The Mayors of Narrandera Shire and Leeton Shire Councils today announced that design works for the proposed parallel taxiway at Narrandera/Leeton Airport are officially in motion.
To mark the occasion, Mayor Cr Neville Kschenka, Mayor Cr Paul Maytom and Mr Chris Hine, Executive Chairman of AAPA and Executive Director of REX, accompanied by an instructor and trainee pilot from AAPA, all attended the official opening of the Australian Airline Pilot Academy (AAPA) satellite Narrandera Campus Briefing Centre, at Narrandera Leeton Airport.
“I am thrilled to visit Narrandera Leeton Airport and appreciate the convenience of our new satellite briefing facility established at the airport precinct, with the assistance and support of both Councils,” said Mr Hine.
“Trainees and their instructors greatly appreciate the convenience and comfort of the briefing facility which is in close proximity to the apron area used by AAPA aircraft.
“When completed, the new parallel taxiway will provide significant benefit to the on-ground movements for training aircraft carrying out training exercises at Narrandera Leeton airport,” Mr Hine added.
Mayor Kschenka was delighted at the progress being made with the design of the parallel taxiway, particularly as the level of activity from the AAPA training flights increases.
“I am very pleased that AAPA has chosen Narrandera Leeton Airport as a satellite facility for their important training program,” Mayor Kschenka said, adding that it is important to ensure that the airport facilities are of the highest standard to ensure continuing training, Regular Public Transport and general aviation activity.
“We hope that all these improvements will lead to AAPA’s decision to establish a larger permanent pilot training facility here in due course” the Mayor concluded.
Leeton Shire’s Mayor Maytom supported Mayor Kschenka’s remarks, adding that the parallel taxiway will vastly improve the safety and efficiency of aircraft movements at the airport. In particular, for trainee pilots and their instructors who initiate ‘touch and go’ procedures at the aerodrome and other on ground procedures.
“This new taxiway will eliminate the need for aircraft back-tracking on the main runway. It is very pleasing to see how AAPA have established their briefing facility at the airport adding to the attractiveness of the airport as an important satellite training facility for the academy,” Mayor Maytom concluded.
Rex is Australia’s largest independent regional airline operating a fleet of 60 Saab 340 aircraft (pre-COVID) on some 1,500 weekly flights to 59 destinations throughout all states in Australia. In addition to the regional airline Rex, the Rex Group comprises wholly owned subsidiaries Pel-Air Aviation (air freight, aeromedical and charter operator) and the two pilot academies Australian Airline Pilot Academy in Wagga Wagga and Ballarat.
