QF proposal for regional flight training centre

[Melburnian1]

John Bartels of Wodonga (say no more) has an erudite letter in the Thursday 1 March 'Border Mail' raising some interesting issues about the impracticality of establishing a QF regional flight training centre at Albury airport, an idea backed by Dick Smith and Farrer Liberal MP Sussan Ley.

Quite rightly, Mr Bartels concludes that circuit training would be 'untenable' for regular public transport airlines operating flights into and out of ABX.

As an aside, Moorabbin Airport (not mentioned by the letter writer) is probably perceived as successful but it receives complaints from local residents about aircraft noise. How many students finish at Moorabbin each year?

 

[mannej]

Here is the link for those reading at home - YOU SAY: Sorry but flight centre idea just pie in the sky

M1, I am curious as to how common the name John Bartels is?

 

[jb747]

I'm told it's a common Dutch and German name.

Whilst Albury as a town, has much to recommend it, as do many other of the larger regional centres, the airport has a few issues that really can't be worked around.

It's literally in the town. Three sides have businesses built to the boundary. It has only one runway, without a reasonable place to put the extra couple that you'd need for the size of training school being discussed (by the media). There is high terrain, literally within the circuit area. The sort of school being discussed is pretty much an amalgam of both Pt Cook/Tamwork and Pearce in size and activity.

What you need is an airport at which the school is the main user. The airport should have multiple parallel runways, with a mix of grass and bitumen. It should be in reasonably flat terrain. It should not be close enough to a town to cause noise issues.

There are numerous country towns with council owned runways that will probably fit the bit. Wangaratta, just a few miles south could probably be made to work. Perhaps Tamworth.

It's probably a great idea, but you can't just do it at any airport.

 

[ButFli]

I would have thought Tamworth would be a very strong contender. The RAAF move its flight training away from Tamworth in 2019, leaving a hole to be filled. The community understands that aviation brings jobs and are comfortable with a busy aviation training airport being in their midst. There'll be lots of flying instructors and other support staff living locally and looking for work. Qantaslink already has a heavy maintenance facility there. Many of the facilities are already there - multiple runways, control tower etc. Granted, some infrastructure would need to be expanded but the local council is keen to attract a replacement for the RAAF and might be willing to pay for upgrades for the right commitment.

 

[jb747]

Tamworth would have been a good choice, but I think it might be a case of too late. I read that the BAe setup has been sold/leased to CAE Oxford Aviation.

 

[flydoc]

The NT government is keen for Darwin to be considered, and Cairns is also a contender apparently.
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Plenty of airspace across the Top End but the seasonal military exercises might be an issue and I’m not sure the airport meets many of the requirements noted by JB747

 

[jb747]

I'd consider the weather at both places to be totally unsuitable. Cairns is geographically even less suitable than Albury.

If this project actually produces anything like the number of students mentioned, then it simply will not be suitable for mixing with anything other than occasional other operations.

 

[Captain Halliday]

ASP?

No significant terrain, not too close to town for noise issues, plenty of room for additional runways and just a cluster of commercial flight between 1100-1300 each day.

 

[jb747]

ASP?

No significant terrain, not too close to town for noise issues, plenty of room for additional runways and just a cluster of commercial flight between 1100-1300 each day.

Too hot for some of the year. I flew a CT4 out of there back in about October '84, and we had fuel pressure issues because of the temperature. It's also about 1,800 feet AMSL, which will reduce the performance of the light aircraft that are used for basic training.

Other issues that come to mind. Staff. You are going to need to find a large number of instructors and LAMEs, as well as other support staff. If the school is being started because of a shortage of suitable pilots, you may actually have the same issue getting instructors in the first place. LAMEs...you'll need a lot...

My bet would be a largish NSW country town. Perhaps a side bet for southern QLD or central Victoria. TBA...

I expect there's a reason the RAAF schools are located at about 30-35º south.

 

[Quickstatus]

Flight instructors generally/often/ sometimes are low hour pilots looking to make some income while they increase their hours themselves?

How many does Rex put through annually at its Academy in WGA?
.....
Here are a few:

There is nice airfield at OOM. No one uses it much. But 3000 AMSL and no fuel - my friend doesn’t even consider OOM as an alternate if he can’t land at YJIN (no IATA) because there is no fuel there (unless he has to). He just flies back to BWU


In the industrial area of Cooma, there is an unlicensed airfield with 2 x 2000ft runways grass and bitumen currently used for recreational flying. Polo Flats ( YPFT, no IATA). 2700 AMSL. Less prone to weather than OOM

BHS has 3 runways (5000,4000,3000 feet. Council run. . However a gliding club nearby. Rex goes there. Flying schools there. A popular destination for recreational and flight school pilots from BWU and CDU

DBO is lower than any above <1000 AMSL but busier commercial flights and 2 runways

The other JB (Queanbeyan ) should consider putting some of that Snowy money toward a regional training centre.