Emirates Engineering Training Centre lands its newest entrant

The landing gear, part of an Airbus A340-300 aircraft, will be used in training and development programmes for ab initio cadets, enabling them to familiarise themselves with the mechanisms of the gear during aircraft take-off and landing. It will add to the centre's existing training in avionics, batteries, looms, airframe systems, engines, welding and structures/composites.

At a presentation ceremony held during the Dubai Air Show 2007, Gilles Bouctot, Chief Executive Officer, Messier Services International handed over the landing gear to Adel Al Redha, Executive Vice President, Engineering and Operations, Emirates Airline. Also present at the ceremony were nearly 50 ab initio cadets.

Adel Al Redha said: "Emirates is grateful to Messier Services for presenting the Engineering Training Centre with this landing gear. I am confident our apprentices will benefit from its availability during workshop training sessions. It is not very often that one sees wide-bodied aircraft landing gears at Engineering Training Schools. Our apprentices will develop a more hands-on understanding of the component through practical exercises such as oil and nitrogen charging, and main landing gear seal change."

He added: "Emirates not only believes in investing in a modern fleet to provide its customers with the best travel experience, but also in training our team of dedicated engineers to achieve the highest standards in aircraft maintenance and safety."

Gilles Bouctot said: "Messier Services and Messier-Dowty are very pleased to provide Emirates Airline with this landing gear; investing into training is a natural part of being a full service MRO provider and enhances the long term partnership with our key customer."

Emirates' Engineering Training Centre offers ab initio training to UAE nationals and expatriate students living in Dubai, as well as type training for all Emirates' Engineering staff. The training school is approved by the UAE's General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) and the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA 147).

Following a three-year apprenticeship in both Airframe & Engines and Avionics Engineering courses, graduates undergo 24 months of on-the-job training at the Emirates Engineering Centre, under supervision. This is in preparation for their final examination by the GCAA for licensing accreditation, to become internationally-recognised Licensed Aircraft Engineers.

See all Dubai Airshow news