Oman

[Geo]

Hi Everyone,

Does anyone have any information on general aviation/training/light aircraft rental in Oman?

So far, Google searches have left me with very little information other than Horizon Flight School in the UAE (which is the next country over) and a short post on PPRUNE which says there is effectively no GA in Oman.

Does anyone have any different experience?

cheers
g

[longjon]

there is very little general aviation in that part of the world.

it is very controlled in a lot of places and non existant in the places where dictators and strongmen and royal families run the show. it seems they are deathly afraid of being targeted from the air so no general aviation

I don't claim to speak for all countries

[righthandman]

maybe talk to the guy that posted this:
viewtopic.php?f=54&t=72821

[Geo]

maybe talk to the guy that posted this:
viewtopic.php?f=54&t=72821

Thanks, I did that.

g

[iflyforpie]

there is very little general aviation in that part of the world.

it is very controlled in a lot of places and non existant in the places where dictators and strongmen and royal families run the show. it seems they are deathly afraid of being targeted from the air so no general aviation

I don't claim to speak for all countries

At least it isn't as bad as South Vietnam was under Diem. You've got to be a pretty bad leader when your own air force tries to take you out...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1962_South ... ce_bombing

[Geo]

Flying Tail-dragger Piston Engine Skyraiders no less!

</threadjack>
Incidentally, Cadetpilot noted back to me that it seemed unlikely I would be able to rent a light plane in Oman - but Qatar and Dubai might be possible.

Anyone with any info or thoughts on general aviation in the Middle East in general?

Speaking of which, if I *did* find a school or FBO that would rent a light plane, any advice on what to look for in the logs (or anywhere else) to reassure myself that the a/c is fit to fly? Somehow I am thinking a walk around might not be completely sufficient. Any thoughts or advice would be welcome.

Funny threadjacks leading to open laughter in the office are also welcome.

g

[Panama Jack]

Ohhhh-Man!

It is definately the highlight country of the region. Friendly people, clean cities, real culture, great nature and activities. . . a refreshing lack of kitch, superficiality and arrogance so common in the Emirates next door. Unfortunately though, no general aviation whatsoever. In some parts the rulers are scared of their own shadows . . . even more so of little airplanes flown in an "uncontrolled" manner. Sorry to say.

There is General Aviation in the UAE, Qatar and Saudi Arabia. Reality is that there tends to be a lot of oversight of it with limited flying freedoms, but good enough to get your fix if you need to do some sport aviating. For example, to join one of the clubs in the UAE expect to fill out a security background check form and wait for the Government to respond with a thumbs up or down before you are allowed to join the club. Just "renting" a plane as a non-member. . . impossible.

[JMG]

I was just in Oman, and saw no sign of GA activity. What they call "Civil" aviation in that part of the world appears to be anything non-military related. I was excited to see a sign for "The Civil Aviation Club", but I found it on Facebook, and it doesn't have anything to do with flying. It IS near the Muscat airport, so maybe people just go there to watch the Airbuses and Boeings come & go?

[FL001]

Flown in there a few times. Many friends there. No general aviation whatsoever. They are not set up to handle anything other than business jets, commercial aviation and the military.

[azimuthaviation]

I know in Lebanon its available but prohibitively expensive for most people. An hours airplane rental is a months pay in minimum wage. Theres a flat fee of 170 USD to take off at night, 13.30 to open the gate to access the runway, 100LL is probably three times what it costs here. They keep announcing that they will build a second airport from an old military airfield in the north but it hasnt happened yet, most likely never will. A lot of people take flight training in Jordan, it has a big GA market and have some affiliations with flight clubs in Lebanon.