Inaugural class of Emirati cadet pilots begin training

The 12 cadet pilots were chosen by Etihad following extensive assessments during April and May which included comprehensive personality and English language tests as well as aptitude and medical examinations.

James Hogan, Etihad Airways' chief executive, said:

"This is a momentous occasion in Etihad Airways' short history as we celebrate our first intake of UAE national cadet pilots. With Etihad's incredible growth set to continue it is crucial that we develop further our Emiratisation scheme across all divisions of the airline."

A further 21 applicants are currently undertaking a foundation course in subjects such as physics, maths and English in order to achieve the required standard to join the Etihad programme at Horizon.

Captain Ismail Al Rais, head of the Etihad cadet pilot programme, added: "It is a great achievement for the new Emirati cadet pilots, and I look forward to working closely with them during the next few years as they train to become fully-qualified pilots with Etihad Airways. These young Emirati cadets are a core part of Etihad's future."

The 12 cadet pilots were chosen from more than 500 applicants who took part in initial assessments at Abu Dhabi's Officer's Club in April.

Muhammad Al Maisari, a 23 year-old Etihad cadet pilot from Abu Dhabi, said: "I am extremely proud to be joining Etihad Airways in its first-ever in-take of Emirati pilots. I look forward to completing my training and becoming a fully-qualified pilot for the UAE's national airline."

To complete the Etihad pilot programme, and become a first officer (co-pilot), pilot cadets will have to accrue 930 hours in the classroom and 205 hours flying experience which includes single and multi engine aircraft.

Mohammed Humaidan Al Zaabi, general manager of Horizon International Flight Academy, said: "Horizons' state of the art facilities include multi media equipped classrooms, flight simulator and a dedicated maintenance department which will be perfect for the new Etihad cadet pilots."

The programme will continue to operate throughout the year with new intakes of cadet pilots joining the scheme at Horizon every three months and the airline will announce details of assessment days in national media and other outlets.

In order to make the programme as accessible as possible for UAE nationals, the maximum entry age for cadet pilots will remain at 30 years-old rather than the usual of 24 years-old.

The students are Khalid Abdul Ghani Al-Maharbi, Ebrahim Hasan Ebrahim, Abdullah Mohammed Al-Afifi, Waleed Abdulla Al-Maysari, Ahmed Yousef Othman, Muhannad Haitham Al-Maisari, Abdulla Saeed Al-Otaiba, Mohamed Saad Al-Menhali, Tariq Ibrahim Al-Ahmedi, Mohamed Khalifa Al-Falasi and Ayman Abdulla Bin Jathnan.