A report yet to be released by the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) will present data that shows general aviation in Australia is in significant decline.
The report was commissioned in response to a call from CASA Director of Aviation Safety Mark Skidmore for AOPA "to prove that the industry is in serious decline."
The data to be presented in the report has been drawn from CASA's own statistics, and will show:
- GA pilot numbers down 34% since 2000
- initial aircraft registrations down 53% since 2007
- registration cancelations up 51% since 2007.
"If you track general aviation pilot numbers from 2000 to 2015 you get a very clear picture of what is happening – a staggering 34% decline in general aviation pilots," AOPA Executive Director Ben Morgan said.
"The decline in real numbers means that some 8000+ pilots have exited our industry!
"Between 2000 and 2010 we lost approx 3000 pilots over the 10-year period. Then between 2010 and 2014 we lost a further 3000 pilots – in just four years. Then between 2014 and 2015 a further 1000 pilots – in just one year."
The report will also compare the statistics with Federal Aviation Administration data that shows pilot numbers in the USA have increased 4% since 2007.
Comment has been sought from CASA.