Emirates announces Emirates Flight Training Academy

The Academy will incorporate its own Flight Training Organisation (FTO) which will allow Emirates, for the first time, to train its UAE National Cadet Pilots in Dubai.

"The aviation industry is growing at a phenomenal rate and a critical element in this growth is trained pilots. As well as training our own UAE National Cadets the Academy will have the capacity to train a large number of ab-initio pilots from other carriers and will set the benchmark for training excellence in the region," said Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al-Maktoum, Chairman and Chief Executive, Emirates airline and Group.

Construction on the Academy is scheduled to start in the first quarter of 2012 with completion targeted for the third quarter of 2013. The fully integrated facility will comprise of classrooms, student accommodation, ground based simulators and flight training.

Emirates is working closely with industry leaders to ensure the facility is equipped with state-of-the-art equipment and trainers, in order to meet worldwide aviation training best practice.

"As an industry leader it is incredibly important to us that the cadets trained at our facility meet the high standard set by the industry. Emirates has a strong relationship with our current cadet training providers, however we feel the time is right to introduce our own Cadet Pilot Training facility. The Middle East has become a major international hub for aviation and this Dubai based training centre will play an important role in fueling the region's pilot requirements," added Sheikh Ahmed.

Components of the course will include an aviation foundation course and Airline Transport Pilot License module, in addition to flying training aircraft.

Students who successfully complete the intense three year course will be awarded a Commercial Pilot License on graduation and will be ready to commence specific aircraft type training.