General News
14 April, 2025
A new opportunity to take to the air
The Wimmera Mallee region has just been privileged with the commencement of a new flying training school, based in Warracknabeal at the Warracknabeal Aerodrome.
Warracknabeal Aero Club members first met with Kirman Juma, the principal of Melbourne West Flying School based in Bacchus March and Essendon Airport last year.
After extensive work by Mr Juma, gaining CASA and RAaus training approvals, and then working with the Yarriambiack Shire Council to have approvals passed for the satellite school, the school officially began at the end of March.
The Warracknabeal Aero Club canvassed for a training school successfully three years ago, with Nicholas Christie taking on the role for nearly two years, training over 20 students during the 18 months of operation.
On his departure the club sought a new training school with success, with the new satellite school now being established.
Warracknabeal Aero club president Ross Brown said, “we’ve actively campaigned for a flying training school to be operated out of Warracknabeal, and we are delighted to welcome Kirman and his team to Warracknabeal.”
“In the last few years, demand for pilot training has been significant in our region, many instructors are retiring from the industry and it’s great to have Kirman provide his services to meet this demand,” Mr Brown said.
The Melbourne West operates from both Essendon Airport, Bacchus Marsh and now Warracknabeal.
“Melbourne West Flight Training offers RAaus (Recreational) and GA (General Aviation) pilot training," Mr Juma said.
"We offer from beginner to Commercial Pilot training, this also includes multi engine and instrument training.”
“As both an RAaus and CASA school we can do conversion from Recreation to General Aviation licences and vice versa.”
“Whether you have started your journey elsewhere and want to finish, or are coming in fresh, we can help you get a result.”
“Our programs are suited to both recreational and commercial activities.
"We maintain offices in Essendon and Bacchus Marsh and now Warracknabeal for the best training that can be delivered.”
“Our fleet consists of Piper Warriors Viper sd4 Evektor Sportstar, a Piper Saratoga, Tecnam P2006T.”
“We are also the Australian agent for the VIPER SD4 aircraft, so give us a call and we can help you! We like to fly,” Mr Juma said.
Chief Flying Instructor (CFI)Kirman Juma started flying with the Pakistan Airforce in 1993, trained by the airforce and civil instructors and acquired his Commercial Pilots Licence (CPL) in 1994 becoming an instructor in 1996.
Since then Kirman has worked in various flying schools as a flying instructor.
He grew up in Tanzania and East and South Africa before moving to Australia, while flying in Dubai and East and South Africa previously.
Kirman has also had extensive experience working in the banking and insurance industries and has travelled and worked in many countries.
Kirman moved to Australia in 2017 and worked as an instructor for a flying school for few years and then opened his own flying school by the name of Falcon International Aviation Academy with the mission of providing valuable and affordable flight training to enthusiastic students.
As CFI he is also assisted by two experienced flying instructors at Warracknabeal, Chris Rafferty and Shane Dennis, who have been kept quite busy training new students and upgrading qualifications of numerous pilots in recent weeks.
President, Ross Brown said the Warracknabeal Aero Club is privileged to gain the services of the Melbourne West Flight Training school, operating with its satellite school here in Warracknabeal.
“We are launching the new service with a TIF (Trial Introductory Flight) this weekend and hope to attract a wide range of students keen to take to the air with a highly skilled instructor. It’s not an opportunity that comes up often, so I encourage those keen to find out more to ring and make an appointment urgently.
See notice for contact details in today’s classifieds.