CHINA SKIES TOO FRIENDLY FOR FOREIGN PILOTS

Domestic skies will not become a place where inexperienced foreign pilots can boost their flying hours to make their resumes more impressive, a key document from the civil aviation authorities said on Wednesday.

Jin Yibin, chief pilot at the Civil Aviation Administration of China, said rigorous background checks will be carried out to make sure foreign pilots wishing to work here have the experience and qualifications to do so.

A white paper issued by the China Academy of Civil Aviation Science and Technology, said licenses have been issued to 1,778 foreign pilots.Of these, 650 were working for Chinese airlines as of the end of June.

Foreign pilots are attracted by the rapid growth of the domestic aviation industry, especially at a time of global economic turbulence when many international airlines are introducing cutbacks.

They have "played a important role" in the industry, the white paper said.

However, the rapid influx of foreign pilots did bring problems.Some airlines, trying to meet demand, rushed to recruit foreign pilots, who, while qualified, may not have had adequate experience.

06/09/2012  :  Wang Ying / China Daily -- Asia News Network.

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