Pitch to bring Qantas academy to Dubbo
A QANTAS announcement to build a pilot academy “likely to be established near an existing airfield in regional Australia” has prompted Dubbo Regional Council Mayor Ben Shields to take immediate action and prepare a bid for the facility to be based in Dubbo.
A QANTAS announcement to build a pilot academy “likely to be established near an existing airfield in regional Australia” has prompted Dubbo Regional Council Mayor Ben Shields to take immediate action and prepare a bid for the facility.
During a council meeting on Monday night this week, a mayoral minute was distributed recommending council write to Qantas chief executive Alan Joyce to express council’s interest in supporting the academy at Dubbo Regional Airport, that representations be made to Federal Member for Parkes, Mark Coulton and the State Member for Dubbo Troy Grant, and that council’s acting general manager be authorised to submit a business case to Qantas for the same.
“Frankly we all know there’s no better place than Dubbo. Firstly we’ve got the regional airport and runway to do this sort of thing. We’ve got our two satellite airstrips at Narromine and Bodangora which could complement a training facility in Dubbo,” Cr Shields said.
“Significant capital investment including the current $10 million Runway Strengthening and lighting upgrade and $8 million General Aviation Upgrade and Aeromedical Facility have Dubbo City Regional Airport perfectly positioned to be the front runner in consideration for the Qantas Flight Academy,” he said.
The recommendations were unanimously carried after councillors Etheridge, Grant, Parker, Mohr, Lawrence and Ryan voiced their support.
“Operationally and logistically Dubbo makes the most sense. We’re very central to Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne and it broadens their pool of opportunity for new pilots. This is really exciting. For one, we’re on the front foot, with our arms wide open,” councillor Etheridge said.
Councillor Grant acknowledged the support of a national corporation would boost confidence in the city.
“We also have the fire-fighting training facility at Wellington which is another complementary facility there. We have the infrastructure ready to go,” he said.
Councillor Parker raised the issue of intense competition for the facility from other councils.
“We will have to present a very strong business proposal to Qantas as council will only have one opportunity.”
The Australian Airline Pilot’s Academy, owned by Regional Express (Rex), is located in the regional centre at Wagga Wagga. That $28 million facility opened in 2010 and features a self-contained campus, modern aviation agency standard compliant classrooms, examination rooms, language laboratories for foreign students, individual bedrooms for students, a swimming pool, gymnasium, soccer field and multi-purpose hard court, all located next to the flight training centre which has its own hangar and training aircraft. A SAAB 340 Full Flight Simulator was opened there in 2014.
The Qantas Group Pilot Academy is scheduled to open in 2019 with an intake of 100 cadets.
They are already taking expressions of interest online from potential students.
Read more council updates on our Council Watch page.