Support builds for a regional pilot academy

Regional Development Australia (RDA) Orana chairman John Walkom has added his full support to Dubbo’s potential bid for a Qantas pilot academy for the region.

“RDA Orana is keen to work with Dubbo Regional Council to bid for a training centre at the regional airport,” he said.

The proposed $20M facility would have the capacity to train 500 pilots a year, to help meet the increasing need for skilled aviators in one of the
fastest growing global industries.

The Qantas Group Pilot Academy is expected to open its doors to students during 2019 and is likely to be established near an existing airfield in regional
Australia to provide easy access to uncongested airspace.

“Dubbo offers a regional airport in a great urban environment with all the existing infrastructure, along with satellite option sites at Mudgee, Bourke,
Cobar, Lightning Ridge and Narromine,” Mr Walkom said.

“Dubbo is a blank canvas where they wouldn’t be competing for air and runway space.”

“The potential this has for the region is enormous and includes job creation in the service industry around the airport, skills training opportunities
in the aviation space and the potential use of rural community airports for training The Orana is a vibrant region of growth, and an aviation academy
would be an ideal addition to the local landscape.

“Benefits to the region include job creation in the service industry around the airport, skills training opportunities in the aviation space and the
potential use of rural community airports for training.”

The idea was initially broached by Dubbo Mayor Ben Shields at the February meeting of Dubbo Regional Council./ENDS