The Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) has taken a significant step towards developing its capacity for flight calibration with the training of two new pilots for its calibration aircraft.
The pilots were recently presented to the Managing Director of NAMA, Engineer Umar Farouk, in Abuja.
According to Engr. Selzing Miri, General Manager in charge of Flight Calibration Services, the agency had sent two of its staff, who were already pilots, to Dubai for type rating training on the King Air 350i aircraft used for flight calibration exercises.
Miri explained that the training was part of NAMA’s efforts to build capacity in flight calibration, a process that began in 2019 under the former Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika.
Miri noted that the development of the calibration unit is a continuous process that will enable the country to keep its navigational facilities current.
He added that with the checking out of the flight calibration crew, Nigeria is gradually moving towards attaining the capacity to render services not only to the country but also to neighboring countries and beyond.
The flight calibration unit comprises pilots, aircraft engineers, and flight inspectors.
According to Miri, the training of flight inspectors is already advanced, and they are preparing for checking out by their foreign partners soon. With NAMA having all the requirements, the agency is poised to offer calibration services to deserving countries.
The NAMA boss, Engineer Farouk, has been passionate about developing the unit and has given assurance of support in developing the pilots to become full-fledged calibration pilots.
Farouk’s commitment to building the capacity of NAMA’s flight calibration unit is expected to enhance the agency’s ability to ensure the safety and efficiency of Nigeria’s airspace.
The development of NAMA’s flight calibration unit is a significant milestone in the agency’s efforts to improve the safety and efficiency of air navigation in Nigeria.
With the training of its pilots and the development of its calibration unit, NAMA is well-positioned to provide high-quality calibration services to the aviation industry in Nigeria and beyond.
