The Saudi Aviation Club (SAC) is an independent non-profit club and the first official aviation club in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. It was established under the Council of Ministers Resolution issued on December 4, 2000. It seeks to instill the culture and science of aviation and encourage aviation-related activities among community members. The club has its own airport: Thumamah Airport, located north of Riyadh, in King Khalid Royal Reserve.
The Board of Directors of the club is chaired by Prince Sultan Bin Salman Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud. The SAC is the official representative of the Kingdom in the World Air Sports Federation (FAI). It is a member of the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA).
Establishment of the Saudi Aviation Club
On December 4, 2000, the Council of Ministers approved the establishment of the SAC upon reviewing the submission of the second deputy Prime Minister, the Minister of Defense and Aviation and Inspector General back then, Prince Sultan Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, on November 1, 1994, on permitting the practice of powered parachute as a hobby and suggesting the establishment of the SAC.
The SAC is affiliated with Thumamah Airport (OETH), located north of Riyadh, in King Khalid Royal Reserve. It is situated at a distance of twenty-eight km from King Khalid International Airport. The airport features one of the longest runways in the Kingdom, extending along four thousand m. It is also affiliated with al-Mindassah Aerodrome, an under-development and partly operating airport located forty-three km north of al-Madinah al-Munawwarah.
Objectives of the SAC
The SAC aims to facilitate amateur practice of various aviation activities, including powered parachutes, instilling the culture and science of aviation, offering aviation training and courses on aviation science, cooperating with the educational and technical aviation-specialized establishments and other aviation clubs, fostering talents within the field of aviation, its industry, and engineering.
The club also holds seminars on aviation. It takes part in air shows and local and international exhibitions. It seeks to ensure the preservation, maintenance, and operation of private jets through concluding contracts with the concerned parties. It organizes leisure trips and contributes to humanitarian work.
Services of the SAC
The SAC offers aircraft private hangar accommodation services. Services are offered to all aircraft types, including gyrocopters, light-sport aircraft, and general aviation aircraft. It also ensures the security and safety of the aircraft and its accessories. The club offers fuel services, maintenance, inspections, and upgrade services periodically required by light aircraft, sport aircraft, and gyrocopters following the regulations and schedule set under the aircraft record. The club offers aircraft management and rental services.
Programs and activities of the SAC
The SAC offers various programs and activities periodically, including theoretical training sessions on aircraft and aviation safety, to raise the awareness of club members and other parties on operational safety aspects. The club also offers a fly-in flights yearly schedule. These flights are group trips in which the owners and pilots of light and sports aircraft take part and travel across the Kingdom to introduce general aviation, represent this sector, and spread its culture throughout the community.
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