I've yet to see any aircraft, but this is a start.....
RIYADH, 24 July — Prince Sultan ibn Salman, chairman
of the Supreme Commission for Tourism, announced
yesterday the launch of the Kingdom’s first flying
club that will encourage flying, hot air balloon rides
and paragliding as hobbies among Saudis and
expatriates.
Addressing a press conference here, Prince Sultan ibn
Salman, who has been named the chairman of the club,
said the project proposed some three years ago had the
approval of Prince Sultan, second deputy premier and
minister of defense and aviation. Prince Sultan will
be the chief patron of the club, which will operate
within regulations approved by the Ministry of Defense
and Aviation.
Besides promoting aviation as a hobby, the club will
run a school to teach flying. Prince Sultan ibn Salman
said the club was examining whether to set up its own
school or allow an overseas flying school to run it on
its behalf. The students graduating from the school
would receive a license recognized by the Federal
Aviation Authority of the US. Prince Sultan said the
club would hold seminars and attend air fairs, both
local and international, to keep abreast of
developments in the civil aviation field. It will also
make use of the Internet to develop contacts with
other aviation clubs around the world.
The club would support gifted students interested in
making aviation their career. To this end, an
awareness campaign will be launched in some major
Saudi and international schools. As for its finances,
contributions would come from the board members,
besides donations, income from royalties, investments
and sponsorship of events by commercial organizations.
The Supreme Commission for Tourism will manage the
funds until when the club can operate on its own.