WOODGATE Aviation, which operates from facilities at Belfast International Airport, is planning to expand its approved training offer to customers in the Republic of Ireland and EU countries as well as the UK.
The aircraft charter and general aviation maintenance company secured Approved Training Organisation (ATO) status from the UK Civil Aviation Authority five years ago.
It has since added several highly coveted approvals for a range of aircraft, including rating on the King Air type and aircraft manufactured by British aviation company Britten-Norman.
Woodgate can also provide instructor and examiner training alongside approved seminars for flight instructors and examiners.
The expanded fully accredited ATO status opens the way for a significant boost in business in a highly specialised end of the aviation market.
Woodgate’s head of training Captain Simon Atkins (40) said: “We’re ready to cast our net much wider. ATO recognition expands the range of aviation services we can offer. We are able to meet a small but important niche in the industry where potentially there’s high demand.
“We saw that gap in the market and we’ve got the formal approvals to fully exploit it. As well as being a CAA Approved Training Organisation, we will also be able to provide EU Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) Examiner and Refresher training.
“Our fixed wing air ambulance, aircraft charter provision and general aviation maintenance services continue to be the largest elements of the company, but approved training programmes offer great potential.”
Woodgate also operates the fixed-wing Northern Ireland Air Ambulance and the Isle of Man Air Ambulance and last year transported hundreds of patients to and from hospitals in Britain.
