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End of a Journey
but the Beginning of Another
Sheikh Mohammed Bin Thani Abdullah Al-Thani
Sheikh Mohammed Bin Thani Bin Abdullah Al-Thani is a member of the Ruling Family of Qatar. Having researched a number of flying institutes Mohammed decided to join WillowAir Flying School because of their relaxed friendly attitude, the ability to specialise in JAR as well as FAA Training and their ‘track record’ with the FAA. He joined WillowAir in April 2005 and, with a lot of training, dedication and personal sacrifice, has achieved the necessary qualifications. Mohammed now possesses JAR, FAA, Jordanian and Qatari Licences and is booked for an Airbus Type Rating program in London. Mohammed will achieve all of this in around 1 year - not bad!!
All our thoughts go with Mohammed, someone who has become a very close friend of mine (as well as his family) and the many friends he has made at WillowAir.
Part of our own family – We all wish you well for the future.
Steve Papi CEO WillowAir
Training from a Cessna 152
on to a Warrior
then to Seneca Multi Engine
History of Sheikh Mohammed Bin Thani Bin Abdullah Al-Thani
Mohammed has achieved his greatest goal – from the age of 4 he has been fascinated by aircraft and has always wanted to be able to fly. His father is a very successful businessman (with company’s world-wide) and hopes that Mohammed would join him to help support his father and the business. Mohammed has shown great determination in achieving his goal although it was seen as unlikely for someone from the Royal Family to become a ‘civil service worker’.
After completing High School, and with business studies in mind, Mohammed was sent to Cambridge, England to do a course in English Language. He went on to Manchester for more advanced study in the English Language then to the London Business School for a Foundation Degree (all a must for any foreign student in the UK). Having now a command of the English Language Mohammed's father sent him to the University of Newcastle to acquire a degree in Economics and Finance but his love of flying got the better of him and he quit after one month and enrolled at Oxford Aviation to study technical aspects of aviation ground school.
Mohammed stayed with Oxford Aviation for 5 months but decided to go to ‘the best university in the UK’ (Mohammed's words) City University. There he was to do a degree in Air Transport Operations. After successfully completing the first semester he decided to put his degree on hold as his passion was really for ‘Flying’.
Mohammed went home to Qatar for 1 week to look closely at Aviation Schools and Universities, he could have enrolled anywhere but decided to start training at WillowAir straight away. Mohammed needed an institute that not only catered for the European Licence but one that could train for the FAA Licence. Welcome to WillowAir. The tight programme was scheduled for Mohammed and he never looked back.
It is quite normal for the Royal Families to go to Europe or America for the summer vacation but Mohammed sacrificed his family life to fully commit himself to his training and saw very little of his family and cousins during this period. WillowAir is based at London Southend Airport so Mohammed moved temporarily to the Southend area to be close to his studies. Mohammed passed all his exams with excellent results and his ability and competency were commented upon by his Examiners and good remarks were made about his training institute.
After getting some experience with Qatar Airways Mohammed has the intention to further his studies by going for the MSc in Air Transport Management from City University. He intends doing this as a part time degree as his flying comes first and he will be involved helping his father with his business.
During these 9 months Mohammed has achieved his lifetime goal of becoming a Commercial pilot with four licences under his belt and over 250 hours flying (not to mention many hundreds of hours ground tuition). All of the team involved with Mohammed's training, including Steve Papi, George Capon (FAA/JAA Instructor and Airbus 340 Pilot), Arwyn Jones (747 Training Captain), Ian Harding (Head Of Training), Mike, Dan, Colin and Stewart, wish Mohammed all the very best for his chosen career and good luck for the future.
I personally would like to thank Sheikh Mohammed Bin Thani Bin Abdullah Al-Thani for the sheer commitment he has shown over the 9 month period (April 2005 - January 2006) and for making us proud of his achievements.
Good luck.
Flight Planning
Back at Southend, EGMC
We Are Here, Le-Touquet France
Arriving Runway 14 LFAT
In Airways
After Flight Test, Daytona USA
UPDATE SEPTEMBER 2007
To those that became friends of 'Mo' during his training and to those that are wondering how he has progressed I think the pictures below sent by Sheikh Mohammed Bin Thani Bin Abdullah Al-Thani tell the story.
