western Australian Aviation College ● ● ● ● ● 

Aerial Agriculture 

● 

Aeropower ● ● ● ● 

Aerowasp ● ● ● 

Air T & G ● ● 

Airwork Helicopters ● ● 

Attitude Helicopter Training ● ● 

Austcopters ● ● 

Australian Helicopter Academy ● ● 

Bankstown Helicopters ● ● ● 

Becker Helicopters ● ● ● ● ● 

Blue Tongue Helicopters ● ● 

Central West Helicopter School ● ● ● 

GBR Aviation Flight Training Centre ● ● ● 

Gippsland Helicopters ● ● 

Gold Coast Helicopters ● ● 

Heli Fleet ● ● 

HELICOPTER 

Heli Scenic Flights & Training ● ● ● 

Heli West Group ● ● ● ● 

Helibiz ● ● ● 

Helicopter Transport & Training ● ● ● 

Helifly ● ● 

Jamco Aviation ● ● 

Kestrel Aviation College ● ● ● 

Koolardie Aviation ● ● 

Melbourne Helicopters ● ● 

Nautilus Aviation ● ● ● 

Professional Helicopter Services ● ● ● ● 

Rotor-Lift ● ● ● ● 

Rotorvation Helicopter Services ● ● ● 

Skyline Aviation Group ● ● 

South Coast Helicopters ● ● 

The Helicopter Group ● ● 

Townsville Helicopters ● ● 

V2 Helicopters ● ● ● 

Valkyrie Air Services 

● 



NEW ZEALAND 

36 226 

95 



GippsAero 2 (1%) 



Alpha 16 (7%) 


42+23+19+7+2+2+1+1+1+2+G 

Grumman American 2 (1%) 

Tecnam 2 (1%) 

Others 5 (2%) 

Cessna 96 (42%) 

MD 2 (2%) 




40+37+11+5+3+2+2+G 

226 95 

Piper 52 (23%) Robinson 34 (36%) 

Leonardo 2 (2%) 

Airbus Helicopters 

39 (41%) 




86+14+G 

Light Twin Piston 31 (14%) Medium 12 (13%) 

Single 38 (40%) 

45+40+13+2+G 

226 95 

Light Twin 2 (2%) 

Piston 43 (45%) 

Although the New Zealand aviation industry is small compared to 

others throughout the region, it is still an active market, with one 

aircraft for every 1200 people -- according to New Zealand’s Civil 

Aviation Authority. Flight training sector in New Zealand is also an 

important aspect of oversea income. A large part of the industry 

also consists of civil helicopters, ideal for the country’s geographic 

layout. 

New Zealand has 36 training schools operating 321 training 

aircraft. 19 of these schools only offer fixed-wing training, while 

15 provide helicopter training, and two offer both. There are 11 

flight training schools that can assist in acquiring a New Zealand 

Diploma in aviation, with currently 25 Part 141 Certification holders 

providing flight training. 

New Zealand and Australia provide pilots with the unique 

opportunity of a recognizing certifications within each country. 

If a pilot has studied and acquired licenses in New Zealand, they 

may then use that certification to fly in Australia, with no trouble 

and equally the other way around. Primary rules governing flight 

training within the country include Part 61 and Part 141, regulating 

pilots and flight instructor certification and pilot schools. 

Although Part 141 certifications are Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) 

accreditations for a training organization, it is not compulsory. 

Under Part 61 training, students going for a fixed-wing PPL are 

required 50 flying hours or 40, if the applicant is not undertaking 

cross-country training. For a CPL, 200 flying hours are required 

or 150 if the student has completed an approved training course 

(training by Part 141 certification holders). For a helicopter PPL, 

students are required to have 50 flying hours. Those going for a 

CPL need 150 hours or 125 hours, if the student has completed an 

approved training course (trained by Part 141 certification holders). 

Schools operating under Part 141 do not generally discount on 

flying hours, as employers value this curriculum. Mountain flying 

training is required for both fixed-wing and helicopter CPL. 

Because recreational flying is popular in New Zealand, there are a 

number of flying clubs. Although these use a membership frame 

and mainly provide recreational flying and training, some of them 

can still provide PPL and CPL training. 

Of the fixed-wing training aircraft in New Zealand, 42% are Cessna, 

23% are Piper, and 19% are Diamond. The top model is the Cessna 

172, with the Cessna 152 behind. Of the helicopters used for 

training, 41% are Airbus Helicopters and 36% are Robinson. 


