EFTA's Record Graduates Build Strong Pilot Pipeline for Aviation

Photo : Dubai Government Media Office

Emirates Flight Training Academy (EFTA) recently held its fifth graduation ceremony, celebrating the biggest group of students in its history. This special event marked an important moment for 85 cadets who completed their training to become pilots. The academy also introduced a new Advanced Diploma in Pilot Licensing Training. This diploma is now available after EFTA was recognized as an Accredited Training Provider by the UAE National Qualifications Centre.

The graduation ceremony was attended by His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, who is the Chairman and Chief Executive of Emirates Airline & Group. He was joined by senior leaders, families, friends of the cadets, and the academy’s teachers and staff. His Highness gave certificates to the graduates and congratulated them for their hard work.

Speaking about the academy’s success, His Highness said, “Our academy was built with a big vision and strong goals. It is amazing to see how far we have come. This recognition shows how much we care about training pilots for the future. EFTA is not only helping the UAE, but it is also training pilots for the world. Seeing young people getting ready for the future of aviation here in Dubai is truly inspiring. Congratulations to the Class of 2024!”

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The graduating class this year included 67 cadets from the UAE and 18 international students. Each cadet spent 113 weeks in training. They completed over 1,100 hours of classroom lessons and 270 hours of flight practice. Since the academy started, 271 students have been trained and graduated as skilled pilots.

The academy also gave special awards to four cadets for their excellent performance. These cadets were Humaid Al Hammadi, Abdulla Raeisi, Alessandro Muffolini, and Sarah Shah. Another cadet, Abdulla Alkaabi, was honored for being the most hardworking.

Captain Abdulla Al Hammadi, who is the Divisional Vice President of EFTA, spoke proudly about the cadets. He said, “Today is not just a graduation day. It is the day many dreams have come true. Our cadets worked very hard and grew so much during their time here. Now they are ready to fly with confidence and skill. Congratulations to all of you!”

EFTA also introduced a new Advanced Diploma in Pilot Licensing Training for its graduates. This diploma gives them a strong academic foundation to go along with their flying skills. It also opens up opportunities for them to study for Bachelor’s or Master’s degrees in universities around the world. Captain Al Hammadi said, “This diploma is an exciting new step for our academy. It helps our graduates prepare for even bigger achievements and supports the UAE’s aviation industry.”

EFTA is also working towards earning European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) accreditation by 2025. This means future graduates will receive both UAE and European licenses, giving them opportunities to work in many countries worldwide.

One of the graduates, Faris Ahmed, shared his feelings about the training. He said, “I was inspired by my father, who loved aviation, and I decided to follow in his footsteps. These years of training have been life-changing. I remember the excitement of my first solo flight and learning every detail in simulators and classrooms. Today, we are ready to begin our careers as professional pilots. This academy has given us the best training and support.”

The Emirates Flight Training Academy is located in Dubai South. It uses advanced technology and has a fleet of 32 modern training aircraft. The academy focuses on turning students into professional pilots, even if they have no prior experience in flying. With its excellent facilities and dedicated staff, EFTA continues to prepare the next generation of pilots for a bright future in aviation. The Class of 2024 is a proud example of this success, ready to start their journeys in the skies.