Aviation school turns back students<\/p>\n
The Indonesian State Aviation School (STPI) at the Flight
\nTraining Center (PLP) in Curug, Tangerang regency, Banten, has
\nclosed its doors to new students for the third consecutive year
\nthis year.<\/p>\n
\"We do not receive enough from the state budget to cover the
\noperational expenses of the school ... We're currently only
\nteaching the existing 20-strong members of class 2002. They are
\nexpected to graduate next year,\" STPI spokesman Sihono said on
\nSaturday.<\/p>\n
He further explained that STPI, which is under the auspices of
\nthe Ministry of Transportation, offers four majors such as
\naircraft technology, airport navigation, airport building
\nmaintenance, as well as airport runway supervision.<\/p>\n
According to Sihono, the cost of providing facilities for an
\naviation student for the four-year course was Rp 400 million.<\/p>\n
When the central government cut the budget to finance the
\nschool in 2003, the management decided to store its 46 training
\naircraft which are still in a good condition in the hangar at
\nBudiarto air base.<\/p>\n
STPI was established in 1952 and was once the largest aviation
\nschool in Southeast Asia. The school, so far, has seen 3,000
\npilots graduate.<\/p>\n
\"We currently only operating 15 training aircraft to be used
\nby the 20 students,\" Sihono said.<\/p>\n
In an effort to assist the school, Tangerang regent Ismet
\nIskandar has plans to transform Budiarto air base into a
\ncommercial airport.<\/p>\n
\"We are also looking for a good location to build a haj
\ndormitory for the Banten provincial administration. The air base
\nis strategic enough for us to build a commercial airport and the
\nhaj dormitory where we can accommodate haj pilgrims,\" he said. --
\nJP<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/aviation-school-turns-back-students-1447893297",
"image": ""
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