25 February 2008
Muscat: Oman Air will set up a pilot training school and simulator in Muscat this year, according to Oman Air CEO Ziad Bin Karim Al Haremi.
Talking to reporters on the sidelines of the launch of the airline's re-branding at Shangri-La's Burr al Jizza Resort and Spa, Al Haremi said: "With the Ministry of Defence and Eurocopter, we will set up a pilot training school by the end of this year," he said.
He said the school will train 144 pilots and 37 single engine planes will be used in the training. "The school will be open to every nationality from anywhere in the world and higher secondary pass students will be enrolled."
He said that Eurocopter's involvement was part of the deal by Oman's Defence Ministry when the sultanate signed a contract to buy 20 multi-purpose NH90 TTHs helicopters from Eurocopter. The contract included a comprehensive support package and services with a contractor's field assistance on several bases, training aids and mission preparation stations.
Licence
Al Haremi revealed that the training will be for civil pilots and they will receive Airline Transport Pilot Licences (ATPL). "It will be a frozen licence after 18 or 20 months depending on weather conditions. We will also send our trainees to this school but admission will be strictly on merit," he said.
Oman Air presently sends pilots abroad for training. "Last year we sent 14 young Omanis to be trained as pilots at a school in Melbourne, Australia," said Al Haremi.
By Sunil K. Vaidya
Gulf News 2008. All rights reserved.
