Brian Dash, Parliamentary Spokesman for the New Forest Liberal
Democrats, has visited a very successful local company, CTC
Aviation Group.
Brian described it as an important fact-finding
mission. The company is based in a rural location at Dibden Purlieu
and is a leading provider of aviation training ad consultancy
services.
The host for the visit was Captain Steve Billett, Chief
Operating Officer and Head of Training.
Captain Billett still
pilots commercial aeroplanes, once or twice a month.
They
enjoyed a wide ranging discussion about the aviation business,
including the threat of terrorism, passenger safety, economic
prospects and staff issues.
Brian
was surprised to learn that new applicants are largely
self selecting, need no academic qualifications but have
to find something in region of £60,000 for the cost
of training which usually takes up to 14 months to complete.
People who pass and obtain a licence are by no means guaranteed
a job because most major airlines look for experienced pilots.
Captain
Billett explained that there had been problems expanding
the business due to difficulties with the District Council,
in particular the planning process.
For his part, Brian
acknowledged that different parts of a local authority
often fail to communicate very well and hoped that due
weight would always be given to the economic benefits of
any such plans.
Brian summed up his visit thus "I
am delighted that we have such a high-tech business in
our community.
It has always been my hope that our attractive,
convenient, edge of Forest environment could attract businesses
just like CTC."
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