Multinational flight training organisation CAE Oxford has leased part of the BAe Training Systems base at Tamworth.
CAE Oxford has training bases in several countries around the world, including at Moorabbin in Victoria, and is looking to expand from 2018 to meet future training demand. The company believes the Tamworth facility is ideally suited for that purpose.
BAe Systems has screened and trained pilots at Tamworth for defence forces using mainly CT-4Bs, but the contract expires in 2019, when the Basic Flight Training School will relocate to East Sale and convert to using Pilatus PC-21s.
BAE Systems Chief Executive Glynn Phillips said: “We are working collaboratively with local community leaders to consider options for the site that will maximise the use of the facilities. Today’s signing is a great outcome.
“We are also engaging with our current customers and the Australian Defence Force regarding the provision of military training at the site.”
BAe Systems will continune to meet training commitments for the Australian Defence Force, Republic of Singapore Air Force, Royal Brunei Air Force and Papua New Guinea Defence Force until December 2019.