The Emirates Flight Training Academy (EFTA) has graduated its largest batch of pilots yet, with 58 new cadets completing the world-class training program. The academy, which was launched by Emirates in 2017, aims to produce high-quality and skilled pilots for the aviation industry, especially for the UAE market.
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The graduation ceremony took place this month at the Academy in Dubai South. The ceremony was attended by His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman and Chief Executive of Emirates Airline and Group, as well as members of Emirates' senior management team. The ceremony also featured esteemed guests from across the UAE aviation community, including His Excellency Khalifa Al Zaffin, Executive Chairman of Dubai Aviation City Corporation (DACC); Ibrahim Ahli, Deputy Chief Executive Officer of Dubai Air Navigation Services (DANS) and Tahnoon Saif, Chief Executive Officer Mohammed Bin Rashid Aerospace Hub. The new graduates have successfully completed 1,100 hours of ground-based training and 215 hours of flight instruction (including simulator flying) to obtain their Integrated Air Transport Pilot License. They will now move on to complete their Type Rating with Emirates or other airlines. The graduates come from diverse backgrounds and nationalities, with 23 nationalities and 27 women represented in the current batch.
The academy offers a comprehensive and rigorous training program that covers all aspects of aviation piloting, such as aerodynamics, meteorology, navigation, regulations, procedures, systems, and operations. The academy also provides career development opportunities and support services to its cadets throughout their training journey. The academy has a modern fleet of 29 training aircraft – 22 x Cirrus SR22 G6 single-engine piston; 4 x Embraer Phenom 100EV very light jet; and 3 x Diamond DA42-VI light piston twin-engine aircraft program. The academy also integrates three brand-new Diamond aircraft into its training programme to meet the growing demand for pilots.
The academy's vision is to be a leading provider of pilot training in the region and beyond, contributing to the development of the aviation industry and supporting Emirates' Emiratization strategy. The academy also aims to foster a culture of excellence, innovation, and teamwork among its cadets and instructors. EFTA's latest graduation ceremony demonstrates the academy's commitment to nurturing home-grown talent and meeting the future requirements of the aviation sector. With increased salaries, career growth opportunities, sophisticated aircraft, and rising demand for travel, aviation has become a sought-after career choice for many young people. EFTA hopes that its graduates will inspire more aspiring pilots to join them in their journey towards becoming professional aviators.
