Oman Air Engineering Department has selected eleven young Omanis for a comprehensive training programme in Engineering at The Air Service Training College (AST College), Perth, Scotland. The Ab-Initio trainees have been carefully selected to undergo a 21- month Engineering Training Program, specializing in Aircraft Maintenance.

Ab-Initio training is of importance for those students who wish to undertake engineering roles within the operational side of the aviation industry, as it provides the necessary knowledge and foundation for obtaining the required regulatory qualifications. Oman Air Engineering considers Ab-Initio training programme as an integral learning exercise for those students aspiring to become aircraft maintenance Engineers, and has over the years sent its employees to different Ab-Initio training institutions around the world.

Oman Air’s Engineering Division highlighted that in partnership with Perth College, Air Service Training College delivers a range of academic courses in aeronautical engineering. AST College, as they also notified, has a long and successful history of providing training to the world’s airlines, aircraft maintenance organisations and military formations. Throughout this time, the College has trained over 12,000 engineers from more than 150 countries. AST’s training programmes are renowned for their consistency and relevance to the fast changing demands of the aviation industry. Oman Air, they added, fully expects this training programme to continue on an annual basis and expressed the Company’s pride and anticipation for the launch of this new programme. The successful trainees, they assured, will definitely add further strength to Oman Air’s Engineering Division. AST is a European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) Part 147 approved school that delivers its Engineering courses i.a.w. (in accordance with) EASA Part 66 syllabus.

The Oman Air trainees’ courses cover theoretical & practical elements. On successful completion of the Air Service Training (AST) program, they would obtain a Certificate of Recognition and will then undergo a 2 year practical experience programme with Oman Air Engineering Division at Muscat International Airport. During this period, the students will be performing Base & Line Maintenance activities under the supervision of skilled licensed Engineers & Supervisors. On their successful completion of the 2 year practical experience programme, the trainees will obtain their EASA Part 66 – Aircraft Maintenance Engineer’s accredit, which is recognized in all EU countries. The students will then be able to convert these licenses to Oman DGSAS Aircraft Maintenance Engineer’s license in order to certify Omani registered aircraft.

Corporate Communications and Media Department affirmed that Oman Air’s Engineering Department meets with the high standards of safety through the introduction of the latest technologies and the development of the human resources. With Muscat International Airport all set for a major phased expansion, Oman Air is working closely with the concerned authorities to ensure that the company is well equipped to handle the new challenges, they said in conclusion.