Fourth class of Emirati cadet pilots begin training

The class, consisting of 11 men and one woman, have started their 18 month training at the Horizon International Flight Academy in Al Ain where they are learning to fly a Cessna 172SP single-engine, high-wing aircraft and Diamond DA40 aircraft.

Etihad currently has 44 Emirati cadet pilots training at Horizon, four of which are female, with the first class of seven cadets on schedule to qualify for their airline transport pilot licence (ATPL) in December 2008.

James Hogan, Etihad Airways' chief executive, said:

"Everyone at Etihad is extremely proud to welcome the fourth class as they start their training. The cadet pilots will benefit from world class international training which will be put to great to use within the flying ranks at Etihad Airways."

Etihad's fourth class of cadet pilots are: Eisa Ahmed Al-Ali, Ali Ahmed Al-Hammadi, Mansoor Mohamed Al-Hammadi, Fahad Mohamed Al-Rumaithi, Ahmed Mohamed Al-Suwaidi, Khalid Rashid Al-Ali, Hamda Jumaa Al-Qubaisi, Hamad Ali bin Ghulaita, Ahmed Abdulwahab Al-Diwani, Abdulrahman Yousuf Al-Usaimi, Zayed Ahmed Al-Tamimi and Hashim Ahmed Al-Hammad.

Mansoor Mohamed Al-Hammadi, a member of Etihad's fourth class of cadet pilots, said: "I am thrilled to join Etihad Airways' Emirati cadet pilot programme and look forward enormously to my training and becoming a fully-qualified pilot. There is a great sense of pride for me to be joining the UAE's national airline."

It has been a momentous year for the first class of cadet pilots who were honoured in May when they were presented with a set of Etihad flying wings following the completion of their first solo flight in the Cessna 172SP.

A fifth class of Emirati cadet pilots is due to join the Etihad programme later this month and a further two classes will start in November 2008 bringing the total number of number of Emirati cadet pilots to 80.

Etihad is also set to launch its first international class with 12 cadet pilots due to commence training in July with another class of 12 following in November 2008. Cadets in both classes have been hand-picked from across the world by Etihad to join the programme.

To complete the Etihad pilot programme, and become a first officer co-pilot on the airline's Airbus A320 fleet of jets, each cadet has to undertake 905 hours in the classroom and 205 hours flying experience in single and multi-engine aircraft as well as Etihad' state-of-the-art flight simulators in Abu Dhabi.

In addition to the cadet pilot programme, Etihad Airways' Emiratisation initiatives focus on two other streams which include the technical engineering development programme and graduate management development programme.

Mr Hogan said: "Etihad continues to build its Emiratisation scheme which by the end of 2008 will boast more than 100 participants across the cadet pilot, management trainee and technical engineering programmes.

"With Etihad's incredible growth set to continue it is crucial that we develop our multi-talented, multi-cultural workforce with strong Emirati representation."