What’s New

Etihad Airways announced on 18 May that it is establishing the Etihad Flight College, a flight training facility in the United Arab Emirates for Emirati and international cadet pilots.

As a first step in establishing this college, Etihad Airways is in the process of acquiring the fixed wing training division from Horizon International Flight Academy (Horizon), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Mubadala Development Company.

Based in Al Ain, Horizon has provided helicopter (rotary wing) training programs since 2003, and airplane (fixed wing) training since 2007. At Horizon, pilots can qualify for their Private Pilot’s Licence (PPL), Commercial Pilot’s Licence (CPL) or Airline Transport Pilot Licence (ATPL).

Horizon currently has 210 trainees enrolled in its aviation training programs and has been the selected training provider for Etihad Airways’ cadet pilots for the last seven years. 

Subject to regulatory approval, Horizon’s fixed wing division will be acquired by Etihad Flight College, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Etihad Airways. The remaining rotary wing division will be Horizon’s key area of focus with plans to consolidate and continue to grow the business.

The assets to be acquired include 13 Cessna 172SP Skyhawk aircraft, three Diamond DA42NG aircraft, two flight training simulators and Horizon’s hangar facilities at Al Ain International Airport.

All fixed wing flight instructors and some support staff currently employed by Horizon will transfer to the Etihad Flight College ensuring there is no disruption to the ongoing cadet pilot training programs.
Etihad Flight College will also implement the innovative Multi-Crew Pilot Licence (MPL), a competency-based training program that is focussed on developing cadet pilot candidates into high quality First Officers on completion of their training.

The MPL training program, the first airline-dedicated professional pilot licence adopted by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), the European Aviation Safety Authority (EASA), and the UAE General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), will be developed and delivered by Etihad Airways’ Operations team. To-date around 250 graduates have already registered for the MPL course, with the first course scheduled to commence later in 2014.
Etihad Flight College will be the first organisation in the world to use multi-engine aircraft in the core phase of its MPL training program. Cadet pilots will benefit from the utilisation of advanced aircraft and simulation training throughout the program in a multi-crew setting - where two pilots conduct operations that are focused on the safe and efficient operation of an aircraft, as opposed to the traditional single-pilot model that is prevalent in the industry today.

Source: Etihad Airways