Joanne McRae responded to Friday’s news Orange City Council had missed the shortlist for the pilot training academy, saying there might be more opportunities in the future.

“Qantas is looking at a second academy if the demand for pilots is strong enough,” she said.

She said there was a good chance of a second facility given Qantas trained pilots for other airlines and Orange would enter another bid if it arose. 

READ MORE: Qantas says we’re not cleared for pilot academy

She said the council would seek feedback on why it was not shortlisted. 

The base will now come down to Alice Springs, Bendigo, Busselton in Western Australia, Dubbo, Launceston, Mackay, Tamworth, Toowoomba and Wagga Wagga.

Asked whether Orange’s submission lacked the cuteness of Dubbo’s submission, Cr McRae disagreed.

“If the decision was made on cuteness, I would be concerned about the decision makers,” she said. 

Qantas’s criteria included adequate runway, hangars for up to 50 aircraft, suitable weather conditions for flying at least 300 days a year, controlled and uncontrolled airspace, and space for classrooms.