NAF
Again, NAF Holds
NAF
Again, NAF Holds Combined Graduation for Pilots,
Captains in Kaduna
The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) today, 10 December 2019, held a
combined Graduation Ceremony for Instructor Pilot Courses 10/2019
and 11/2019 as well as the presentation of certificates to Captains
and First Officers on the Diamond 42 and 40 aircraft at its 401
Flying Training School (401 FTS) in Kaduna. In addition, a Hall of
Fame built to showcase the pilots that have passed through the 401
FTS was also commissioned.
In his remarks, the Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal
Sadique Abubakar, who was the Guest of Honour at the occasion,
expressed his delight at the positive trend of activities and
milestones of progress recorded by the Air Training Command (ATC)
and 401 FTS, in particular.
One of these landmark achievements, he recalled, was the
graduation of Student Pilot Course (SPC) 45 in June 2019 – a class
of bright young cadets who concluded their Ab-initio flying
training before they were commissioned as officers. According to
him, the combined graduation marked another milestone and was a
positive departure from the erstwhile norm.
The CAS recalled a time when flying training in the NAF faced a
lot of challenges ranging from unserviceable platforms to lack of
spares and other sundry issues but noted that, since the assumption
of Office of the Buhari-led Federal Government, the Service has
acquired several additional platforms, including 10 Super Mushshak,
to boost flying training efforts in 401 FTS, Kaduna.
He stated further that, since these acquisitions, about 139
Student Pilots (SPs) had passed through 401 FTS. Of this number, a
total of 110 SPs successfully completed their training in the
school, while the other 29 proceeded for their flying training
overseas. “These achievements are a very giant leap from what was
obtainable in the past. I am equally aware that there are 30 SPs
currently undergoing their ab-initio training as members of SPC 46,
while SPC 47 will be resuming in January 2020 for their training.
The human capacity development efforts of this administration have
consequently enhanced our force projection capability not only
within Nigeria but also beyond our borders”, he added. While
congratulating the graduating pilots and instructors, the CAS
charged them to ensure safe and efficient operations of the various
platforms assigned to them whilst putting into consideration such
factors as airworthiness of the aircraft, weather, flight
regulations and air traffic control procedures, amongst others.
Earlier in his welcome address, the Commander 401 FTS, Air
Commodore Eneobong Effiom, remarked that the successes recorded by
the School were made possible due to the unwavering support of the
current NAF leadership that had ensured the enabling environment
for effective flying training. He said, as a result, 401 FTS has
recorded tremendous achievements in the last 4 years including the
conduct of several re-currency trainings for pilots as well as
graduation of 28 members of SPC 45 and ongoing flying Phase
training for 30 members of SPC 46.
Other highlights of the ceremony were the presentation of Course
Certificates and Badges to the graduands as well as the
commissioning of the “Air Marshal SB Abubakar Hall of Fame” within
the School.
IBIKUNLE DARAMOLA
Air Commodore
Director of Public Relations and Information
Nigerian Air Force