CAA and Aircraft Owners and
Operators Association clash over pilot exam fees
The Pakistan Civil Aviation
Authority (PCAA) and a private association representing aircraft owners and
operators are engaged in a heated dispute over the cost of pilot
certifications, with the association arguing against the high fees imposed by a
UK-based firm for certification exams.
The Aircraft Owners and
Operators Association (AOOA) claims that aspiring pilots are being compelled to
pay exorbitant fees to the UK-based CAA International (CAAI) for examinations
that grant pilot certifications. The association has an argument that these
fees are unnecessary, as the Internationa
l Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO)
has indicated that the PCAA is now capable of issuing licenses independently.
Imran Aslam Khan, the
founder of AOOA, stated, "We don't see any reason for losing our foreign
exchange to a UK firm." He further highlighted that the contractual
obligation with the UK firm was for a minimum of 1,000 exams or one year, but
over 4,200 exams have already taken place, resulting in a significant
expenditure of £399,000.
Khan also alleged that the
UK-based firm is overly stringent in its grading, leading to a high rate of
failure among pilots and necessitating retakes. The association contends that
the fees charged by the UK firm have made the commercial pilot course
prohibitively expensive, deterring potential candidates and causing a shortage
of upcoming pilots.
To address the economic
impact, the AOOA has written a letter to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif,
requesting the immediate cancellation of the contract with the UK CAAI. The
association has a stance that Pakistan's own examination system, operated by
the PCAA, is superior and more cost-effective. They urge the restoration of the
PCAA examination system, emphasizing that it has already received positive
assessments from the ICAO.
The clash between the PCAA and
the AOOA underscores the ongoing debate over the reliance on foreign
certification services and the associated financial burden on aspiring pilots
and the aviation industry in Pakistan. The resolution of this dispute will have
implications for the future of pilot certifications in the country and the
cost-effectiveness of training programs.