Oman Air Launches Sultanate’s First Commercial Flight Training Centre

Oman Air has today unveiled the Oman Air Flight Training Centre (OAFTC), a state-of-the-art facility which enables pilots and cabin crew to train realistically for operating aboard both Boeing and Airbus aircraft. The new facility was officially inaugurated by HE Darwish Bin Ismail Al Balushi, the Honourable Minister of Finance and the Chairman of Oman Air.

The launch took place at a ceremony which was held at the centre and attended by government ministers, Oman Air’s Board of Directors, senior airline managers, senior representatives of the Public Authority for Civil Aviation (PACA), Oman Airport Management Company (OAMC) and members of the media.

At the heart of the facilities provided at OAFTC will be cutting edge flight simulators. In addition to being a requirement under international flight safety regulations, flight simulator training is essential to the provision of high quality training programmes for flight deck crew. The flight simulators are being supplied by one of the world’s best-known simulator manufacturers, Canada-based TRU-Simulation and Training Company.

Based at Oman Air’s headquarters in Muscat, OAFTC offers Oman Air the opportunity to provide its pilots and cabin crew with the highest standards of in-house training, in line with both civil aviation regulations and industry good practice. Furthermore, the innovative technology that is integral to OAFTC, together with its strategic location, enhances the high level of efficiency to which Oman Air is required to work. And by operating world-class training facilities in-house, and offering its services to commercial partners, Oman Air is able to make substantial cost savings which can subsequently be invested to the benefit of its customers.

Speaking at the unveiling ceremony, Oman Air’s Chief Executive Officer, Paul Gregorowitsch, said:

“Oman Air is pleased and proud to be opening this outstanding new facility. The Oman Air Flight Training Centre will enable Oman Air to continue operating to the highest safety standards and with absolute professionalism. Furthermore, Oman Air’s investment in this training facility – the first of its kind in Oman - will add an important milestone in the airline’s contribution towards the development of the Sultanate.

“I would like to thank His Excellency the Chairman, and his colleagues on Oman Air’s Board of Directors for their unwavering support. I would also like to express my gratitude to Captain Ali Sulaiman Hassan, Executive Vice President and Chief Operations Officer, his colleagues and all at Oman Air whose hard work and commitment have ensured that this training centre has been completed within a very tight timeframe.”

Development of OAFTC was announced in November 2015 and by September 2016 the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) was able complete both its Compliance Monitoring System and Simulator Audits.

Captain Ali Sulaiman Hassan added:

“OAFTC offers one Full Flight Simulator for Airbus 330 training, and another one for Boeing 737 training. In addition, one Flight Training Device for Boeing B737 training has been installed as a training tool for cadet training programmes.

“The centre also includes the facilities needed to train Oman Air’s cabin crew. These include A330 and B737 mock-ups, along with a B787 door trainer. Each of these is designed to enable crew to train for, and practice, all the emergency procedures required as part of our cabin crew training and qualification courses.

“Furthermore, having the flight simulator trainers close to Oman Air’s premises will support Oman Air’s strategy to ensure cost-effectiveness in all areas of its operations by avoiding expensive excessive training expenses overseas. We also have the option of offering our facilities to commercial partners, creating an additional revenue stream for Oman Air.”

Oman Air places the highest importance on safeguarding and maintaining the safety of all its passengers and crew, and the Oman Air Flight Training Centre underlines this commitment. Furthermore, the benefits delivered by OAFTC to the Sultanate of Oman as a whole include employment opportunities for Omanis, maintenance of the country’s impressive safety records, improvement of national aviation standards, and the continued achievement of the regulatory requirements of PACA. The opening of OAFTC represents the latest step in Oman Air’s ongoing investment in training and capacity building. In addition to intensive training for all cabin crew, Oman Air has provided practical and financial support for Omani citizens to train as airline pilots and join the Oman Air workforce.