Saudi training self-sufficiency closer than ever.

[Mosamania]

The vice head of the Royal Saudi Land Forces Colonel pilot Hussain Muhammad Assaf have witnessed yesterday the graduation ceremony of 16 pilots in the third round of pilot training in the Flying Academy of the Land Forces. And he cited in the ceremony that the accomplishment of graduating pilots in rotary wing aircrafts instead of relying on the help of foreign trainers or sending them to foreign countries is a sign that we have begun to rely on ourselves in training our own sons.

The training duration of 54 weeks in English language and technical flying-related vocabulary and then basic flying for 36 weeks all under Professional Saudi cadre that has succeed in localizing the training techniques from outside the Kingdom.

The fourth round of training for new pilots will start in 2 months with rounds graduating rotary wing pilots twice a year.

He also adds that there are technical training rounds for rotary wing aircrafts which lasts 90 weeks each in which students are trained to be fit for military duty as well in the technical training department in Academy. Also advanced officer rounds. And others for National Guard officers and NCOs and Medical Evacuation and General Management of Military fields all under Saudi hands.

During the Ceremony the grades of the pilots have been shown and diplomas handed out and the wings pin have been pinned to the new pilots uniforms signaling them fit for duty.

http://www.okaz.com.sa/new/Issues/20111002/Con20111002448183.htm
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These are the kind of news that make me happy. Self-sufficiency is getting closer and closer.