NCAT procures more trainer aircraft in addition to 20 serviceable ones

The Nigerian College of Aviation Technology (NCAT) is committed to achieving its mandate as it procures more trainer aircraft to match the current demands of the students.

Presently, the college has about 20 serviceable trainer aircraft but, considering the increasing demands of modern technology for pilots and aircraft engineers, will take delivery of more tech-improved aircraft to move at the same pace with the global trend for modern technology.

The Rector of the College, Capt. Alkali Modibo, disclosed this during a press briefing with the League of Airport and Aviation Correspondents (LAAC) at the college premises in Zaria.

He said, “So far, we have Diamonds, Tampicos, and Beech Baron 58. We are looking at getting more Diamond aircraft; seven of the Diamond aircraft were supplied in 2020 and this year, we will be taking delivery of two of the Diamond aircraft – double and single-engine. At a given time, you have at least five to six serviceable airplanes. Presently, we have about 20 serviceable aircraft at the college, but whatever we have, is enough to train students at any given time.

“As I said earlier, we intend to take delivery of more airplanes this year. We will take one in February and another in April. The Diamonds will be about 15 in all. They are advanced cockpit; we have the latest technology that you can find in any machine in it and it uses Jet A1, which is cheaper than the Aviation Gas (AvGas). Aviation gas is not easy to come by, we have to import it into Nigeria and that is what the Tampicos are using.”

In addition to the Diamonds and the Tampicos, the Rector also disclosed that the college will procure a Magnus trainer aircraft, known for its sophistry but less expensive and easy to maintain.

“It will gladden me to tell you that we are moving another step higher.  We are thinking of getting Magnus, which is another airplane that is manufactured in Hungry. We have been to their factory with the NCAA and the Ministry of Aviation. We conducted our technical inspection; sooner or later, we will start to have those machines here.

“The advantages of that machine are that; one, it is made from carbon fibre, very light and it uses Premium Motoring Spirit (PMS) like the one you use in your car. So, from AvGas, we want down to Jet A1 and we are also going into PMS. It is going to be less expensive to run with that aircraft.

“Something unique about that aircraft is that it has a parachute of its own. If you lose an engine, there is a parachute that you will pull and the engine will come out and the pilot will be able to land the aircraft with that parachute. With this, you have saved a life and the equipment. The parachute is there for you in case you lose an engine and the aircraft has only one engine,” said Modibo.

Having been certified by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) as the Regional Training Centre of Excellence, Modibo said the college needs to increase its training activities in line with ICAO in order to boost its visibility internationally and locally.