Boutros Salim AbouNader
Encyclopedia
Boutros Salim AbouNader is a former Lebanese civil aviation
pilot. He was one of the first four Lebanese pilots to achieve the rank of Captain in any airline, and has worked for Middle East Airlines
(MEA) for over 50 years.
In 1951 Boutros began work as an Air Traffic Controller for Beirut airport where he remained until 1955. He then moved to the America to train for his Private Pilot License
(PPL), his Commercial Pilot License (CPL), his Instrument Flight
(IFL) qualification and his Multi-Engine Rating (MER) qualification which he completed between 1955-57. He then moved back to Lebanon to fly for MEA.
Although he only flew three flights in a Douglas DC-3
as a trainee co-pilot before becoming a 1st Officer in 1957, this was not uncommon for the time. He continued to fly DC-3s until 1958, when he flew as a co-pilot on the Avro York
and then a Vickers Viscount
in 1959. He remained flying the latter as a co-pilot until 3 February 1965 when he flew his first flight as Captain. This coincided with a move to the de Havilland Comet 4C
.
In May 1965 Boutros flew the first aircraft onto the new asphalt runway of Dubai International Airport
as part of the official opening ceremony. Interestingly, in 1963 he had been the co-pilot of a Vickers Viscount which accidentally landed on the uncompleted new runway of Heliopolis Airport, prior to its re-opening as Cairo International Airport
.
He then went on to pilot the Convair CV-990A
and Boeing 707
in 1968 and 1969 due to the destruction of 13 MEA aircraft in December 1968 as the result of an Israeli commando raid
. MEA extended its fleet in 1975 to include a number of Boeing 747-200B
and Boutros flew one of the first two of these aircraft from Seattle to Beirut International Airport
and on the 4th of April 1975 he was made a Knight of the Order of the Cedar
.
In 1992 he had reached MEAs standard retirement age of 60, having flow for the airline since the 16 December 1957. However, due to a lack of qualified Check-and-Training pilots, the airline extraordinarily renewed his contract for this role until 1995, whereupon they again extended his contract to enable him to remain with the airline in his current part-time advisory role.
During his time with MEA he became the Assistant Vice-President of Operations, the Vice-President of Operations and Services and the Vice-President of Special Assignments. He flew for over 20,000 air hours and approximately 7,000 simulation hours.
Civil aviation
Civil aviation is one of two major categories of flying, representing all non-military aviation, both private and commercial. Most of the countries in the world are members of the International Civil Aviation Organization and work together to establish common standards and recommended practices...
pilot. He was one of the first four Lebanese pilots to achieve the rank of Captain in any airline, and has worked for Middle East Airlines
Middle East Airlines
Middle East Airlines – Air Liban S.A.L. , more commonly known as Middle East Airlines , is the national flag-carrier airline of Lebanon, with its head office in Beirut, near Beirut Rafic Hariri International Airport...
(MEA) for over 50 years.
In 1951 Boutros began work as an Air Traffic Controller for Beirut airport where he remained until 1955. He then moved to the America to train for his Private Pilot License
Private Pilot License
A Private Pilot License or, in the United States of America, a Private Pilot Certificate, is a license that permits the holder to act as the pilot of an aircraft privately . The requirements to obtain the license are determined by the International Civil Aviation Authority , but the actual...
(PPL), his Commercial Pilot License (CPL), his Instrument Flight
Instrument flight rules
Instrument flight rules are one of two sets of regulations governing all aspects of civil aviation aircraft operations; the other are visual flight rules ....
(IFL) qualification and his Multi-Engine Rating (MER) qualification which he completed between 1955-57. He then moved back to Lebanon to fly for MEA.
