Saudi academy shines with Diamond purchase

Saudi Arabia's plans to establish a first class pilot training academy in the country's capital took a major step forward this week when SAFA - the Saudi Aviation Flight Academy confirmed the purchase of 20 Diamond DA42 and DA40 aircraft and 5 flight simulators
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SAFA is a joint venture with the Saudi Aviation Sciences Company Club at the Saudi Aviation Club in Riyadh and is headquartered at Thumamah Airport north of Riyadh.


The Diamond fleet will be equipped with the new 170hp turbo diesel Austro AE300 engine, which can run on Jet A1 fuel. The final contract was agreed at the Dubai Air Show by Mohammed Bin Mohammed Bin Ladin  and is part of the SR300 million allocated to fund SAFA, of which 60 million is destined for training aircraft.


The project is the first partnership the academy has entered into with the private sector.


Saudi Aviation Club Chief Executive Abdullah Al-Ju’eiwi said the academy had received approval from the Civil Aviation Commission and the go-ahead from the High Commission for Riyadh City Development. Prince Salman Bin Abdul Aziz, Emir of Riyadh, laid the foundation stone.


“Works on SAFA will begin at the beginning of the new Hijri year,” Al-Ju’eiwi said. “The academy expects to take on approximately 400 trainees a year over the first five years, with a total of 120,000 sq m allocated for the project at the Saudi Aviation Club Airfield in Al-Thamama. The first trainees are expected tto begin training in the last quarter of 2010.

The school will work with both airline fu8nded and privately funded cadets.

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