Saudi Arabia new training academy progresses as building begins

Ground breaking on a new centre at the Thumamah Airport near Riyadh, will happen later this month.

The new Saudi Aviation Flight Academy (SAFA) is being developed in cooperation with Saudi Aviation Club and the Saudi Binladin Group. The Academy is being built to fuel the growth of aviation in the Kingdom with a world-class centre of excellence for pilot training.

“The Academy will greatly enhance the aviation industry in Saudi Arabia by producing highly skilled pilots. This tremendous step forward is backed by an investment of approximately SR 300 million by year five of operation, when SAFA will have the capability to train up to 200 cadets to international standards,” said Captain William Roe, managing director of SAFA.

In anticipation of the large interest in pilot training from young Saudis, SAFA already has access to the land required to increase the facilities in order to double the annual trainee throughput.

The Academy, which will occupy 50,000 square meters of built-up area, will run parallel programmes that will train candidates wishing to become professional pilots as well as recreational pilots.

Campus facilities will include all training, residential housing, recreational, and administrative offices. The SAFA Professional Pilot Program will utilize an approved curriculum to deliver training from zero-time to a commercial pilot certificate with a multi-engine class rating.

“The Academy will rely on state of the art aircraft, training facilities and equipment,” Captain Roe. “The object is to produce a cadre of highly skilled and above all, safe pilots that are disciplined and practice superior aeronautical decision making skills.”

The equipment used to train pilots will combine the latest technology in aircraft and simulation. SAFA has selected Diamond Aircraft Industries’ DA40/42 NG (New Generation) technically advanced aircraft, and level 6 flight training devices to develop manual handling and automation skills.

All trainee pilots will face mandatory initial screening (personality, psychometric, panel interview) and English language proficiency evaluations prior to acceptance. However, they will not have long to wait before competing for training spots.

The Saudi Aviation Flight Academy will begin limited operations in December 2010 while the permanent facility is being constructed.