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Nasair celebrates graduation of 30 Saudi pilots

RIYADH: Nasair held an event in Riyadh to mark the graduation of 30 Saudi pilots. This was the first batch of Saudi pilot graduates under the airline's "Future Pilots Program," which ultimately aims for the graduation of 100 Saudi pilots.

Nas Holding 's CEO Sulaiman Bin Abdullah Al-Hamdan, Captain Mohammed Ali Jamjoom, deputy president of General Authority of Civil Aviation, King Khaled International Airport's top executives and officials, as well as parents of pilot graduates and NAS ' senior officials attended the event.

The ceremony started with the recitation of Qur'an followed by a speech from Captain Mansour Al-Harbi, executive general manager of flight operations at nasair about the Future Pilots Program. Captain Al-Harbi pointed out that the nasair program was a broad and ambitious one aiming to build up a new generation of technically and practically qualified Saudi youths in the field of civil aviation. He added that the program features a combination of theoretical and scientific study as well as actual training on aircraft piloting. On completion of 120 hours of aircraft piloting, the student will be appointed a co-pilot at nasair. Captain Al-Harbi further indicated that the trainees had passed necessary requirements in order to obtain the license as they completed several training courses including ground training, simulator training as well as joining various courses at specialized training academies situated in various counties. They had also piloted aircrafts under the supervision of highly qualified pilots and instructors.

In his speech, Al-Hamdan expressed his delight at the graduation of a number of Saudi pilots within the framework of Future Pilots Program. The program extends for approximately 5 years and aims to provide an advanced technical and qualitative training of 100 youths who hold pilot licenses. On completion of this training, the trainees will be qualified to the pilot position at nasair. Al-Hamdan highly appreciated the efforts of all who contributed to the success of the NAS ' committed program. Further, Al-Hamdan emphasized the fact that the program is a strategic step toward the certification of nasair as a Saudi national carrier. "However, the program provided a valuable opportunity to ambitious Saudi youths as gratitude to almighty God, our dear country and our beloved people under the leadership of Custodian of Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah who always urges us to provide job opportunities for the generation of Saudi youth, particularly in the technical sector.

Al-Hamdan pointed out that responding to the royal directions, NAS Holding and affiliate companies adopted several programs under the "Training of Saudi Talents at NAS ." These programs are a specialized and advanced ones that aim to invest in young Saudi nationals' capacities for the positions of aircraft engineer, aircraft technicians and air traffic controllers.

Some of these programs started to bear fruit as 8 dispatchers have graduated along with their fellow pilots. Al-Hamdan highly appreciated the efforts of the Human Resources Development Fund for the extended support to NAS development programs like the one for qualifying aircraft technicians, engineers and cabin crew being among the most important Crew Members in addition to pilots and co-pilots. "God willing, the cooperation will continue to include all programs," he added.

At the end of the ceremony, Al-Hamdan with the participation of senior officials handed over appreciation certificates to 30 Saudi pilot graduates and 10 Saudi co-pilots who were promoted to pilots on passing the 'Type Rating Training' on Airbus A320 and Embraer aircraft. Likewise, Al-Hamdan handed over similar certificates to 8 dispatchers who underwent a course under the Dispatchers Training Program.

© Arab News 2012