Emirates has revealed artist renderings of its Emirates Flight Training Academy, which will showcase the industry’s most advanced approach to pilot training; meeting the cadet’s requirements in a fully-integrated facility.

The academy which is to be located at Dubai World Central Airport, will act as the dedicated training centre for Emirates’ prestigious National Cadet Pilot Programme, a statement from the airline company said.

The Dh500 million ($136.1 million) investment by Emirates in the centre will cover the construction of the facilities, maintenance equipment, training aircraft and simulators to ensure it is state-of-the art.

With the capacity to train up to 400 students at a time, the facility will bring together the four key components of pilot training - ground school classrooms; ab initio flight training, ground-based simulators; and modern accommodation with recreational facilities.

“The aviation industry is growing at an exponential rate and the need for professional pilots is crucial. Emirates is committed to meeting that demand through training our own UAE National Cadets at the state-of-the-art Emirates Flight Academy,” said Adel Al Redha, Emirates executive vice-president of engineering and operations.

“Emirates has long been the catalyst for establishing Dubai as an international centre of aviation. With the predicted need for thousands of commercial pilots over the next decade, the launch of the Emirates Flight Academy is another example of Emirates’ leading position and commitment to the future of aviation in the UAE.”

“The airline has been working closely with industry leaders and designers to ensure the facility is equipped with state-of-the-art equipment and trainers,” he said. “For example, Emirates has engaged the UAE’s General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) on approval for course syllabus authorities and the airside operations will be managed by Dubai Airports; such as the control tower and runway which will support the academy.

 In addition to meeting worldwide aviation training best practice, the academy will also feature all amenities and recreational facilities needed to accommodate cadets during their five-day a week instruction. Cadets will be able to supplement their studies with an on-site gymnasium, football pitch, tennis courts and a mosque.

“Emirates is known for leading the development of Dubai into a prominent global aviation hub,” said Ashok Korgaonkar, managing director of Archgroup Consultants. “Just as the airline operates a hub-and-spoke network, linking the world via Dubai, we translated this concept into the design of the flight academy. As the cadets progress in their studies at the center, so too shall they expand from the academy – into flight training above the academy and then across Emirates’ world-wide network.”

Construction, subject to regulatory approval, is scheduled to start in early 2013 with completion targeted for 2014, the statement said. In the future, the Academy will have the capacity to train a large number of ab-initio pilots from other carriers once it is operational for the Emirates cadets; setting the benchmark for training excellence in the region. – TradeArabia News Service