Padraic Toolan recruits foreign pilots for China's fast-expanding airlines.

American and Chinese aviation industry experts both claim China needs up to 2,000 new pilots a years to fly jets being purchased by the country's growing airlines - the country itself graduates about 700 commercial pilots a year. Padraic Toolan, local head of Irish-based Parc Aviation, matches Chinese airlines with experienced pilots.

What's driving the demand for aviation personnel here, and is that demand changing?

It's not that no one here wants to be a pilot. It's impossible to keep pace with delivery of aircraft. China needs pilots across the board, in freight and passenger aviation. It's not that anyone doesn't want to fly freight, or fly at night.

What are the challenges faced by foreign pilots in fitting in locally - is language an issue?

English is the language of flying across the world so you'd have to be above a certain level wherever you are flying, to get your pilot license.

Do foreign pilots fly on domestic routes in China?

Foreign pilots are doing domestic and international routes. There's an increasing number of airports in China with dual language air traffic control, in English and Chinese. Foreign pilots will fly domestic routes between such dual-language airports.

Are pilots coming from any particular territories?

They come from a geographical spread. If you're recruiting you can't cherry pick. We're a global company and pilots contact us every day from around the world.

Isn't China training up its own pilots?

We are bringing in very experienced foreign pilots. Yes, there are business opportunities in setting up flight schools here but commercial pilots have to have a level of flying experience. Many of our pilots have ten years of experience since getting their Airline Transport Pilot License [highest grade of aircraft pilot license].

Is Parc also supplying technical personnel to China?

You always notice when first a country allows in foreign pilots only a number of years after that it allows foreign maintenance and engineering personnel. Foreign pilots are coming now. Aviation authorities may see the positive results from that and so we may see foreign technical people in China.

What kind of technical services would you supply?

Aircraft maintenance engineers such as air frame engineers and experts in avionics, people who can deal with every item in the cockpit.

Is China paying salaries comparable to international norms?

Market forces determine salary levels. Salary depends on the experience and skill-sets you bring.

Why are European pilots looking to China?

European pilots come because they see so many new airplanes are being delivered here. Just look at the delivery reports on [aircraft makers] Airbus or Boeing websites. Pilots see this and that's why they'd be interested in China.

How come Ireland has become a hub for aviation industries?

Ireland should feel very proud that in the EU block we have the 5th largest aviation industry, out of 27 countries. Ireland has the world's second largest fleet of 737 jets, that's because of [Europe's largest low-cost airline] Ryanair, based there. Ireland has more aviation leasing companies than I could count.

Mark Godfrey