The Nigerian College of Aviation Technology (NCAT), Zaria, in the third quarter of 2020 received a Boeing 7373 (B737) flight simulator worth $21 billion (about N7.56bn). The Rector of NCAT, Captain Abdulsalami Mohammed, in this interview, gave reasons for the delay in installing the device, and other issues.
As rector of NCAT for four years, how has the journey been?
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When I got to Zaria, I met a number of projects on ground; some were stalled due to lack of funds, and some were ongoing at slow pace due to paucity of funds, but with the support and assistance of the minister and the government, we got huge improvements in the funding and budget releases. Thus we were able to complete some of the projects, but for the heavy dollar-denominated ones, we were able to make significant progress.
We also had to look at ways to improve Internally Generated Revenue (IGR). We realised that most of the aviation personnel are in Lagos and reluctant to come to Zaria, so we introduced off-site courses in Lagos on part-time – in the evenings or on weekends. We also introduced additional courses in the flying school such as the Airline Transport Pilot License that had not been done in Nigeria
We also introduced multiple cooperation and jet orientation courses to prepare graduate pilots for the airline industry where they will be flying with other crew and support services. These are just a few of the things we have done.
Has the employment rate for graduate pilots improved?
It’s a gradual process. There are quite a number of them trained but are jobless. Things started picking up for them, but unfortunately, COVID-19 hit us. Even those that were employed became jobless, but we believe that once we are out of the pandemic, things will begin to pick up and there will be job opportunities.
Recently, I saw one airline doing a demonstration flight. I know there are about five airlines that are going through the Air Operator Certificate (AOC) process. So that will create more job opportunities for the pilots when these airlines begin to fly.
How soon can the aviation industry return to the pre-COVID normal?
I think we have survived; the worst is over. We are trying to pick up the pieces. I don’t think we will go back to what it was. COVID-19 has brought a lot of changes. As we used to have a yellow fever vaccine before we travel, we may begin to have proof of COVID-19 vaccines before we travel. People have become more aware of their health responsibilities. One of the more permanent effects on the international market is the realisation that jumbo jets are no longer profitable to operate. That is why a lot of careers have scrapped their B747 and Airbus A380 as fewer people are travelling because they are afraid and they do not want large crowds.
In Nigeria, things will pick up a bit faster as the effect on the industry isn’t as bad as in other countries. Lessons have been learnt and things will begin to pick up by God’s grace.
NCAT has received seven Diamond aircraft, when will the rest be delivered?
In 2017, I took delivery of the twin-engine. In 2020, we took delivery of six single-engine aircraft. What we have on order is 15 single-engine and five twin-engine Diamond aircraft. Last year, we were supposed to have taken delivery of an additional two, one twin-engine and one single-engine, but because of COVID-19, there was a government directive to reduce our capital budget by 25 per cent so we couldn’t continue with that order, and we shifted to 2021. So we should have those two aircraft delivered before the year ends.
So taking delivery of all the orders depends on the budget released to us. We operate an envelope budget system and all aviation agencies try to fit their capital budgets, but now that we are virtually done with the 737 simulator, which was taking a lot of money, we should put more money into the re-fleeting project. I see a situation where the next order will have at least four aircraft.
Has the College started using the Boeing 737 flight simulator?
No; it has been delivered to Zaria, and sitting in containers and hasn’t been installed yet. At the time it was shipped in, we went into lockdown. It took a long time to clear and transport the simulator to Zaria. At the time the shipment got to Zaria, there was a ban on international travel. So we need people from the manufacturers in Canada to come and do the installation. They couldn’t travel at the time because of the ban.
When the ban was lifted, we had issues of isolation. They did their arithmetic and they said they didn’t want to spend Christmas in Zaria. Thankfully with the vaccine, they are making arrangements to vaccinate the crew coming, and hopefully, by this month, they should arrive for the installation. I can’t wait for the installation to be completed because I have several requests from airlines who want to come and start using it.
What value would this bring to the industry?
In terms of savings to the government, the simulator is the NG type, and only Arik Air, the presidential air fleet and recently Allied Air operate the NG type. They are the only ones that can use the simulator. I think the presidential air fleet has been going to different parts of the world to train. Same with Arik, but with the availability of the facility here, they won’t need to do that.
The plan we have is to try to attract other clients in Africa who are using the NG type equipment.
Are there plants to acquire other simulator types?
Yes; in the building that is housing the NG simulator, I have made provision for a second simulator. So I have two simulator-based buildings complete with all the fittings and everything that is required. We are studying the market to know which to procure.
Have you put the fire simulator that was also procured recently to use?
No; but it has been fully installed, tested and functional. We need some critical accessories to go with it. So we have commenced the procurement process, complete it and put it to use soon.
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