Runway row puts training of future pilots in jeopardy

Aeriel view of Orly Airpark in Kajiado. [Courtesy, Orly Airpark] Veteran pilots involved in training Kenya's next generation of aviators have raised alarm over a dispute that could cripple operations at Orly Airpark in Kajiado. Led by Captain Joseph Martin Ririani, founder of the Kenya School of Flying, the pilots are calling on the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA) and other government agencies to urgently intervene. For more than 25 years, Orly Airpark has been a vital training ground where aspiring pilots turn classroom theory into practical flying experience. But a standoff over the extension of a grass runway now threatens that legacy. The Airpark has two runways, one paved with cabro blocks and another made of natural grass. Ririani says the grass runway is the safest for training because it is clear on both sides and during approach. However, at only 700 metres long, it falls far short of the aviation training standard of just over 1,000 metres. The extra length, he explains, is essential for giving trainees a safe margin during take-offs and landings. To meet that requirement, Ririani said he leased adjoining land and began extending the runway to the required length. His aim was also to ease congestion at Wilson Airport, which he says has become increasingly unsafe for training due to high-rise buildings, restricted airspace and alleged land grabbing. "We started this airstrip because Wilson Airport was overcrowded and dangerous for students. If a trainee's engine fails there, there's nowhere safe to land," he said. However, the project has stalled. According to Ririani, Orly Airpark's management has refused to clear a small section of land in the middle of the planned extension, leaving the runway split into two disconnected pieces and below training standards. But Orly Airpark Management Board Chairman, Christian Strebel, dismissed Ririani's allegations, stating that the shareholders, through a board meeting resolution, had agreed not to proceed with the extension of the runway, citing it as resource-intensive and unsafe due to its extension over cotton soil. He added that the complainant was represented during the board meeting when the decision was made. Ririani, however, believes some individuals want to keep the airpark "quiet" and free from increased air traffic. "They say they want it quiet like Karen, but how can an airfield be quiet?" he asked. He says he has met all conditions set by the management and written several letters without response. He accuses some individuals of deliberately blocking the project and disregarding the fate of Kenyan trainee pilots. The veteran pilot warns that shorter runways put students at greater risk, especially in emergencies such as engine failure, strong crosswinds or misjudged landings. "Safety is not negotiable in aviation. You cannot train future pilots on compromised facilities," he said. He stresses the runway is used not only by his school but also by trainees from most aviation schools in Kenya. "This is not about one school. It is about the future of Kenyan aviation. We train pilots who go on to serve airlines, humanitarian organisations and even the military. If we don't protect this, we might have to import pilots instead of producing them," he warned. The dispute comes at a time when Africa's aviation industry is projected to grow rapidly. Boeing's 2023 Pilot and Technician Outlook estimates the continent will need more than 20,000 new pilots over the next 20 years.

Runway row puts training of future pilots in jeopardy

Get Full Access for Ksh299/Week.

Related Topics

Popular this week

Latest Stories

The Standard Insider

Digger Classified

GET OUR NEWSLETTER

CONNECT WITH US

FOR THE LATEST JOB ADVERTS

DIGGER JOBS

Digger Motors

Digger Real Estate

Runway row puts training of future pilots in jeopardy

Get Full Access for Ksh299/Week.

Related Topics

Trending Now

Popular this week

Latest Stories

The Standard Insider

Digger Classified

GET OUR NEWSLETTER

CONNECT WITH US

FOR THE LATEST JOB ADVERTS