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According to the International Air Transport Association, IATA, there is a brain drain of certified pilots from Africa as a result of the operationalization of the 1500-hour flight limit.
This was just revealed by IATA Director General Willie Warsh during the "Focus Africa" virtual launch.
The United States of America and Canada, he said, experienced brain gain while Africa experienced a vast outflow of pilots.
Walsh noted that over time, the 1500-hour rule has led to a situation where highly skilled people migrate to the United States in search of better employment opportunities.
"The USA, not Europe, is experiencing a scarcity of qualified pilots as a result of the 1500-hour requirement. It makes the nation appealing. It results in a situation where talented individuals leave Africa for other nations, he claimed.
The "1500 hour rule" refers to the amount of flight time needed to become a licensed commercial pilot in the United States and Canada.
Meanwhile, to become a Commercial Pilot in the rest of the world, only 250 hours are required.
