The air force yesterday announced it has solved the shortage of pilots by widening recruiting channels and launching auxiliary measures, saying it now has enough pilots to meet full combat requirements.
The announcement, made at a regular press conference at the Ministry of National Defense (MND), quelled the air force's constant dread watching TV news reports and finding out that more of its fighter pilots have retired early -- a recurring problem in the past few years.
During what has been a nightmare for the air force, a considerable number of pilots have retired early each year, although the military has never been willing to make public the figures.
To solve the problem, the air force has taken measures including widening recruiting channels for pilots, raising flight pay, and implementing structural changes.
The air force used to recruit pilots solely through the air force academy, since it did not have as great a demand for pilots as it has now. It was also able to find physically qualified pilots more easily, since near-sightedness was not commonly seen in previous generations of youths.
But as the air force started to deploy new fighter planes in the mid-1990s, including the domestically-built IDF, the US-made F-16 A/B and the French-produced Mirage 2000-5 fighters, the demand for pilots has risen greatly.
The the air force's recruiting pace for pilots could not equal the deployment of new fighter planes. Major General Chia Pao-yi (
The development was the result of efforts taken since the pilot shortage problem arose. Chia singled out the widening of recruiting channels for prospective pilots and the initiation of structural changes as two contributing factors.
Aside from the air force academy, the air force now accepts career officers from the army and navy as trainees in its two-year pilot-training course. If the candidates pass the course, they become air force pilots.
Beginning this year, the air force is also looking for pilots from the pool of conscripts, something it has never tried before. Those conscripts who are interested in becoming fighter pilots may join the same pilot-training program that the air force offers to career officers from other services.
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