Emirates has announced plans to establish Emirates Flight Training Academy, a dedicated flight training centre that will be located at Dubai World Central Airport.

The Dubai-based carrier is investing AED400 million in the development of the facility, which will have the capacity to train up to 400 students at one time.

The Academy will incorporate its own Flight Training Organisation 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,” said Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al-Maktoum, chairman and chief executive, Emirates.

“As well as training our own UAE National Cadets the Academy will have the capacity to train a large number of pilots from other carriers and will set the benchmark for training excellence in the region.”

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.
 
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.