Offaly Aviation Training Centre plans take major step forward
A tender for the construction of an Offaly Aviation Training Centre on lands at Clonyhurke, between Cloneygowan and Portarlington, have been published on the government's eTenders webite.
Funfly Aerosports Flying Club has invited tenders for a purpose-built facility for the storage of light aircraft and the delivery of aviation training and related educational facilities at Benfield Airfield, Clonyhurke.
According to the eTender documents, Funfly Aerosports Flying Club provides industry leading theoretical and practical flight training for members of the aviation community and is focused on sustaining “an affordable training environment” in which individuals of all ages and abilities are encouraged to learn.
In seeking to expand its operations at Benfield Airfield, the flying club is aiming to establish the 'Offaly Aviation Training Centre' which the eTender documents state will be an all inclusive amenity which will enhance local tourism, benefit the local area and will be an asset to “the local community, local schools and educational institutions, local business and enterprises.”
The environmentally sustainable purporse built building which will house the aircraft hangar at Belfield Airfield will be capable of being configured to provide internal classroomns and areas for the provision of theory and practical flight and aircraft maintenance training.
“It will be the first of its kind, focusing and actively promoting environmental sustainability and working towards reducing the carbon footprint associated with aviation” state the eTender documents.
The contract for works on the project is of 12 months duration, and the contract is due to be awarded to the successful applicant on June 20 next.
Offaly County Council granted planning permission to Funfly Aerosports Flying Club in October 2022 for a light aircraft landing strip, hangar and clubhouse on lands owned by local Fianna Fail Cllr, Eddie Fitzpatrick at Benfield, Cloneyhurke, on the outskirts of Cloneygowan village.
They sought planning permission for a 722 sq m hangar and a 113 sq metre clubhouse, along with a grass landing strip measuring 623m in length and 30m in width.