Home

Sky is the limit for Geraldton’s pilot school bid

Francesca MannGeraldton Guardian
Geraldton Airport.
Camera IconGeraldton Airport. Credit: Gavin Box / The Geraldton Guardian

Geraldton could be home to a residential pilot academy if the City of Greater Geraldton’s proposal is snapped up by an airline carrier.

The preliminary design for the campus at Geraldton Airport features an accommodation building, classrooms, flying simulators and recreation facilities.

The design, by Crothers Construction, also includes an academy maintenance hangar, aircraft parking and an operating apron.

City corporate and commercial services director Bob Davis said Geraldton was an “ideal” location for a pilot school thanks to perfect flying conditions throughout the year and air space free of congestion and military restrictions.

“If there’s a demand (internationally) for 600,000 airline pilots, plus other air crew, there is the potential to have an academy here,” he said. “We have a fully designed academy sitting there for anyone who is interested ... and we’ve reserved the land.

“We also own the Mullewa aerodrome, which could be used for touch-and-go training.”

The academy designs were initially part of the City’s application to host Qantas Group’s pilot academy, which will open in Toowoomba, Queensland, later this year.

A pilot academy is not a new idea for Geraldton — during World War II, a flying training school of the Royal Australian Air Force was based in the town.

From 1941 to 1945 more than 1000 pilots graduated from the school.

The City’s pilot academy prospectus is available on its website.

Get the latest news from thewest.com.au in your inbox.

Sign up for our emails