No One to Fly: A Thousand New MC-21s, SJ-100s, Il-114s, and Baikal Aircraft Will Provoke a Pilot Shortage in Russia

Aviation Expert Panteleev: Creating a Retraining System for Domestic Aircraft Will Be a Problem

There is a risk of a shortage of aircraft commanders (PIC) in Russia due to the transition to domestic aircraft, due to the need to retrain flight personnel, Postnews reports.

Journalists recalled that in the next five years in Russia, according to the Comprehensive Program for the Development of the Aviation Industry, it is planned to produce more than a thousand civilian aircraft. Among them are 270 MC-21-310s, 142 Sukhoi Superjet News, 158 Osvey aircraft, 113 Tu-214s, 139 Baikal (LMS-901) aircraft, 105 TVRS-44 Ladoga aircraft, 12 Il-96-300s, and 51 Il-114-300s.

Experts suggest that this may cause a shortage of aircraft commanders (PIC) capable of operating new domestic aircraft, especially by the end of the decade, when production volumes increase significantly.

Sooner or later, we will find ourselves in a situation where the number of domestic aircraft increases significantly, and with it, the need for qualified crews. Without a systematic approach to personnel training, a pilot shortage will become a reality by 2029.
Oleg Panteleev, aviation expert

Panteleev suggested that emphasis should be placed on improving the skills of second pilots. At the same time, the training of such personnel will require significant material and time resources.

The aviation industry needs retraining programs, instructors, and simulators. At the moment, there is none of this for new Russian models.

Earlier, www1.ru reported that Rostec declassified the heat resistance of the blades of PD-8 and PD-14 aircraft engines.

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