Originally Posted by
fjetter
I agree with Bryris. Stating that the only people that can fly 121 must come from 4 year aviation schools is absurd and I'm a graduate of one. I do feel that FAA standard minimums is approriate (ATP mins) for all 121 pilots.
A couple of posters listed how many commercial certs were being issued. Keep in mind not all of those newly certificated pilots want to be professional pilots. Quite a few will do it to save on their insurance of advanced private aircraft. Others will do it to obtain a CFI and be a part-time CFI. Additionally, how many of those certificates go to international students who will return home to fly? Just some food for thought.
Good point. I don't know the numbers but I'd go as high as to say 70+% of the new CPL's are foreign students. Almost every FLT school now has international students with the big ones (PAIFA, DCA, IFTA, IATA, etc) pushing thousands through their program each year.
Anyone know the numbers for domestic students verses foreign? Now that PAIFA's all international they're probably pushing 300-400 foreign students (or more) through themselves.