DUBAI- Emirates Flight Training Academy (EFTA) celebrated its fifth graduation ceremony today (December 18, 2024), marking the academy’s largest cohort to date and a key milestone in aviation education.
The ceremony coincided with the launch of an Advanced Diploma in Pilot Licensing Training (Aeroplane), which followed the academy’s accreditation as a Training Provider by the UAE National Qualifications Centre.
Emirates Pilots Graduation Ceremony
His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman and CEO of Emirates Airline and Group, presided over the ceremony and presented certificates to the graduating cadets. The occasion brought together the organization’s top leadership, graduates, their families, academy teachers, and current cadets.
Sheikh Ahmed delivered a strong lecture emphasizing the academy’s strategic direction and transformative impact on aviation education. “EFTA was built on a clear vision and robust strategy,” he told me.
Our journey has been nothing short of inspiring, and the NQC recognition validates our commitment to developing future-ready aviation professionals.”
The academy’s purpose goes beyond local training to establish itself as a crucial incubator for global aviation talent. Sheikh Ahmed emphasized the institution’s significance in ensuring a consistent supply of experienced pilots, not just for the UAE but also for the global aviation industry.
We are empowering young adults to drive the future of aviation right here in Dubai.”
85 Cadets Graduated
The Emirates Flight Training Academy (EFTA) celebrated the graduation of 85 cadets, marking an important milestone in aviation training.
The cohort includes 67 UAE nationals and 18 international students, increasing the total number of EFTA graduates since its start to 271 professionally prepared pilots.
The academy honored four top-performing cadets: Humaid Al Hammadi, Abdulla Raeisi, Alessandro Muffolini, and Sarah Shah, with Abdulla Alkaabi earning particular appreciation for exceptional dedication.
These grads went from being school dropouts with no prior flying experience to becoming world-class professional pilots after extensive ground and aerial training.
Captain Abdullah Al Hammadi, Divisional Vice President of Emirates Flight Training Academy, emphasized the significance of the moment.
This graduation represents more than a ceremony—it embodies the fulfillment of collective dreams.”
The cadets have exhibited excellent ability and readiness to enter the aviation business.
EFTA introduced the Advanced Diploma in Pilot Licensing Training, which is intended to give graduates with a solid academic background. The program seeks to supplement the practical skills acquired during training, hence strengthening the UAE’s aviation education ecosystem.
The new diploma will be available to all EFTA graduates, furthering the General Civil Aviation Authority’s (GCAA) goals and reinforcing the academy’s dedication to creating skilled aviators. By integrating rigorous theoretical education with practical training, EFTA continues to position itself as a leader in pilot education.
New Diploma Program
EFTA has announced an Advanced Diploma curriculum that offers cadets 94 credit hours, with potential paths to Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees at universities throughout the world.
The academy’s most recent graduating class marks a significant milestone in aviation education, as each student completed an arduous 113-week training program.
The training program includes more than 1,100 hours of ground-based teaching and 270 hours of flying training, with a contemporary fleet of 32 instructional aircraft situated in Dubai South.
EFTA’s novel technique transforms students with no prior flying experience into professionally qualified pilots using modern learning technology.
A significant accomplishment for 2024 is the academy’s work toward European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) certification, which is expected in early 2025.
This initiative will allow graduates to get dual licensing from the General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) and the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), significantly boosting pilots’ global job options.
Cadet Faris Ahmed, speaking on behalf of the Class of 2024, told a personal story of inspiration and development.
My father’s passion for aviation motivated my journey. These years have been life-changing, characterized by intense training, unwavering support, and the formation of lifelong bonds.”
Ahmed emphasized the complete quality of their instruction, citing painstaking preparation that includes considerable simulator and classroom work.
We mastered every minute detail. The thrill of our first solo flight and initial flight deck experience were pivotal moments in our professional development.”
