TheCable

The Nigerian College of Aviation Technology (NCAT), Zaria, has acquired 20 “new” DA42NG trainer aircraft to boost the training of pilots in the college.

During the delivery of the aircraft to the college by Interjet Nigeria limited on Monday in Zaria, Hadi Sirika, minister of state for aviation, expressed the determination of the federal government to phase out obsolete trainer aircraft at the college.

He said the federal government was fully in support of the re-fleeting of trainer aircraft at the college.

Abdulsalam Mohammed, rector and chief executive officer of NCAT, said the 29 trainer aircraft in the college have become old and too expensive to fuel and maintain.

“The latest trainer aircraft in the fleet was bought over 15 years ago,” he said.

“These aircraft used for ab-inition training TB 9, Trinidad TB 20 GT and Beech Baron 58 are old, the earliest being purchased 15 years, and quite expensive to fuel and maintain.

“In the light of this, the college initiated moves at refleeting its trainer aircraft. It is thrilling for us that we are gathered today to witness the culmination of that initiative.

“NCAT is acquiring a total of of 20 of these aircraft, five multi-engine DA42 and 15 single-engine DA40 trainers. Today we are taking delivery of the first DA42 multi-engine aircraft.”

Mohammed also said the new trainer aircraft “would significantly improve flight training and reduce operating cost, especially in the area of maintenance and fueling.”

Seun Peters, chief executive officer, Interject Nigeria limited, said the aircraft were built by Diamond Aircraft Industries of Austria.

He said the gesture was in fulfillment of the federal government’s promise to phase out the old aircraft.

“Undoubtedly, this is a bold move to reposition NCAT into a highly professional and disciplined aviation college by making it a driving force through capacity building initiative for effectiveness and efficiency,” he said.