Dubai: Etihad Flight College, the Al Ain-based flight training school wholly-owned by Etihad Airways, has signed a purchase agreement to buy four Embraer Phenom 100E aircraft with options for an additional three of the same aircraft.
The deal, including options, is valued at almost $30 million (Dh110 million) and the first aircraft will be delivered to Etihad Flight College at the start of the first quarter next year, according to an emailed statement from Etihad Airways on Tuesday.
The four Embraer Phenom 100Es, which, after all four are delivered, brought the Etihad Flight College trainer fleet to 20 aircraft, are to be used at the college for the training of Emirat and international pilot cadets.
Richard Hill, Etihad Airways Chief Operations Officer, stated the Embraer Phenom 100E is “an ideal initial training platform to prepare our cadets for line operations”.
Etihad Flight College was established last year when Etihad purchased the fixed wing business of Horizon International Flight Academy from Mubadala Development Company. The college trains up to 120 cadets, Etihad said.
The Phenom 100E is an entry level jet, according to the Embraer website. It is typically used as a private jet and by some militaries to transport VIPs.
The Etihad Flight College trainer fleet also includes 10 Cessna 172SP Skyhawk and six Diamond DA42NG aircraft.
