Jakkur Aerodrome

Jakkur Aerodrome
ಜಕ್ಕೂರು ಏರೋಡ್ರೋಮ್
IATA: none – ICAO: VOJK
Summary
Airport type Public
Owner Government of Karnataka
Location Jakkur, Bangalore, Karnataka, India
Elevation AMSL 3,010 ft / 917 m
Coordinates 13°04′37″N 77°35′51″E / 13.07694°N 77.59750°E / 13.07694; 77.59750Coordinates: 13°04′37″N 77°35′51″E / 13.07694°N 77.59750°E / 13.07694; 77.59750
Map
VOJK

Location in India

Runways
Direction Length Surface
ft m
08/26 2,953 900 Asphalt
Sources: Great Circle Mapper,[1] Google Earth

Jakkur Aerodrome (ICAO: VOJK) is an airport located in Jakkur, a suburb of Bangalore, Karnataka, India. It is the only dedicated general aviation field in Bangalore. The airfield is the site of the Government Flying Training School (GFTS), the only flying school in the state.[2]

The aerodrome is spread over 214 acres (87 ha). The premises include facilities for flight training, area leased to private parties for hangars and maintenance activities and other common facilities (airstrip, fuel station etc.).[3]

History

The Maharaja of Mysore acquired over 200 acres (81 ha) of land to build Jakkur Aerodrome. It opened in 1948.[4] The airfield was then transferred to the state government on the condition that it would only build a flying school at Jakkur.[5] The school, known as the Government Flying Training School (GFTS), opened in 1950.[6]

The GFTS operated smoothly until 1997, when it faced a shortage of aircraft, fuel, maintenance engineers, and flying instructors.[7] Since then, the flying school has operated sporadically.[4]

In January 2014, a flyover was completed over NH 7 to improve connectivity between Bangalore and the international airport. The flyover, over 12 metres (40 ft) high and constructed immediately west of the runway at Jakkur, presents an obstruction to aircraft landing at the aerodrome.[8] Although the western half of the runway had already been closed off to accommodate, the government closed Jakkur Aerodrome on 8 June. The GFTS was forced to relocate, with 18 students still undergoing training.[2]

The school continued students' training at the airports in Hubli and Mysore.[9] It request to relocate to HAL Airport but was denied permission; the GFTS then inquired about relocating to Mysore Airport.[10] In 2015, however, the state government announced Jakkur Aerodrome would remain in operation. Still, the western half of the runway remains closed off, but a 170 metre (560 ft) extension is planned.[11]

Runway

Jakkur Aerodrome has a single runway, oriented 08/26 with dimensions 900 by 20 metres (2,953 ft × 66 ft). A taxiway runs parallel to the runway on its north side.

Government Flying Training School

The Government Flying Training School (GFTS) has been operating at Jakkur Aerodrome since 1950, albeit sporadically. It includes aircraft maintenance facilities, a hangar/store room, and a library. The school uses two Cessna 152s and one Cessna 172. It also operates air traffic control at the airfield.[12]

Other operators

Jakkur serves as a base for aerospace companies like Deccan Charters Ltd., Jupiter Aviation, Bangalore Aerosports[13] and Agni Aviation.[14] The All India Vayu Sainik Camp (AIVSC) organised by NCC Air Wing in collaboration with the Indian Air Force is also based here.

See also

Other airports in Bangalore

References

  1. ↑ "VOJK - Bangalore (Jakkur), KA, IN - Airport". Great Circle Mapper. Retrieved 7 March 2016.
  2. 1 2 Patil, Ramu (7 August 2014). "Some Hope Still for Jakkur Flying School". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 8 March 2016.
  3. ↑ "GTFS website". Retrieved 3 January 2012.
  4. 1 2 David, Stephen (24 January 2009). "Government flying school takes off again". India Today. Retrieved 8 March 2016.
  5. ↑ Chandra N. S., Subhash (14 September 2014). "Jakkur airport, cold-shouldered by a NHAI project". The Hindu. Retrieved 8 March 2016.
  6. ↑ Nair, Athira (23 March 2015). "Jakkur Flying School faces infrastructure headwinds". Economic Times. Retrieved 8 March 2016.
  7. ↑ David, Stephen (31 March 1997). "Caught in tailspin". India Today. Retrieved 8 March 2016.
  8. ↑ "Dreams grounded as Jakkur flying club shuts down". Times of India. 13 June 2014. Retrieved 8 March 2016.
  9. ↑ C. S., Hemanth (5 March 2014). "Bangalore: HAL of a nightmare for Jakkur flying school". dna India. Retrieved 8 March 2016.
  10. ↑ Chandra N. S., Subhash (12 September 2014). "Flying school may be shifted to Mysore". The Hindu. Retrieved 8 March 2016.
  11. ↑ Patil, Ramu (28 April 2015). "Jakkur Flying School Stays, Gets Bigger Runway". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 8 March 2016.
  12. ↑ "Infrastructure". Government Flying Training School. Retrieved 8 March 2016.
  13. ↑ http://www.bangaloreaerosports.com/index.html Bangalore Aerosports
  14. ↑ http://www.agniaero.org/about_us.html Agni Aviation

External Links

This article is issued from Wikipedia - version of the Tuesday, April 26, 2016. The text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share Alike but additional terms may apply for the media files.