The Emirates Flight Training Academy (EFTA) held its second graduation ceremony today, with another 25 cadets successfully completing the Academy’s world-class training programme. This takes the total number of EFTA cadet graduates since the inaugural ceremony last year, to 50.
The graduation ceremony took place earlier today at the Academy in Dubai South. The ceremony was attended by His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman and Chief Executive of Emirates Airline and Group as well as members of Emirates’ senior management team including Adel Al Redha, Chief Operating Officer; Adnan Kazim, Chief Commercial Officer; Abdulaziz Al Ali, Executive Vice President Human Resources; Ali Al Soori, Executive Vice President Chairman’s Office & Facilities/Projects Management; Captain Hassan Al Hammadi, Divisional Senior Vice President Flight Operations; Captain Bader Al Marzooqi, Vice President Flight Training and Captain Nabil Al Boom, National Cadet Pilot Manager at Emirates Flight Training Academy.
Today’s graduation ceremony also hosted esteemed guests from across the UAE aviation community including His Excellency Khalifa Al Zaffin, Executive Chairman of Dubai Aviation City Corporation (DACC); Ibrahim Ahli, Deputy Chief Executive Officer Dubai Air Navigation Services (DANS) and Tahnoon Saif, Chief Executive Officer Mohammed Bin Rashid Aerospace Hub.
The cadets were cheered by their families as they proudly took to the stage to receive their certificates. The ceremony was also live-streamed for families and friends who were unable to physically attend. His Highness Sheikh Ahmed handed the certificates to the successful cadets, who have all completed 1,100 hours of ground-based training and 215 hours of flight instruction (including simulator flying) to obtain their Integrated Air Transport Pilot Licence. The graduates now move on to complete their Type Rating.
Emirates Flight Training Academy is committed to supporting Emirates Airline Emiratization strategy by providing high standard and latest training tools and career development opportunities to local Emirati talent. Today’s ceremony also demonstrates the Academy’s contribution to the UAE aviation sector through cultivating home-grown talent, and helping to meet the sector’s future requirements by training future generations of pilots.
His Highness Sheikh Ahmed commented: “Today we commend the Emirates Flight Training Academy graduates for their hard work and achievements. Their graduation is a proof of their commitment to pursue their career at Emirates.Despite the unprecedented challenges of the pandemic, Emirates Flight Training Academy shows even more resolute in its commitment to contributing to the recovery and growth of both the UAE and the global aviation sector, by helping to mould the next generation of future aviators.”
Captain Abdullah Al Hammadi, Vice President Emirates Flight Training Academy said during the opening speech at the graduation ceremony: “Today is a special day for Emirates Flight Training Academy, as we host the second graduation ceremony, and the first-ever on its grounds. This proud moment allows us the opportunity to contemplate on the Academy’s successful journey so far. The 25 cadets sitting before us today, are a testament to perseverance through adversity. Not only have they completed one of the toughest pilot training programmes in the world, but they have done so with utmost resilience and professionalism. The ceremony will see the 50th cadet graduate, coinciding with the UAE’s year of fiftieth; the golden jubilee. We honour the values and achievements of our founding fathers, as we look forward to setting our ambitions for the next fifty years.”
Mohammad Al Sayegh, cadet graduate, said this during a speech in which he addressed the audience and reiterated the joyous sentiment of all the graduates: “As the years went by, we spent cherished moments between the walls of our classrooms and flying among patches of clouds. It took us numerous sleepless nights, and countless hours of hard work to make it to this day. But we are all here now, we made it. I’d like to thank the Emirates Flight Training Academy for supporting us throughout our journey, and call my fellow graduates to feel proud of themselves, as we look forward to flying our country’s flag up in the skies and around the globe.”
Emirates Flight Training Academy also honoured the highest achievers during the graduation ceremony for their excellent performance across all facets of the training programme.
About Emirates Flight Training Academy:
Located in Dubai South, the Emirates Flight Training Academy was launched by Emirates in 2017 to qualify UAE nationals and international students to become pilots. The Academy combines cutting-edge learning technologies and a modern fleet of 27 training aircraft (Cirrus SR22 G6 single-engine piston aircraft and Embraer Phenom 100EV very light jet aircraft) to train cadets with no previous knowledge of flying.
Cadets are trained using simulators, single and multi-engine aircraft; and are provided with theoretical knowledge of the aviation industry to facilitate their transition into the airline business. The Emirates Flight Training Academy highlights Emirates’ commitment as a global leader in aviation, to train and mentor pilots and meet the future talent requirements of the broader aviation industry as demand gradually recovers.
