Plans are under way to launch an international aviation academy in Dundee.
Tayside Aviation announced on Friday their ambition to create a “world-leading” training academy that would see the former water board building next to the city’s airport transformed in to an education centre.
Officers from the Royal Air Force, leaders from local colleges and the SNP’s Westminster education spokesperson all attended the event.
The new academy would offer qualifications for jobs across the whole aviation industry, including air traffic control, airport operations, engineering and cabin crew training.
The smaller aviation centre at the airport currently offers potential flyers the chance to qualify for their professional pilot’s license which, according to Tayside Aviation, brings in over £1 million to the Dundee economy.
The Aviation Skills Partnership (ASP), who will run the centre in conjunction with Tayside Aviation and other interested parties, acknowledged there is a “critical” shortage of pilots currently in training.
They have identified that 460,000 pilots will be required worldwide by 2031, and countless more who would be required to operate in the aviation industry with other skill sets.
Carol Monaghan MP, the SNP’s Westminster education spokesperson and a qualified pilot, said: “I am very impressed with the plans that were unveiled.
“Scotland has lots of the skills and potential to be an industry leader in aviation.
“Tayside Aviation has it absolutely right, and what they have planned here is really something that could be world-leading.
“The Scottish Government are aware of the plans that have been presented here and there are lots of factors to consider before a decision can be made, but I am sure they will be interested because of how new the idea is.
“It is an exciting plan for Dundee and for Scotland.
“Scotland has some of the most challenging and available airspace, and the challenging weather conditions and difficult terrain mean that Scotland is a very good place for pilots to train.
“We would want to show that there is opportunity for everyone who would want to be a pilot.
“When I was at school there was not the same support, especially for women, to enter the aviation industry.
“I had the qualifications to become a pilot after leaving school, but I wasn’t given the opportunity to train at a young age. I was told that I would be better off working in the kitchens.
“We need to put in place the correct motions that would see more women choosing to become pilots.”
