Saudi training academy moves to new Thumamah base

The new office location is within the compound of Saudi Aviation Club at the King Khalid National Park in Thumamah, Riyadh, and will serve as a temporary base of operations until the permanent school is completed in mid-2013.

The new facility includes administration offices, prayer facilities, classrooms, a simulation building, briefing cubicles, maintenance facility, a dedicated dispatch facility, an aircraft hanger, and aircraft stores for parts. At present, the school is expected to start its' flight school operations in late June 2012.

Capt. William Roe, SAFA's managing director said: "This is a huge step for us in our obligation to establish one of the finest flight training academies in not only The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, but the world as well.

“We believe that we will be able to help fuel the pilot needs of The Kingdom and the GCC region as a whole."

Capt. Roe added, "It has been a tough two and a half years reaching this point. However, with determination, strong support from our stakeholders, and an excellent team of professionals, we are now posed to start training with our eight all air-conditioned fleet of Diamond Aircraft DA40 NG and DA42 NG aircraft. As the need increases and our permanent facility is completed, we will then take delivery of the remaining 12 aircraft and 10 Flight Training Devices which are presently on order."

Captain Vince Peccarino, SAFA's deputy managing director and head of training, said "During the last year, we have received interest from students who are keen to become pilots. We are excited about this fact and are looking forward to deliver quality courses and providing a fantastic experience to all students who enroll at SAFA. We are eager to build a pool of safe and professional pilots in the Kingdom to support the growth and build the KSA general aviation industry."

Captain Peccarino said the expansion plans include a flight academy with the most modern facilities and infrastructure available.