Russia allows foreign pilots

With a serious shortage of civil airline pilots as passenger numbers grow President Vladimir Putin has signed a law that allows Russian airlines to hire foreign pilots.

"The (new) federal law is designed to liquidate the deficit of commanders to civilian aircraft," the Kremlin said in a statement. No mention that Russia and the other former Soviet republics combined have one of the worst air-traffic safety records, with a total accident rate almost three times the world average in 2011, according to IATA.

Under the new law airlines can recruit foreign aircrew over the next five years, indicating that no new overseas pilots could be hired after April 2019 but those already employed in Russia can remain. Watch out in the back pages of Flight International to see if any Russian airlines advertise for flight deck staff, and what the experience/licence requirements are.  www.aeroflot.com

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