Licensing course for commercial airline pilots set for launch by aviation college

Those who dream of a career as an airline pilot need no longer leave the UAE to earn a licence.

The Emirates Aviation College is the first institute in the UAE to conduct a licensing course for pilots wishing to pursue a career in commercial aviation.

The ground training course, which runs for 13 weeks, is for the Airline Transport Pilot Licence known as a frozen ATPL.

Authorised by the General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA-UAE), the college is conducting the course in collaboration with US-based Jeppesen Academy. Holders of a commercial pilot's licence who meet the minimum flying requirements can register for the ATPL course.

Emirates airline's cadet pilots graduating from BAE Systems Flight Training in the Australian city of Adelaide will now be able to take the course at the college, enabling them to fly as first officers.

"The college has made a great effort in fulfilling the GCAA requirements and procedures for authorisation for this course, which exceeds current standards available in terms of syllabus and instructors," said Mohammad Al Budoor, principal of the college's aero-space and academic wing.

"I am very pleased that we can now offer this course to not only our own cadets, but also holders of commercial pilot licences throughout the region and give them the opportunity to fly with a commercial airline."

The college holds the exclusive rights to offer the ATPL course to third parties in the GCC as well as in North Africa and the subcontinent.