The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
Flying school eyes more growth after £1m outlay
ACS AVIATION: Perth Airport-basef firm offers traininn on simulators anf commercial aircraft
A Perth flying school and aircraft maintenance company has made a £1 million investment in aircraft and equipment.
Based at Perth Airport, ACS Aviation has set its sights on becoming one of Europe’s leading commercial flying schools.
The company has more than doubled its workforce over the past year and boosted enrolment of would-be pilots for its commercial training programmes after extending their range and flexibility.
The firm, founded in 2007, has also purchased a new commercial flight simulator and a new aircraft, a Diamond DA42 Twinstar, used for commercial flight training.
Managing director 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% increase in the number of visiting aircraft to Perth Airport and grown our workforce from 13 to 31 employees.
“We have invested in the building, 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 the only flying school in Scotland that can offer commercial training with this combination of aircraft and simulator.
“We are well set up for further growth and are optimistic about growing Perth Airport’s international reputation as one-stop shop for commercial flight training.”
ACS courses are modular, allowing trainees to fit instruction and flying hours around work commitments, at prices lower than large multinational schools.
Current students include trainee pilots from the Netherlands and Italy, as well as UK nationals.
The firm’s seven-figure investment has been welcomed by Invest in Perth, the inward investment arm of Perth and Kinross Council.
A spokesman 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.
“The investment in the local infrastructure via the Tay Cities Deal will hopefully open up more opportunities for companies within the airport business park.”
ACS houses and works closely with Scotland’s Charity Air Ambulance, which is capable of reaching 90% of Scotland’s population within 25 minutes in an emergency.
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