Royal Jordanian Air Academy Instructor Yaser Albtoush: 32 Years Shaping MENA’s Aviation Future

For Yaser, aviation is not just work; it is a lifestyle. A way of viewing the world from a different perspective. His passion for aviation has made him who he is today.

Aircraft have always had a special presence in his life; they have been a source of profound wonder since his early childhood. Whenever he heard the roar of engines above him, he would gaze at the sky, captivated by the scientific wonder of such a huge object effortlessly soaring steadily through the clouds.

The allure of this blend of engineering, power, and precision led him to study aviation engineering and later work in several aviation institutions, earning him over 32 years of experience. Yaser Albtoush is currently an instructor at the Royal Jordanian Air Academy.

We interviewed him about the challenges he has encountered, discussed key milestones and delved into his practical experience:

Bridging the Gap: From Graduate to Instructor

1. Tell us about your practical experience. Were there any specific milestones that shaped your professional persona?

I graduated in 1994 and obtained numerous certificates in aviation and aviation engineering, as well as specialised courses in academic and practical training. Before becoming an instructor, I went through practical stages that profoundly shaped my professional persona and refined my career.

In the beginning, I focused on increasing my flight hours and gaining operational experience across various environments, working in training centres and taking advanced training courses that helped develop my expertise and keep pace with scientific progress in the aviation field. That stage taught me the value of strict adherence to procedures and the importance of prior preparation for every step, no matter how simple it may seem.

2. Tell us about the Royal Jordanian Air Academy and your experience working there.

The Royal Jordanian Air Academy was established in 1966 as a government academy and later became a private academy. It is ranked among the best academies in the Middle East and worldwide, attracting students from almost all Arab countries, as well as from some African and European nations. The institution has been instrumental in the graduation of numerous pilots and aviation engineers, many of whom have gone on to hold leadership positions in major airlines both across the Arab world and internationally.

My experience there has been a true turning point in my career. From the very first moment, I felt I was part of a prestigious institution at both the regional and global levels, with a clear vision and mission in the aviation industry. The Academy is not just a workplace, but a supportive environment that stimulates innovation, critical thinking, and self-development. Currently, I teach B2 Avionics subjects under the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) system, as well as Aircraft General Knowledge (AGK) subjects, which focus on aircraft electricity, electronics, aerodynamics, displays, and equipment, in addition to the flight simulator course.

During my time at the Academy, I learned a lot, not only about aviation technologies, but also about working under pressure, proper planning, and team spirit. The instructors at the Academy have always been an example of dedication and knowledge. The Academy’s commitment to aligning international standards with market requirements has given me strong confidence in my abilities.

Building a Safety Mindset: The Real Challenge

3. What are the most important challenges you faced while working with advanced maintenance and training systems at the Academy? And what is the biggest lesson you learned from your experience in the aviation world?

During my time at the Academy, I faced several challenges that were, in fact, opportunities for growth and development in advanced training fields. The most notable of these was keeping pace with the rapid technological advancements in modern aviation systems, whether in maintenance or flight simulators, which evolve swiftly. The challenge was not just understanding the technology, but being able to employ it properly in training without letting the technology overshadow the student’s basic skills.

Another major challenge was ensuring an effective communication loop between the maintenance teams and the teaching staff, because even a slight flaw in procedures or mutual understanding could impact operational safety and training quality. I learned that successful institutional work depends on clear responsibilities and smooth coordination, as well as on implementing a safety culture rather than simply discussing it. Enforcing regulations is essential, but the real challenge is building a safety mindset among every student, instructor, and technician, so everyone feels safety is a personal responsibility, not just written instructions.

4. What is the role of continuous education and training in your career? How do you keep your knowledge up to date with global training ideologies?

Continuous education and training are essential to any instructor’s career path. In the world of aviation, there is no such thing as “knowledge sufficiency.” Every stage you reach is just the beginning of a deeper phase of learning.

From my early days, I understood that obtaining a license or certificate is not the end of the road, but a starting point. Through my work with the Royal Jordanian Air Academy, I realised that an instructor, in particular, must always stay up to date with technological and methodological developments, because training quality directly reflects safety and efficiency levels and elevates the competence of graduates.

Two Wings: Balancing Theory and Practice

5. What is the difference between theoretical and practical training at the Academy? Which is more impactful?

Theoretical and practical training are viewed as two wings; without one, an aeroplane cannot fly. Each plays an essential, complementary role in developing a professional pilot and aviation engineer. At the Royal Jordanian Air Academy, we keep up with the latest practical and theoretical training requirements, as the Academy houses a fleet of modern aircraft, advanced flight simulators, and sophisticated engineering workshops.

6. How do you deal with students of varying abilities? What is your personal approach to motivation?

Dealing with students of varying abilities is one of the most beautiful and difficult aspects of training. In a work environment like the Academy, we meet students with different educational backgrounds, personalities, and learning styles. Here is where the true role of the instructor begins. The most important thing is instilling in the student a sense of their value as a pilot or aviation engineer, and an understanding that these professions rank among the most distinguished yet most demanding globally.

7. Are there any training experiences or students who left a special mark on you? Why?

There are experiences and students who left a profound impact on my training career, not only because of their excellence but sometimes because of the challenges we navigated together.

One of the most impactful experiences was with a student who started his journey with very low confidence and doubted his ability to continue the program. He didn’t suffer from a lack of knowledge, but rather from performance anxiety under pressure. We worked together to build his confidence step by step, breaking down skills, repeating scenarios in the simulator and in practical training, and focusing on small achievements rather than mistakes.

Keeping Pace with Rapid Tech Advancements

8. What are the essential skills you believe are necessary for any pilot or aviation technician in today’s world?

Today, aviation has become more advanced and complex. Therefore, there is a set of essential skills that any pilot, engineer, or aviation technician must possess to be effective and safe. These include, for example, communication skills, teamwork, staying up to date with modern technologies, discipline, precision, critical thinking, and decision-making.

9. How do you view the evolution of aviation training trends over the past years, especially with the introduction of modern technologies like flight simulators?

Aviation training trends have changed significantly in recent years. Training is no longer limited to traditional methods; it has become an integrated blend of science, technology, and practical experience. This is especially true after the introduction of Artificial Intelligence systems, which have accelerated this evolution and fundamentally transformed how pilots and aviation engineers are prepared.

10. What is your vision for the future of aviation training in Jordan and the Middle East in general, especially with the increasing demand for aviation skills?

Studies and analyses indicate that the region will face a massive shortage of pilots in the coming years. It is expected that airlines in the Middle East will need more than 10,000 additional pilots by 2030 due to strong growth in air traffic and fleet expansion.

This demand is not just for pilots, but also includes flight instructors, aviation engineers, maintenance technicians, and simulator/technological training specialists. The growth in air traffic requires competencies and expertise across multiple fields, which means the aviation training sector will continue to thrive in the Middle East.