NEW ZEALAND 

Top Models 



Cessna 172 67 Airbus Helicopters H130 

26 

Cessna 152 

Piper PA-38 

Piper PA-28 

Diamond DA20 

22+0+8+0+7+0+6+0+5 

25 Robinson R22 

20 

22 

20 

17 


Robinson R44 

Airbus Helicopters BK117 

Bell 206 

26+0+21+0+15+0+10+0+9 

10 

9 

14 



CTC Aviation Training (NZ) 38 

Canterbury Aero Club 

Ardmore Flying School 

Nelson Aviation College 

Massey University School of Aviation 

13+0+9+0+6+0+5+0+5 

28 

19 

15 

15 

HNZ New Zealand 

Helicopters Otago 

Garden City Helicopters 

Wanaka Helicopters 

North Shore Helicopters 

15+0+15+0+14+0+12+0+10 

10 

15 

15 

14 

12 


NEW ZEALAND 




Simulator 

Name 

Foreign 

Students 

PPL CPL IR 

Multi Type 

Engine Rating 


FFS 

Rating 

FTD 

Mechanics 


FIXED-WING/ 

HELICOPTER 

Ardmore Flying School ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● 

Kapiti Districts Aero Club ● ● ● ● ● ● 

Air Gisborne ● ● ● ● ● 

Air Hawkes Bay ● ● ● ● ● ● 

Auckland Aero Club ● ● ● ● ● 

Canterbury Aero Club ● ● ● ● ● ● ● 

Classic Flights ● ● ● 

CTC Aviation Training (NZ) ● ● ● ● ● ● 

Eagle Flight Training ● ● ● ● ● ● ● 

Marlborough Aero Club ● ● 

Massey University School of Aviation ● ● ● ● ● 

FIXED-WING 

Nelson Aviation College ● ● ● ● ● ● 

New Zealand Aviation ● ● ● ● ● ● 

New Zealand International Commercial Pilot 

Academy 

● ● ● ● ● ● 

North Shore Aero Club ● ● ● ● ● 

RidgeAir ● ● ● ● 

Southern Wings ● ● ● ● ● ● ● 

Tauranga Aero Club ● ● ● ● ● 

Waikato Aero Club ● ● ● ● ● ● ● 

Wakatipu Aero Club ● ● ● ● 

Wellington Aero Club ● ● ● 

Christchurch Helicopters ● ● ● 

Garden City Helicopters ● ● ● ● 

Helicopters Otago ● ● ● ● 

Heliflite Charter & Training ● ● ● ● 

Helihunt 'N' Fish Taupo ● ● ● 

Heliworx Waikato ● ● ● ● 

HELICOPTER 

HNZ New Zealand ● ● 

Ice Aviation ● ● ● ● 

North Shore Helicopter Training ● ● ● ● 

North Shore Helicopters ● ● ● ● 

Shoreline Helicopters ● ● ● 

TNT Helicopters ● ● ● ● 

Wairarapa Helicopters ● ● ● ● 

Wanaka Helicopters ● ● ● ● 

Wyndon Aviation ● ● ● ● 


SIMULATOR 

TRAINING 




Under US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), flight simulators fall into two categories: Full Flight Simulator (FFS) and Flight Training 

Device (FTD). The FFS is a more advanced, more expensive model that can simulate a specific aircraft model (such as A320), at a very high 

level. This includes cockpit noise, night scene, static control loading, and movement of the actual simulator. The use of an FFS is often used 

for training and testing, as well as type-rating endorsements. 

FTD is less-advanced and less expensive system. The fixed-based FTD is typically one of the first steps when learning to fly and it’s a great 

way to become familiar with an aircraft. The system includes a display that may be flat or LCD, as well as controls, switches, and knobs 

that are either touch screen or physical controls. All countries have a requirement on the minimum flying hours (around 50 hours for PPL) 

before a student can take the flight test. The FAA has approved a maximum number of hours that can be included toward overall flying 

hours, when using an FTD. 

In Asia Pacific, there are around 47 simulator training centers and type training schools using only simulators. Of these training facilities, 

companies including CAE, Boeing, Airbus, Airbus Helicopter, and Flight Experience account for a large portion. Around 80% of these simulator 

training facilities are for airline aircraft, with Airbus and Boeing dominating the market. For business jets throughout the region, simulator 

training is likely located in Australia, China, Hong Kong, and South Korea. Most turboprop simulator training centers are located in Australia, 

while the helicopter simulator training centers are likely to be Airbus Helicopters training centers, which do not have any actual helicopters. 

39 

Gimpo 

Seoul 

38 

9 

Beijing 

New Delhi 

20 

Tokyo 

21 22 23 

10 

Longkou, Shandong 

8 

Guanghan, Sichuan 

Shanghai 

7 

Gurgaon 

17 

18 

47 

Kunming, Yunnan 

Taoyuan 

40 41 

Hyderabad 

16 

Hong Kong 

12 13 14 

42 43 44 45 46 

Bangkok 

Clark 

28 29 

Bangalore 

Zhuhai, Guangdong 

15 19 

11 

24 25 

Kuala Lumpur 

30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 

Singapore 

20 

Jakarta 

Brisbane 

3 

4 

Perth 

Wagga Wagga 

2 

6 

1 

5 

Melbourne 

26 

27 

Auckland 

Hamilton 



Commercial Airliner Full Flight Simulator Schools 

Name Airbus Boeing 

1 

2 

Ansett Aviation Training A320-232 B737-300/400/500 

Australian Airline Pilot Academy B737-700 

3 

Boeing Training & Flight Services Australia 

B717-200, B737-700/800/800W, B777-300ER 

5 

8 

Qantas Airways A330-200, A380-842 B737-400/800/800W, B747-438, B767-300ER/800 

Civil Aviation Flight University of China A320 B737-300/500/700/800 

9 

Hua-Ou Aviation Training Centre 

A320 family, A330, A340 

11 

12 

13 

Zhuhai Flight Training Centre A320 family, A330 B737 NG/300, B757-200, B777, B787 

