A TOWNSVILLE aviation company is expanding into Etheridge Shire, with a flying school on the radar.
Aviation College recently celebrated its arrival in Georgetown, where it will base its charter services from early 2017 as it works on establishing a flying training school.
Chief pilot Tony Beauchamp said the expansion into Georgetown was two-fold.
“We were first approached by council to do a charter flight for a minister and we got talking,” Mr Beauchamp said. “They are looking at massive development in Etheridge Shire and wanted a charter operating so we said yes.
“We thought if we are going to base pilots to wait for charters why don’t we deliver training up there as well. The area is perfect for pilot training because its outside controlled airspace.”
The company will use five aerodromes – four sealed with lights at Georgetown, Mt Surprise, Forsayth and Einasleigh – and Kidston.
Aviation College is contracted to TAFE to deliver a Diploma of Aviation, with the first student intake in May this year and Mr Beauchamp said numbers continued to grow.
“There is a huge shortage of pilots across the world,” Mr Beauchamp said.
“Aircraft manufacturers are building aircraft quicker than we can train pilots to fly them.”
Mr Beauchamp said Georgetown was a perfect location for expansion and the company hoped to have several hundred students training in the area when fully operational.
“The beauty of Georgetown is that its miles away from aircraft control,” Mr Beauchamp said.
“Students would do initial training there and then be introduced into controlled airspace procedures in Townsville.
“Another advantage of Georgetown is we can fly in and out when the roads are cut. The weather on east coast is pretty good and in Georgetown even better.”
Mr Beauchamp said Aviation College had an existing contract with Papua New Guinea to train up to 20 pilots a year and he said they were also look at attracting other international students.
Etheridge Mayor Warren Devlin said the commitment from Aviation College would deliver benefits for the community.
“Although they are a small company I would like to recognise the importance of the “one job” philosophy,” Cr Devlin said.
“If we can create one job that potentially means one more family, that means one or more children for our school.
“Tony and Deb have indicated a desire to grow the business creating an aircraft maintenance facility and new terminal in the future, in moving forward under a sensible approach to business the one job will become many.”
