African Flight Training Academy (AFTA) has opened a centre in Malawi for training pilots interested in obtaining Private Pilot’s Licences. The academy, the first of its kind in Malawi,  has been licensed as a flight training organisation for private pilots in Malawi by the Department of Civil Aviation in the country.

Malawi was chosen as the right place for such an academy, as its weather conditions are suitable for flight lessons, according to AFTA Co-founder, Bryan Mundy. “The weather is very good compared to other countries. We also have a good number of airfields like in Satemwa, Majete, Salima, and Lilongwe, among other places.” said Bundy.

Chief Flight Operations Officer in the Department of Civil Aviation, Hastings Jailosi hailed the development as one that will change aviation sector for the better. “Previously, we had a good number of flight operators coming in the country. However, with the rising cost of fuel for their planes, among other factors, they moved to other countries. Still, we are doing a lot to enable the sector to bounce back. The coming in of this academy is a positive sign that we could be on the right track,” Jailosi said.

The Academy has three aircrafts that are operating from the Ramp Hangar at the Chileka Airport. Bundy also revealed that AFTA has been working with the Department of Civil Aviation for the academy’s license for the past one year.