Sky’s the limit for pilot school simulator
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia – Abyssinian Flight Services, the pioneering private pilot training school and air flight service provider, has recently installed a German made, Diamond FSTD DA40 aircraft simulator to assists trainees.
Asmare Getahun (Capt.), head instructor at the school, told The Reporter that the new aircraft simulator cost USD 230,000, and makes the company the first in the country to own one, other than Ethiopian. Since 2006, Abyssinian has trained some 50 pilots to fly both private and commercial aircraft. According to the captain, a few of the graduates are serving in neighboring countries. The company provides chartered flight services for aerial surveys, humanitarian causes and other reasons.
According to Capt. Asmare, there are currently 31 trainees, excluding an additional 41 applicants waiting to pass screening. Each trainee pays around USD 50,000 in fees to complete the training.
Abyssinian has plans to purchase more twin-engine diamond aircraft following the amendment to the seating capacity limit imposed on private carriers, which has been extended to 50 seats. As well as a new DA42 diamond plane, it operates numerous aircraft mainly serving national and international humanitarian agencies, embassies and mining companies.
Source: TheReporterEthiopia.com
