| MoorabbinAirport

December 2023

Moorabbin Airport supports the growth of BASE Aviation’s pioneering training programs and commitment to safe and sustainable aviation.

As one of the Southern hemisphere’s largest flight training centres, MAC has been delighted to welcome on board BASE Aviation Flight Training, a boutique aviation school that operates out of Moorabbin Airport.

Established in 2021, BASE offers a unique training programme for its students - tailored around the individual’s aviation experience and future goals. With a varied fleet of aircraft on hand, the school offers basic and initial training as well as advanced skills and ratings such as Command IFR, Multi-Engine & Pressurisation.

Committed to providing training that ensures students feel comfortable, heard and welcome, we caught up with BASE Aviation CEO and Flight Instructor, Shannon Gee, to learn more about the school’s pioneering approach to aviation education and their role within the airport’s broader community.

1. Base Aviation opened in 2021 at the Moorabbin Airport aviation support precinct – why
did you decide to start your own flight training business? What attracted you to Moorabbin Airport?
“Having worked at a number of flight training facilities at Moorabbin Airport, I noticed that each tended to follow a similar rigid formula, structured around obtaining a commercial pilot’s licence on a short timeline. There were few alternative training options on offer. As demand for pilot training grew, we established BASE Aviation to provide personalised programmes for each individual - suitable for all licensing levels and endorsements.

2. You are a part of the Australian Women Pilots’ Association; can you share a bit more about what the Association does and why you decided to become a Member?
“The Australian Women Pilots’ Association is a fantastic initiative aimed at connecting female pilots across Australia. Regardless of licence level, if you fly a plane, work in the industry or just love aviation – everyone is welcome. There’s an exceedingly small number of women in aviation, and to connect in a way where we can encourage and support one another as we navigate and progress in the industry is brilliant. I also appreciate that Moorabbin Airport Corporation, as an airport operator, is an ongoing provider of scholarships for women in aviation.”

3. You also have a partnership with an electric aircraft supplier, can you tell us a bit more about what this partnership entails? Do you think that electric aircrafts will start to become more popular? “Yes, we think electric aircrafts are certainly set to become more popular, and we’re really excited to be a part of it. Our partnership is with FLYOnE, and through this we have access to one of their aircrafts. As the technology is still relatively new, things like low battery capacity is one of the challenges that the industry is working to solve. We’re advocates for operators, students and potential aircraft owners to participate in the electric aircraft world. This will drive demand which will in turn fuel innovation.”

4. As a boutique flying school you currently offer personalised training for a small number of students, do you have plans to expand? How will operating a business at Moorabbin Airport help you to do so?
“Expansion is always a nice thing to aim for, and we plan to do so conservatively. We’re planning to grow to have a 20-student base on a yearly to two yearly rotation. This will allow us to maintain our competitive advantage and ensure the training remains actively tailored to each student. Moorabbin is one of the safest training airports in the southern hemisphere and being located in an urban area, it is close and readily accessible for trainee pilots. We’re delighted to be a part of the best flight training facility in Australia.”

5. How does MAC support you as an aviation customer? Please detail your experiences with both broad-scale and day-to-day activities. “Since we opened in 2021, MAC has been incredibly supportive across all levels. MAC is a major supporter of aviation industry youth events and the Moorabbin Air Museum, both of which are important ways to introduce the next generation to careers in aviation. MAC has been great with facilitating aircraft parking, equipment storage, and supporting us to lease new classroom premises at a competitive rate that matches our growing operation. We feel like the airport is really invested in helping us to succeed.”

6. Detail how being part of Moorabbin Airport helps you achieve your business goals. “Being located at such a safe and prolific airport for training operations opens us up to as much exposure as we could hope for. Whilst other training airports exist, their structure and training differ due to the airport classification and location. Being located at Moorabbin Airport provides our students with a broader training scope - from the start they gain aviation skills in an air traffic controlled zone and learn how to fly, communicate and grow as pilots.”

7. Moorabbin Airport is committed to supporting the growth of flight training. How do you feel about the recently submitted Master Plan and plans for future investment in the precinct? “It’s an important time for the airport, and to ensure growth and innovation, change is necessary. The recently released master plan incorporates necessary changes including legislative changes that will be implemented by CASA, and other changes that will help to ensure ongoing operational safety - something that BASE Aviation is committed to supporting. It’s been good to see that the location of the main airport boundary has remained in the same place, something that a number of operators have long fought for. I feel it’s now up to us as aviation businesses to get on with what we do - taking a positive step forward in training the next generation of pilots at Moorabbin Airport.”

8. Moorabbin Airport is also committed to sustainability, with an aim to achieve carbon neutrality by 2025. How do you feel about being a part of a more sustainable aviation industry? “As every industry works to become more sustainable, it's important aviation plays its part in these initiatives. Some areas such as electric aviation hold great promise but require a lot more innovation before they can be operationally effective for training. Beyond the aircraft themselves, there are a number of actions the industry can take - including looking at carbon offsetting as well as recycling aviation waste effectively. It’s important that as a community we come together to deliver practical solutions that will make a difference, and it’s great that MAC is taking a leading role in this area.”

For more information and regular updates regarding Moorabbin Airport, please visit moorabbinairport.com.au.
Further commentary and interviews with Moorabbin Airport’s CEO, Paul Ferguson, can be arranged upon request.

All media enquiries should be directed to Communications Collective.
Natalie James
Account Director
[email protected]

About Moorabbin Airport

Moorabbin Airport is Australia’s leading general aviation flight training airport located in the south-east of Melbourne. Spanning 294 hectares, the Airport is Australia’s second busiest airbase and is home to a range of general aviation activities including flying training, flight charter, aviation maintenance, as well as general and recreation aviation operations. Supporting the viability of aviation activities, the Airport also has a thriving non-aviation commercial centre, including Kingston Central Plaza and a Direct Factory Outlet (DFO), as well as an array of retailer and hospitality providers which provide employment for many local residents in the City of Kingston. Located on the north and south-eastern perimeter of the precinct, Chifley Business Park is home to leading industrial facilities and commercial offices for business customers.

Committed to safely building a sustainable future for aviation, business and local community, Moorabbin Airport was awarded ‘Metro Airport of the Year’ in 2022 by the Australian Airports Association (AAA) and is recognised as a State Significant site, a major employer and a centre for community activity in one of the fastest growing regions in Victoria.

About Moorabbin Airport Corporation and Goodman Group

Privately owned and funded, Moorabbin Airport Corporation Ltd (MAC) purchased a long-term lease on the Moorabbin Airport site from the Commonwealth Government in 1998. MAC’s role is to maintain and develop the Airport infrastructure and the provision of a safe airport for all users. MAC is wholly owned by Goodman Group, the largest industrial property group listed on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX: GMG) and one of the largest listed specialist investment managers of industrial property and business space globally.

MAC is wholly owned by Goodman Group, the largest industrial property group listed on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX: GMG) and one of the largest listed specialist investment managers of industrial property and business space globally.