A MAJOR pilot training operation is to be set up at Kempsey Airport.
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The new college will aim to benefit from the projected growth of the Chinese aviation sector.
Kempsey Shire Council announced yesterday a partnership agreement with the Port Macquarie-based Arena International Aviation College.
The company will expand its pilot training school operation by opening a satellite campus at Kempsey Airport.
It has drawn up a concept plan for a college to be built at the airport that would accommodate up to 200 trainees.
Arena is a subsidiary of Hainan Airlines, the fourth largest airline company in China.
The airport will serve as a ‘touch-and-go’ (take-off and landing) training facility for Hainan cadets.
The announcement follows negotiations of more than two years between the council and Arena.
Mayor Liz Campbell welcomed the agreement and praised council staff for their part in attracting Arena to the shire.
“The airport is a greatly valued asset,” she told The Argus.
“To have it utilised for training and to complement the operation at Port Macquarie is wonderful.
“It will bring another element of diversity to the community, with Chinese students coming here for 18 months.
“The benefits will include a multiplying effect to the economy here.
“It’s great to see planes lined up here at the airport and the facility utilised.”
Arena’s chief flight instructor Kevin McMurtrie said the company aimed to build the college within three to five years.
He said projections had identified the need for 75,000 more airline pilots by 2033.
“Chinese airspace is not as open as here in Australia, so it’s difficult to set up flying schools there,” Mr McMurtrie said.
“We’re negotiating fleet purchases worth $6.2 million dollars for 10 Austrian Diamond DA40 aeroplanes that will be used for training here from next year.
“We started training (Hainan cadets) in April and have 17 at the moment, with 10 more to come in October or November.
“There’ll be an intake of two groups of 20 in May and we’ll utilise this airport, from a small training room here.
“The plan is to have high-frequency training for touch-and-go circuits.
“This airport is under-utilised and ideal for that - it’s a terrific airport.”
Member for Oxley Andrew Stoner welcomed the boost to the Macleay economy the new operation would bring, and offered his support as Minister for Trade to Arena and the council.
“Aircraft manufacturer Boeing estimates an additional 192,300 pilots and 215,300 maintenance technicians will be needed in the Asia-Pacific region in the next 20 years,” he said.
“It’s fantastic to see Kempsey playing a role in helping Australia meet this need.”