Proflight Zambia air crew benefit from Aviation Expert

One of the worlds’s most experienced aviation experts visited Zambia last week to provide Proflight Zambia air crew with state-of-the-art ground school training for its Jetstream 32 aircraft.

The scheduled airline pilots received instruction from flying ace Tim Allen, a man who has flown more than 71 different types of aircraft types and clocked more than 10,000 flying hours in an illustrious career spanning 50 years.

The 67-year-old former test pilot, who was instrumental in developing the 29-seater Jetstream 41 aircraft used by Proflight, has been advising the airline on ways it can fine-tune its operations.

Proflight’s Director of Government and Industry Affairs Philip Lemba said his company was honoured to be benefiting from Captain Allen’s extensive experience and wisdom.

Captain Lemba said Proflight prides itself in its safe, efficient, reliable and friendly operations, and pledged to always strive for ways to maintain the strength and improve the operations so that it can better serve its customers.

This is contained in a statement made available to ZANIS in Lusaka today.

And Mr Allen said he will ensure that he gets the best out of Proflight pilots during the period he will be working with them.

“I know the Jetstream aircraft inside out, so I will be working with Proflight pilots to help them get the best out of the aircraft,” said Mr Allen, who will be providing refresher training for some 15 of Proflight’s pilots who fly their Jetstream planes.

 The training is part of Proflight’s on-going commitment to safety and follows the award in November of an Air Operators Certificate (AOC) from the Department of Civil Aviation (DCA).

The certificate was issued with the oversight of the aviation industry’s international regulator, the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), which confirmed that the airline meets rigorous international safety, security and operational standards.

The licence marks a new chapter in Zambia’s aviation industry and paves the way for Proflight to start flying on international routes in the region.

Mr. Allen has also flown as a commercial pilot throughout the world, and while he has flown over Zambian airspace, this is the first time that he has visited the country at ground level.

He has also been working with Proflight’s pilots and flight crew in recent months on a series of workshops and flights to help optimise flight operations.