BUSINESSES which already train pilots at Albury Airport have accused council and Farrer MP Sussan Ley of getting ahead of themselves with plans to woo the Qantas flying school to the city.
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Representatives from Riverina Aviation College, Oberon Aviation and Helifly, who claim to have the bulk of the estimated 100-plus trainee pilots already in existence at the airport, said they were “blindsided” by the revelation council was already in talks with Qantas.
They believe any bid will fail due to the airport’s lack of a second runway, parallel taxiway for aircraft, 3D landing capability, existing airline traffic and the recent imposition of a 9pm curfew which will eliminate night training.
Oberon owner Stirling Preston, Riverina Aviation College co-directors Ian Bennett and Rhena Geraghty and Helifly head of operations Marianne Evans believe the sparingly used Corowa airport would be a more suitable site for Qantas.
“We’ve been completely blindsided by the potential of Qantas starting up a pilot training school in Albury,” they said in a joint statement to The Border Mail.
“There has been zero consultation to date with present airport-based businesses by council which has already publicly laid its cards on the table in pursuing this opportunity.
“Our businesses are already compromised in training pilots due to the curfew so will it be lifted if Qantas decides to come to Albury?
“Also we can’t operate without a parallel taxiway covering the full length of the existing runway to minimise runway occupancy due to back-tracking aircraft taking off and after landing here in Albury.”
Corowa airport will require major investment to bring up to the standard required by Qantas, but has the advantage of not being land-locked as is the case at Albury.
A Qantas spokesperson said more than 8500 budding pilots had registered their interest in joining its flying academy.
But the airline wouldn’t identify specific infrastructure requirements for a pilot training academy.
“We’re looking to base the academy at a regional centre with an airfield, uncongested airspace and the infrastructure to support and accommodate up to 100 students in the first year of operation,” the spokesperson said.
Albury Council has been approached for comment.
Mayor Kevin Mack said last week the council had contacted Qantas about the “terrific fit” with Albury.
