Nagpur: The Nagpur Flying Club (NFC) is set to significantly expand its training operations following the recent approval to utilize Chandrapur’s Morwa Airport. This strategic move comes after the Maharashtra Airport Development Corporation (MADC) granted NFC a No-Objection Certificate (NOC) on Wednesday, according to a local daily report.
The NFC, a historic institution dating back to the British era, has faced challenges at the increasingly congested Nagpur Airport. These limitations have caused delays for students in completing the flying hours necessary for obtaining their Private Pilot License (PPL) and Commercial Pilot License (CPL).
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The report further said that the Nagpur Divisional Commissioner Vijayalakshmi Bidari, who chairs the NFCexpressed her gratitude to MADC for addressing their long-standing request. She said that this is a significant boost for our plans to establish a second base at Chandrapur. Our next step is to seek approval from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). Their team will inspect the facilities before giving the final nod, the report stated.
Bidari highlighted the essential tasks ahead, including runway recarpeting and constructing a compound wall to prevent animal intrusion. Additionally, the NFC has applied to the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) for the necessary telecom license.
According to the report, MADC Vice Chairman Swati Pandey, who elaborated the terms of the lease, stated that the NFC would lease the airport for a nominal fee of Re 1. “MADC will provide the runway, compound wall, and other basic facilities. We have already started work on recarpeting the runway and constructing the compound wall. Additionally, we are repairing and modifying the existing terminal building. The NFC will be responsible for day-to-day maintenance, security, and Air Traffic Control (ATC). They will also need to build a hangar for aircraft parking and other facilities,” Pandey explained.
Pandey also noted that while Morwa Airport is small, it has been operational for chartered flights since the 1960s. Despite its size and the surrounding power plant chimneys preventing expansion, it is well-suited for the small aircraft used by NFC. This move will significantly benefit NFC by alleviating congestion issues at Nagpur Airport.
This expansion marks a significant milestone for NFC, offering much-needed space for training. It will enable students to achieve their required flying hours and licenses more efficiently and timely, addressing one of the major operational challenges faced by the Club.
The establishment of a second base at Morwa Airport promises to enhance NFC’s capabilities and support the aviation aspirations of many aspiring pilots.
