Maryborough lands major pilot training facility
Published Monday, 26 November, 2007 at 03:44 PM
Minister for Tourism, Regional Development and Industry
The Honourable Desley Boyle
HONG KONG: Tourism, Regional Development and Industry Minister Desley Boyle was today updated on progress towards a new airline pilot-training facility for Maryborough.
Ms Boyle held discussions with Hong Kong-based Young Brothers Aviation, parent company of the Flight Training Group (FTG), which is building the facility.
Ms Boyle, who was in Hong Kong on a trade mission, said the project will be a big boost for Maryborough.
“The complex is to be known as “Flight Training Queensland”. The development application is expected to be lodged within a week and construction is expected to start in mid 2008. Importantly, local contractors and sub-contractors will be used wherever possible.
“This facility will bring significant economic benefit to Maryborough and the region.
“When fully operational the facility will employ more than 100 staff, be home to approximately 40 training aircraft and fly more than 38,000 training hours per year, making use of facilities at both Maryborough and Hervey Bay airports.
“All that boils down to a wages bill in the order of $7 million and a turnover of approximately $22 million a year.”
“And it means Regional Queensland and Maryborough will play a role in addressing the world wide shortage of pilots.
“Forecasts indicate international passenger travel is growing by five per cent annually and by at least nine per cent in the developing Chinese market.
“The Asia-Pacific region alone is estimated to require at least 5,000 airline pilots a year over the next 20 years to meet this growth and Queensland will now be well placed to attract an important share of pilot training business.”
Ms Boyle said Young Brothers Aviation, parent company of FTG, is a global aviation company with interests in Europe, USA and Asia.
Flight Training Group has long-term relationships with airlines such as Qantas, Cathay Pacific, Dragonair, China Airlines, Emirates, JAL Express and Vietnam Airlines.
“FTG has operated a successful airline pilot-training college in Adelaide since 1982. The group plans to duplicate its operations in Queensland in the heart of what is becoming a major regional aviation hub for the State,” Ms Boyle said.
“FTG is planning an integrated campus incorporating operational buildings such as a hangar, classrooms, simulator section and flight operations with residential accommodation, dining and recreational facilities to cater for up to 200 students at any one time.”
Ms Boyle said the school would incorporate the latest technologies and training methods developed by FTG over a period of some 25 years in the industry.
“Such a facility has the potential to attract young, highly skilled individuals and families to the region. That means opportunities for business development and expansion, and growth in sectors such as housing, education and social and recreational services,” Ms Boyle said.
“The Queensland Government’s attraction of Flight Training Queensland confirms our commitment to build the Wide Bay Burnett region as a Centre of Enterprise for aviation.
“Flight Training Queensland will also help to establish the Wide Bay Burnett region as a significant international aviation player.
“Wide Bay Burnett already boasts significant aviation infrastructure and expertise with four major regional airports, new industrial estates with air side access and companies like Jabiru and Seabird Aviation.
“Jabiru is Australia’s largest manufacturer of sports aircraft and Seabird Aviation is the name behind the unique Seeker airborne surveillance craft.”
Ms Boyle added that Kingaroy was known worldwide for its developing unmanned aerial vehicle testing facility (Australian Research Centre for Aerospace Automation).
Ends
Media contact: 3224 2004
Company contact: Keith Morgan 0417812754
26 November 2007
Ms Boyle held discussions with Hong Kong-based Young Brothers Aviation, parent company of the Flight Training Group (FTG), which is building the facility.
Ms Boyle, who was in Hong Kong on a trade mission, said the project will be a big boost for Maryborough.
“The complex is to be known as “Flight Training Queensland”. The development application is expected to be lodged within a week and construction is expected to start in mid 2008. Importantly, local contractors and sub-contractors will be used wherever possible.
“This facility will bring significant economic benefit to Maryborough and the region.
“When fully operational the facility will employ more than 100 staff, be home to approximately 40 training aircraft and fly more than 38,000 training hours per year, making use of facilities at both Maryborough and Hervey Bay airports.
“All that boils down to a wages bill in the order of $7 million and a turnover of approximately $22 million a year.”
“And it means Regional Queensland and Maryborough will play a role in addressing the world wide shortage of pilots.
“Forecasts indicate international passenger travel is growing by five per cent annually and by at least nine per cent in the developing Chinese market.
“The Asia-Pacific region alone is estimated to require at least 5,000 airline pilots a year over the next 20 years to meet this growth and Queensland will now be well placed to attract an important share of pilot training business.”
Ms Boyle said Young Brothers Aviation, parent company of FTG, is a global aviation company with interests in Europe, USA and Asia.
Flight Training Group has long-term relationships with airlines such as Qantas, Cathay Pacific, Dragonair, China Airlines, Emirates, JAL Express and Vietnam Airlines.
“FTG has operated a successful airline pilot-training college in Adelaide since 1982. The group plans to duplicate its operations in Queensland in the heart of what is becoming a major regional aviation hub for the State,” Ms Boyle said.
“FTG is planning an integrated campus incorporating operational buildings such as a hangar, classrooms, simulator section and flight operations with residential accommodation, dining and recreational facilities to cater for up to 200 students at any one time.”
Ms Boyle said the school would incorporate the latest technologies and training methods developed by FTG over a period of some 25 years in the industry.
“Such a facility has the potential to attract young, highly skilled individuals and families to the region. That means opportunities for business development and expansion, and growth in sectors such as housing, education and social and recreational services,” Ms Boyle said.
“The Queensland Government’s attraction of Flight Training Queensland confirms our commitment to build the Wide Bay Burnett region as a Centre of Enterprise for aviation.
“Flight Training Queensland will also help to establish the Wide Bay Burnett region as a significant international aviation player.
“Wide Bay Burnett already boasts significant aviation infrastructure and expertise with four major regional airports, new industrial estates with air side access and companies like Jabiru and Seabird Aviation.
“Jabiru is Australia’s largest manufacturer of sports aircraft and Seabird Aviation is the name behind the unique Seeker airborne surveillance craft.”
Ms Boyle added that Kingaroy was known worldwide for its developing unmanned aerial vehicle testing facility (Australian Research Centre for Aerospace Automation).
Ends
Media contact: 3224 2004
Company contact: Keith Morgan 0417812754
26 November 2007