Whats the GA situation like in Saudi?

[student-mork]

Hi,
Ive just arrived in Saudi working in the security field in Riyadh, Ive got a JAA fATPL and only 240hrs. Is there any prospect of me being able to do any GA flying out here?
Im also thinking of doing an FIs course when I get back to the UK on leave, are there any instructors jobs over here? I have an Ogama (misspelt?)
Additionally, what are the low hours job prospects over here?
Any info greatly received

[mearse]

General Aviation and Saudi Arabia.... usually these dont go together, but you are lucky with your timing....

check out:

www.jeddahaviationclub.com
www.sac.com.sa

As for opportunities..... ummm, there are about 1000 Saudi nationals with the same qualifications as you... Also take note that you are a slave, brought in to do a job, you are not allowed to do any other job, such as FI.

Enjoy it.....

[student-mork]

Thanks for the websites, Im looking into them.
I think Ill wait until Im settled in before I start doing any flying.
If anyone else has anything to add, dont be shy!

PS. Im nobodys' slave.

[Bear 555]

student-mork,

I recently lived in Saudi and still frequent on business. One of my friends there flew various non-airline flights in the western region, but had previously been with Saudia as, I believe, an IP.

He made it clear to me that he had been fired from the airline twice because a student or ex-student of his had made a mistake or been responsible for an incident of some kind.

I suspect the logic would follow - you would be responsible throughout time for all your students 'actions'. If the are bad pilots then you must have taught them badly.

Just a thought.

Take care whatever you are up to.

Bear 555




ps - back in a few weeks to RUH. Wanna meet for a Starbucks?

[student-mork]

Thanks Bear, I have PMd you.

[mali]

slavery

Sorry to say - the fact is, you are a foreigner working in Saudi - You are a slave..... but you can enjoy the experience!

[Ty Webb]

Perhaps try the N.C.W.C.A. It`s the National Commission for Wildlife Conservation and Development in Riyadh.There was a time when they were employing expats. I don`t know the situation these days though.Good luck!

[mutt]

Bear 555, was your friend from Latvia??

student-mork, Saudi labor law restricts you to doing the job thats on your igama. You will not be allowed fly as a Flight Instructor.

The Saudi Aviation Club is pretty active, the will have a skydiving club and a flying club in operation by the summer. I dont know how much they will charge, but with the MOST expensive AVGAS in the region, i wouldnt expect it to be cheap.

Your best bet is to check our www.airarabia.com and head off to the UAE.



Mutt.

[Bear 555]

mutt,

Friend was from San Francisco I think! In the end he decided it was all just too hard.



student mork,

pm'd you back.



cheers

Bear 555

[Bear 555]

PPRuNe Riyadh 'Starbucks Bash'

Pleased to report perhaps the first (?) PPRuNe 'bash' in Riyadh!

Student mork and I met for a starbucks and gossiped for a few hours. Not as exotic as Gatwick, but the start of something big! Would have had a photo but forgot my camera - never mind.

Next time we'll head for Jeddah and visit with our friends in the west.

Regards to all,

Bear 555

[mutt]

I was under the impression that a "real" PPrune Bash had to involve booze.......... NOT STARBUCKS!

Come west.......


Mutt.

[Bear 555]

Thanks for the invitation Mutt. Once we can spring student-mork from the capital and his shift pattern, the red sea will be a first stop.

So anyway, your definition of reality in KSA is........?

cheers,

Bear 555

[student-mork]

Hey Mutt, you need to get up here, as I explained to Bbear at Starbucks Im sat slap bang in the middle of the one of a few places in Saudi thats got a bar with proper grog And its legal too!
Anyone out there that can hook this fATPL with a job gets an invite! Beers, wines and spirits... no takeouts though, sorry!

[Paterbrat]

wouldn't advertise that too much, the mutawah are always interested in such dens of iniquity and corruption and will be happy to close down just such a place. As for legality that is questionable??? Discretion has always been the watchword in that part of the world I do assure you. Your search for recreational flying has been shared by many over the years and sadly rarely found.

[Bear 555]

Paterbrat,

hehe - knowing student-mork's line of business and place of employment it sure is a den of iniquity!!!

I 'heard' that the SAC are bringing skydiving up to Thumamah 'by the end of the year', so remain hopeful (as ever) that GA will follow...

cheers all,

Bear 555

[mutt]

Spoke to Captain Ahmed Jahani who is the director of the SAC, he had hoped to have the sky diving operational as soon as the weather cooled down. They also took the microlights from Jeddah, but considering that the there are only two microlight pilots qualified to fly them and both of these are Jeddah based, I doubt that they have flown over there.

Student-monk, have passed through Riyadh about 5 times in the last month, but somehow the idea of staying there for a beer isnt appealing!

Mutt.

[mutt]

Had a chat today with one of the PCA bigwigs, they seem intent to have two flight schools operational by the end of the year. Unfortunately for you student-monk they will be operating under the new Saudi civil aviation regulations, so your JAR licence will have to be validated.

Cheers

Mutt.

[Glorified Donkey]

For some of us, we're slaves to the tax man, is it really worse in Riyadh?