King Hussein of Jordan on Saturday (August 5) awarded graduation certificates and prizes to a new class of Arab civil pilots who have completed their course of studies at the Royal Jordanian Academy of Aeronautics, at Amman Airport. The Academy was founded at the command of the King -- himself a keen flier-- in 1970, with the aim of training young Arabs, mainly from Jordan, as commercial pilots. Previously they had been forced to travel for instruction to Britain and the United States.

The Academy's Chief Flying Instructor, Captain Lee Jones, who is English, says its standards measure up to British requirements. To obtain a licence, students must log 230 hours day-light and night flying. They receive extensive theoretical and instrument training and are subjected to military-style discipline during the fifteen months of the course. The Ground School is based on the requirements of the British Civil Aviation Authority.

Competition for places is extremely keen and selection methods are severe: only ten are admitted to each course. Eight pilots received their certificates and now jobs await them at the Royal Jordanian Airline, Alis, and other Arab airlines.

SYNOPSIS: The King, himself a keen pilot, was accompanied to the ceremony by Princes Abdullah and Faisal.

Discipline at the Academy is of military strictness and drill, physical fitness and desert survival training are all requirements of the course. Another two classes are scheduled to graduate this year.