Millennium Flight Academy to offer private, commercial pilot licences and float plane ratings

Sri Lankan helicopter and aircraft charter operator, Simplifly has expanded its operations to flight training with the launch of the Millennium Flight Academy (MFA), the domestic airline said in a media statement.

The MFA has already commenced pilot training in April this year with two Cessna aircraft. Simplifly marks its 10th anniversary in July this year, and was known as Deccan Aviation until the exit of Indian aviation pioneer, Captain Gopinath from the venture in 2011, which made the company re-brand itself.

Simplifly serves the growing demand for domestic air services for the tourism and corporate sector and now operates and/or maintains a total of five aircraft including a Bell Jet Ranger helicopter, with plans to induct an additional helicopter, the statement said.

"With a decade of experience, we thought it would now be appropriate to bring our expertise into the training segment to prepare a new generation of local flyers to meet the growing demand for commercial pilots, both here and overseas. The launch of the Millennium Flight Academy continues the tradition of our airline remaining at the forefront of aviation development in Sri Lanka", said Kevin Pocock, the company’s Singapore-based Chairman.

MFA announced that they had already flown over 275 hours for training purposes, and soon hopes to add a multi engine aircraft to its growing fleet. For those already qualified as pilots, the academy also has optional exposure to the larger GA8 Airvan, which features a more sophisticated cockpit, an advantage for those applying as trainee First Officers for global airlines that fly bigger aircraft.

Located in Ratmalana airport, students of the academy are also given unique exposure to other aspects of airline operations and are placed as trainees within various departments of Simplifly in the months leading to graduation, to enhance career opportunities once certified as pilots.

Pilots already holding valid local licences can hire MFA trainer aircraft to accumulate additional flying hours and experience.