A flight training academy is under construction in Saudi Arabia, aimed at training a new generation of pilots for the country's growing commercial aviation sector.
The Saudi Aviation Flight Academy (SAFA) is being built at Thumamah airport near Riyadh. The academy is being established by the Saudi Aviation Club and the Saudi Binladin Group, and represents a 300 million riyals ($80 million) five-year investment.
"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," says SAFA managing director William Roe.
SAFA will use Diamond DA40/42NGs and Level 6 flight training devices. The academy will begin limited operations in December while construction of its permanent facility continues.
Source: Flight International