Douglas DC-3
The Douglas DC-3 is an American fixed-wing propeller-driven aircraft whose speed and range revolutionized air transport in the 1930s and 1940s. Its lasting impact on the airline industry and World War II makes it one of the most significant transport aircraft ever made...
as a trainee co-pilot before becoming a 1st Officer in 1957, this was not uncommon for the time. He continued to fly DC-3s until 1958, when he flew as a co-pilot on the Avro York
Avro York
The Avro York was a British transport aircraft that was derived from the Second World War Lancaster heavy bomber, and used in both military and airliner roles between 1943 and 1964.-Design and development:...
and then a Vickers Viscount
Vickers Viscount
The Vickers Viscount was a British medium-range turboprop airliner first flown in 1948 by Vickers-Armstrongs, making it the first such aircraft to enter service in the world...
in 1959. He remained flying the latter as a co-pilot until 3 February 1965 when he flew his first flight as Captain. This coincided with a move to the de Havilland Comet 4C
De Havilland Comet
The de Havilland DH 106 Comet was the world's first commercial jet airliner to reach production. Developed and manufactured by de Havilland at the Hatfield, Hertfordshire, United Kingdom headquarters, it first flew in 1949 and was a landmark in aeronautical design...
.
In May 1965 Boutros flew the first aircraft onto the new asphalt runway of Dubai International Airport
Dubai International Airport
Dubai International Airport is an international airport serving Dubai, the largest city of the United Arab Emirates. It is a major aviation hub in the Middle East, and is the main airport of Dubai. It is situated in the Al Garhoud district, southeast of Dubai...
as part of the official opening ceremony. Interestingly, in 1963 he had been the co-pilot of a Vickers Viscount which accidentally landed on the uncompleted new runway of Heliopolis Airport, prior to its re-opening as Cairo International Airport
Cairo International Airport
Cairo International Airport is the busiest airport in Egypt and the primary hub for Star Alliance member EgyptAir. The airport is located to the north-east of the city around from the business area of the city.The airport is administered by the Egyptian Holding Co...
.
Convair 990
The Convair 990 Coronado was a narrow-body jet airliner produced by the Convair division of General Dynamics, a "stretched" version of their earlier Convair 880 produced in response to a request from American Airlines. The 990 was lengthened by 10 feet, which increased the number of passengers from...
and Boeing 707
Boeing 707
The Boeing 707 is a four-engine narrow-body commercial passenger jet airliner developed by Boeing in the early 1950s. Its name is most commonly pronounced as "Seven Oh Seven". The first airline to operate the 707 was Pan American World Airways, inaugurating the type's first commercial flight on...
in 1968 and 1969 due to the destruction of 13 MEA aircraft in December 1968 as the result of an Israeli commando raid
1968 Israeli raid on Lebanon
The 1968 Israeli raid on Lebanon, code-named Operation Gift , was an Israel Defense Forces Special Forces operation against Beirut International Airport on the night of December 27 - 28, 1968...
. MEA extended its fleet in 1975 to include a number of Boeing 747-200B
Boeing 747
The Boeing 747 is a wide-body commercial airliner and cargo transport, often referred to by its original nickname, Jumbo Jet, or Queen of the Skies. It is among the world's most recognizable aircraft, and was the first wide-body ever produced...
and Boutros flew one of the first two of these aircraft from Seattle to Beirut International Airport
Beirut Rafic Hariri International Airport
Beirut Rafic Hariri International Airport is located 9 km from the city centre in the southern suburbs of Beirut, Lebanon and is the only operational commercial airport in the country. It is the hub for Lebanon's national carrier, Middle East Airlines...
and on the 4th of April 1975 he was made a Knight of the Order of the Cedar
National Order of the Cedar
The National Order of the Cedar is a prestigious civilian and military award and Medal of the Lebanese Government. This Order is the highest decoration in Lebanon and is made up of five Grades :* Grand Cordon...
.
In 1992 he had reached MEAs standard retirement age of 60, having flow for the airline since the 16 December 1957. However, due to a lack of qualified Check-and-Training pilots, the airline extraordinarily renewed his contract for this role until 1995, whereupon they again extended his contract to enable him to remain with the airline in his current part-time advisory role.
During his time with MEA he became the Assistant Vice-President of Operations, the Vice-President of Operations and Services and the Vice-President of Special Assignments. He flew for over 20,000 air hours and approximately 7,000 simulation hours.