KEY political and business figures want Qantas to select Bathurst as the location for its new pilot academy.
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Earlier this month, Qantas announced its plans to develop the training facility to help meet the increasing need for skilled aviators.
The Qantas Group Pilot Academy is expected to start its operations in 2019 and is likely to be established near an existing airfield in regional Australia, where students would be able to train in uncongested airspace.
Qantas would initially invest up to $20 million to establish the new facility.
Mayor Graeme Hanger said Bathurst Regional Council had already contacted Qantas about the project.
“Council would like to assist Qantas with the development of the pilot academy and has requested further information from Qantas as to their specific needs,” he said.
He said Bathurst has a number of advantages that would make it an ideal location for this kind of facility, including its proximity to airports at Sydney and eventually Badgerys Creek.
“Bathurst Airport has a strong pilot training background, with three independent flying schools. The Australian Air Force Cadets also run their National Aviation Centre program at a specialist gliding complex from Bathurst aerodrome. The addition of Qantas’ pilot school would enhance that current capability,” Cr Hanger said.
“Bathurst Airport has a strong pilot training background, with three independent flying schools. The Australian Air Force Cadets also run their National Aviation Centre program at a specialist gliding complex from Bathurst aerodrome. The addition of Qantas pilot school would enhance that current capability.
“Bathurst's proximity to Sydney's Kingsford Smith Airport and the soon to be developed Badgerys Creek Airport provides ability to provide quick access to controlled airspace which would be required for commercial pilot training from an airfield that provides entry level training.”
Member for Bathurst Paul Toole said Bathurst should “aggressively chase” Qantas to secure the academy, saying the city could become the centre for aviation excellence.
“With the potential of training up to 500 pilots a year, this is considered to be one of the fastest growing industries and I believe the proximity of Bathurst to Sydney, Canberra and the new airport to be built at Badgerys Creek all position it to be the ideal location,” Mr Toole said.
Bathurst Business Chamber president Angus Edwards said the chamber supports the project.
“We think it is a great opportunity for Bathurst,” he said.
He said the proximity of Bathurst to controlled airspace makes it perfectly positioned to house the academy, not to mention that there is plenty of space around the airport that could be utilised for the facility.
“There would need to be some extra work at the airport … but Bathurst has already got a high number of jobs in terms of TAFE, university and schools, so this would add to all of that,” Mr Edwards said.
Bathurst’s economy would also benefit from the new residents that would come with the academy.
