Diamond Aircraft and SNCA announce purchase agreement of 60 aircraft

The Saudi National Company of Aviation (SNCA), a CAE Authorized Training Center, has selected Diamond Aircraft twin DA42-VI and single DA40 NG for its training center. The agreement will comprise 60 airplanes over a five-year period. Delivery of the first 12 aircraft will start February 2019.

The DA40 NG and the DA42-VI represent the newest versions of Diamond’s technology leading piston aircraft fleet, the first certified general aviation piston aircraft to combine modern technology airframes, avionics and power plants. The aircraft are equipped with efficient, clean and reliable jet-fuel piston Austro engines and Garmin G1000 NXi avionics systems, representing the very best of modern piston aircraft technology.

“We are proud to be SNCA’s choice of training aircraft for the establishment of their new flight training organization,” says Amila Spiegel, Sales & Marketing Director Diamond Aircraft Austria. “The commitment of another reputable big flight school to our airplanes and flight training solution proves we are meeting the demands of flight training organisations worldwide. We are the only manufacturer who offers a full range of modern, safe, efficient and reliable single and twin engine aircraft, along with proprietary jet-fuel piston engines and professional high fidelity Diamond Simulation flight training devices.”

“This purchase agreement is one of the largest in history of aviation academies in Saudi Arabia and perhaps the Middle East region. It also marks a new era of aviation training in The Kingdom which is well aligned with the Kingdom’s 2030 vision. SNCA is determined to provide the aviation industry with highly qualified male and female pilots who will be part of the development of our aviation industry and serve as an integral tool for development in the region. We have carefully selected Diamond aircraft because of their well-known reputation of safety and efficiency. We are confident that our choice of partnership with Diamond will guarantee our young trainee cadets the best possible learning experiences,” says Anthony Miller, director of global business Development at SNCA.

About SNCA

The Saudi National Company of Aviation (SNCA), a CAE Authorized Training Center, was established to provide high quality training for young cadets and equipping them with the latest methodologies using latest equipment. Saudi Arabia, specifically, and the Middle East region, in general, is facing a significant shortfall in airline pilots both now and in the immediate future. The academy aims at facing this shortfall by providing the Saudi and Gulf region with qualified pilots that, not only are highly qualified, but also meet the specific requirements for airlines in the region.  The Center has already begun its operation in the Foundation Year program with an excess of 400 students; the first batch of young cadets is expected to complete the program and graduate in 2020. 

At the 2017 Dubai Air Show, the Saudi National Company of Aviation (SNCA) and CAE announced a collaboration agreement for the creation of a CAE Authorized Training Centre in the region. Under the terms of the agreement, CAE will provide the authorized training center in Dammam, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the key elements for world-class cadet training such as commercial pilot license curriculum and courseware, the training of staff and instructors, and safety and quality control systems. The new CAE Authorized Training Centre is funded by the Saudi National Company of Aviation (SNCA) and will be located at King Fahad International Airport, Dammam, in a dedicated 40,000 square meter site.