Mr Walkom offered his support for Dubbo making a bid for the new $20 million facility, which would be capable of training up to 500 pilots a year.

Dubbo mayor Ben Shields took the issue to colleagues at the February meeting of Dubbo Regional Council, saying the city was ‘ideally situated’ for the Qantas Group Pilot Academy.

“Dubbo should go all out Mr Mayor to get the facility at Dubbo airport,” Mr Walkom said in a post to the Daily Liberal’s Facebook page.

“Air travel is so important in our world today and this would be just another step in cementing our [city’s] growth in national and international aviation.

“The benefits both economical and socially (jobs) will ensure our future for generations to come.”

Some other Daily Liberal readers were also enthusiastic about making a bid for the facility, which is likely to be subject to strong competition from other regional cities.

“Ben Shields advocate like mad,” Leanne Cavanagh said.

“This would be brilliant for our city.”

Bruce McDermaid said in a post he didn’t see why Dubbo “shouldn’t have a go for it”.

But John Howard did not think there was “much point to be honest”.

“My tip is, it will go to Tamworth,” he said.

“Qantaslink already has a heavy engineering base there, the BAE Systems pilot training college there is about to close as its contract with the ADF is sending so there are purpose built buildings, hangars and onsite accommodation ready to go, it is controlled airspace, it has multiple parallel runways and an operational Instrument Landing System.

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“For a facility schedule to commence operations next year, all this infrastructure needs to be in place now.

“Sure, bid for it but be realistic, too.”