Huge global demand for pilots has led Tayside Aviation to draw up plans to increase the number of students it trains in a new purpose-built facility.
The flight training school, based at Dundee and Fife Airports, celebrated its 50th anniversary this week — but is looking to the future.
Currently 50 students are enrolled on its three-year training programme, which starts every six months.
The company, which had a turnover of £2.8 million last year, is hoping to increase that number to around 80 with the creation of an academy in a new building at the airport.
Tayside Aviation’s managing director Jim Watt said: “The demand for pilots has never been greater than it is right now.
“To meet the global demand four pilots a day will have to be trained.
“The BsC accredited course we started three years ago is the first of its kind available in Scotland and greatly increases students’ chances of gaining employment as pilots.
“We are starting to see our first graduates and in the past two months we have placed pilots with Loganair, FlyBe and Ryanair.”
The course costs around £60,000 but can lead to a starting salary of around £35,000 with an airline.
It is also eligible for student loan support and there are also some scholarships available.
“Once they are about half way through their training we employ them as an instructor which helps support the students financially and also helps build their hours up,” Jim added.
“It means we are giving the airlines experienced pilots, not just trained pilots.
“Our whole focus is about job placement, it’s not just about getting them a licence.
“Generally, because our guys have a lot of flying experience, they can become captains within three years, a role which on average earns £85,000. It can be a great career.”
The company, which employs 35 staff, recently invested £1.6 million in nine new aircraft.
It hopes to have plans in place for the academy project in the coming months. This would involve the construction of a purpose-build centre at Dundee Airport.
Over the company’s 50 years it has trained more than 5,000 commercial airline pilots, 6,000 RAF cadets and 1,500 flying scholarships, including 300 from Hong Kong.
It operates a fleet of 20 single and twin engine aircraft between Dundee and Glenrothes.
Last year it received the Royal Air Force Central Flying School Trophy “in recognition of significant and outstanding contribution to excellence in the delivery of flying training and instructional standards.”
rmclaren@thecourier.co.uk