Flight Schools Face Demand, Hurdles in International Market


Becker Helicopters, founded in 1996 by


Mike Becker (above, first in line) and Jan Becker (not shown),


has focused since the start on training international


students. (Becker Helicopters Photo)


T 34 ROTOR MARCH 2024


RAINING ORGANIZATIONS SERVING international students face strong demand from aspiring and advanced pilots as well as operators worldwide, according to leaders of several schools.


“Prospects are great for the international training seg-


ment,” says Capt. Jan Becker, cofounder and CEO of Becker Helicopters Pilot Academy in Marcoola, Queensland, Australia, and a former chair of the HAI Board of Directors.


“A lot of training needs to be done.” Numerous challenges lie between those prospects and


their realization, however, Becker and others say. One such hurdle is the persistent shortage of flight instructors. “Troughout the industry, there is just a pull” of pilots


into other jobs, says Candise Tu, chief flight instructor at Carlsbad, California–based Civic Helicopters. “You’re seeing cycles of people working in flight instruction shorten” as they move into air ambulance, law enforcement, sightseeing,


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