PIA Shaheed Benazir Bhutto Flight Academy's (SBBFA) formal launching ceremony was held today at Shaheed Benazirabad District- Nawabshah Airport. The Academy was inaugurated by Chairperson National Assembly Standing Committee on Defence and MNA, Dr Azra Fazal Pechuho.
Speaking at the occasion Ms. Pechuho said that the inauguration of the Flight Academy has been made possible through the initiatives taken by the present government, Honourable President of Pakistan, Asif Ali Zardari and the personal efforts of Managing Director PIA, Nadeem Khan Yousufzai.
Ms. Pechuho praised the efforts of PIA management in the realisation of the Flight Academy. Ms. Pechuho said that there are a few female pilots but now after the opening of the Flight Academy, more should apply and that she would like to see women pilots flying commercial aircraft not only for PIA but for other airlines in Pakistan and globally as well.
Managing Director PIA, Nadeem Khan Yousufzai said that he is grateful to President of Islamic Republic of Pakistan Asif Ali Zardari for having confidence in him to make the Shaheed Benazir Bhutto Flight Academy project a reality. He also appreciated the role of Director Standards and Special Projects PIA, Captain Junaid Younus, Director Flight Operations PIA, Captain Naveed Aziz and First Officer, Chakar Ali Shah, for their sincere efforts in this regard. He especially thanked Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority (CAA-Pakistan) for their co-operation.
MD PIA further said that the students who have completed their ground schooling and now are being trained for commercial flying. Insha'Allah their training will be completed on time and they will get the opportunity to serve airlines, he added.
MD PIA wished them success in their future and said that he is hopeful that very soon students from abroad especially from brethren Islamic countries will join the Academy for the training of pilots.
Director Standards and Special Projects PIA, Captain Junaid Younus, gave a brief to the gathered audience on the functionality of the Flight Academy. Captain Junaid Younus while briefing, said that the Academy will use modern training aids such as simulators, computer-based training facilities, models and actual aircraft instruments for training both at Nawabshah and PIA Training Center Karachi. Two Cessna 172N aircraft are being used for the said purpose; he said two more Cessna 172N join the fleet soon, he concluded.
Later, during the ceremony, Managing Director PIA, Nadeem Khan Yousufzai, presented a Shield to the Chief Guest, Dr Azra Fazal Pechuho. The Chief Guest distributed Certificates among 15 trainee flying cadets on completion of their Ground Training.
Towards the end of the ceremony Cadet Pilots flew off Cessna 172N aircraft at Nawabshah Airport. The Ceremony was attended by PIA Directors, Senior Officials of the airline, Businessmen, Bureaucrats, Ministers and Government officials.-PR