The Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Defence, Darren Chester has officially opened the Australian Air Force Cadets National Aviation Centre at Bathurst.
Overseen by the RAAF, the new $5 million centre is located at Bathurst Aerodrome, and will become home to a National Aviation Centre for 7,100 Australian Air Force Cadets (AAFC).
“The facility will make aviation training more accessible for Cadets from around Australia,” Chester said. “It will be used by cadets aged between 13 and 20 years-of-age who will travel from all over Australia to participate in weekend and school holiday aviation camps in Bathurst. Bathurst was chosen as the home for the AAFC’s dedicated National Aviation Centre for its uncongested airspace, whilst remaining close to Sydney which will provide easy access for Cadets from around Australia.”
The new facility will have accommodation for up to 80 cadets and 20 staff at any one time, and the buildings will include classrooms, living accommodation, kitchen facilities, and a separate hangar to house aircraft.
The official opening also saw the first of 19 new gliders which have been purchased by the RAAF for the AAFC unveiled.
