Perth flying school is reaching for the sky
A Perth flying school and aircraft maintenance company has announced a £1 million investment in aircraft and equipment.
ACS Aviation aims to become one of Europe’s leading commercial flying schools.
Based at Perth Airport, it hopes operations will benefit from the UK and Scottish Government-backed Tay Cities Deal delivering improved transport links through the projected Cross Tay Link Road (CTLR).
Potential upgrading of the airfield and its surrounding facilities planned by Morris Leslie, who own the facility, would enable ACS to boost competitiveness with UK and international rivals, which it says would bring substantial business and tourism benefits to the area.
Plans include improved retail and accommodation and housing that would boost the business case for expanded operations, including an apprenticeship programme in ACS’s growing aircraft maintenance division.
Managing director Graeme Frater Graeme Frater
said:“Our aim was to be Scotland’s best and busiest commercial flying school and we have already achieved that.
“In the past 12 months we have seen a 10 per cent increase in the number of visiting aircraft to Perth Airport and grown our workforce from 13 to 31 employees in 12 months.
“Having invested in the building, in a new aircraft and simulator and formed strategic partnerships with specialist training companies such as Simtech Aviation and Path2pilot, as well as commercial airlines like Loganair who use the simulator, we are well set up for further growth and are optimistic about growing Perth Airport’s international reputation as a one-stop shop for commercial flight training.”
A spokesman for Invest in Perth, the inward investment arm of Perth and Kinross Council, said: “We are delighted to see this significant investment in a local company and the highly skilled employment opportunities this brings to Perth and Kinross.
“We are committed to working with growing entrepreneurial companies within the region and wish ACS every success at Perth Airport.
“The investment in the local infrastructure via the Tay Cities Deal will hopefully open up more opportunities for companies within the airport business park.”