CAE Hong Kong Training Centre A320, A330, A340 B737 NG 

Cathay Pacific Airways A320, A330, A340 B747-400, B777 

15 

17 

Airbus Training India 

CAE Delhi Training Centre 

A320 

A320 

18 

Flight Simulation Technique Centre A320 B737-800W 

20 

22 

Jakarta Aviation Training Centre 

JAL CAE Flight Training Centre 

B737-800W 

B737, B767, B777, B787 

23 

25 

26 

27 

Panda Flight Academy A320-200 B737-700W/800W 

CAE Kuala Lumpur Training Centre A320 B737 

Air New Zealand Aviation Institute A320-200 B737-300/400/500, B767-200, B777-300ER, B787 

CTC Aviation A320 B737, B757, B767 

28 

29 

31 

Alpha Aviation Group 

Philippine Academy for Aviation Training 

Airbus Asia Training Centre 

A320 

A320 

A320, A330, A350, A380 

32 

Boeing Training & Flight Services 

B737-800, B777, B787 

33 

Asian Aviation Centre of Excellence 

A320 

34 

35 

36 

Haite Aviation Training Singapore A320 B737-800W 

SilkAir (Singapore) A320 B737-800 

Singapore Airlines A330, A350, A380 B747-400, B777 

37 

ST Aerospace Academy Singapore 

A320 

39 

CAE Training Centre Korea A320, A330, A340 B737-800 

40 

Ansett Aviation Asia 

A320 

41 

42 

China Airlines Flight Training Center A330, A340 B744F, B744P, B737NG, B777 

Bangkok Airways A320-200, A330-200 

43 

Civil Aviation Training Center 

A320 

44 

45 

46 

47 

Euro Asian Aviation A320, A330 B737 

Flight Simulator Training Center A300-600, A330-300, A340-600, A380-800 B737-400, B747-400, B777-200/300/ER 

Pan Am International Flight Academy A320-200 B737-800W 

Kunming Aviation Safety Training A320 B737 



1 

3 

4 

Business and Regional Jet Full Flight Simulator Schools 

Ansett Aviation Training 

Boeing Training & Flight 

Services Australia 

Name British Aerospace Cessna Embraer Fokker Gulfstream 

British 

Aerospace 146 

Embraer 190 

Fokker100 

CAE Perth Training Centre Phenom 100 Fokker100 

Mcdonnell 

Douglas 

10 

Nanshan International Flight 

CJ1+ 

11 

Zhuhai Flight Training Centre Embraer 190 

14 

FlightSafety Hong Kong 

G450, G550 

38 

Korea Aerospace University 

CJ1+ 

47 

Kunming Aviation Safety Training 

MD90 

Turboprop Full Flight Simulator Schools 

Name ATR Beechcraft Bombardier Embraer Fairchild Fokker Gulfstream SAAB 

1 

2 

4 

5 

6 

14 

26 

42 

Ansett Aviation Training 

Australian Airline Pilot Academy 

CAE Perth Training Centre 

Qantas Airways 

Regional Express 

FlightSafety Hong Kong 

Air New Zealand 

Bangkok Airways 

ATR 72/-500/ 

-600 

ATR 42-300/500, 

ATR 72-200/212A 

King Air 

200 

King Air 

300/350 

Beechcraft 

1900 

Dash 8 Q100/ 

Q200/Q300 

Dash 8 Q100/ 

Q300 

Embraer 120 

DHC-8-400, 

DHC-8-300 

Fairchild 

Metro III 

Fokker 

50 

G450, 

G550 

SAAB 

340 A/B 

SAAB 

340 A/B 

SAAB 

340 A/B 

Helicopter Full Flight Simulator Schools 

Name Airbus Helicopters Bell Helicopter Sikorsky 

7 

Airbus Helicopters China 

H225 

11 

Zhuhai Flight Training Centre 

S76 

19 

Hatsoff Helicopters Training Bell 412 

21 

24 

30 

Airbus Helicopters Japan 

Airbus Helicopters Malaysia 

Airbus Helicopters Singapore 

H135 

H225 

AS365 



The information contained in this report is provided free of charge for reference only. While such information was 

compiled using the best available data as of September 2016, ASG makes no warranties, either expressed or implied, 

concerning the accuracy, completeness, reliability, or suitability of such information. ASG is not responsible for, and 

expressly disclaims any and all liability for damages of any kind, either direct or indirect, arising out of use, reference to, or 

reliance on any information contained within this report. 

ASIAN SKY GROUP 

Suite 3905, Far East Finance Centre, 

16 Harcourt Road 

Admiralty, Hong Kong 

Telephone +852 2235 9222 

Facsimile +852 2528 2766 

www.asianskygroup.com

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