By CHERIE DONNELLAN
GEELONG has an opportunity to “step up and become an aviation city”, according to a pilot training business owner.
Sky Thrills owner and aviator Jodie Davis said retraining opportunities existed for those suffering in the recent rounds of job losses.
“Now’s the time for people in Geelong to be skilling up as an engineer or air traffic controller,” she said.
“We have Avalon becoming an international airspace so it’s a great time to get into the industry and our students can now achieve that earlier.”
Ms Davis’ comments came after State Government’s announced a $1 million investment in Lethbridge Airpark.
Minister for Aviation Gordon Rich-Phillips said the money from the Regional Aviation Fund will fund upgrades for runways and aircraft maintenance fixtures.
Ms Davis, who runs one of the first nationally-recognised aviation courses for Year 11 and 12 students in the country, said the upgrade would allow her business to offer more course places to schools within the Barwon region.
She said the aviation boost will help budding student pilots earn national accreditation before they finish high school.
Ms Davis said the course would get students “one-to-two years ahead” when working towards tertiary study fields like engineering, physics and aviation.
Students from five Geelong-based schools – Northern Bay, Western Heights Secondary, Newcomb Secondary, North Geelong Secondary colleges and Geelong Grammar – are currently enrolled in Sky Thrills’ Vocational Education and Training course.
Ms Davis said Kardinia International College had signed on to take part in the program next year and she expected other schools would join after the government’s announcement.
Lethbridge’s upgrade will secure a base for CFA aircraft like waterbombers and ELVIS, as well as an adequate landing strip for air ambulances.
Works would include the sealing and extension of several runways, creation of a helipad and a fuelling area.
Lethbridge Airpark owner Garry Baum will fund the remaining cost of the upgrade.
