Emirates expands flight training academy’s aircraft fleet

The Emirates Flight Training Academy (EFTA) keeps up with its promise to provide cutting-edge technology and cutting-edge aircraft to train future pilots and assist reduce the skills gap in the industry. The Academy has placed an order for three twin-engine DA42-VI aircraft from Diamond Aircraft Industries, a top general aviation aircraft manufacturer based in Austria, to add to its current fleet. Each aircraft will come with a corresponding flight simulator. In list pricing, the overall transaction is worth 4 million euros.

The multi-engine piston (MEP) training at EFTA is expected to begin with the AUSTRO jet-fuel powered DA42-VI aircraft serving as the flagship.

Capt Abdulla Al Hammadi, Vice President Emirates Flight Training Academy, said: “Our new fleet from Diamond Aircraft is part of our larger strategic intent for our cadet programme. It helps us design a bridging MEP programme for cadets to gain more flying experience while progressing from a single engine to a light jet aircraft. It strengthens our offering and makes it more unique, rounded and robust. Our cadets will benefit hugely as they gain experience on three different types of aircraft, even before they’re licensed. The new fleet also helps us go above and beyond on complying with the new GCAA guidelines. The DA42-VI is reliable, eco-friendly and a practical platform for MEP training. We’re confident we’ve made the right choice.”

“We are thrilled that our DA42-VI is the choice for Emirates’ flight training. This, once again, solidifies the aircraft’s position as the industry leading multi-engine piston trainer,” said Liqun (Frank) Zhang, CEO Diamond Aircraft Austria. “With Emirates we are adding another premier flight academy to our long list of renowned training operators and are looking forward to support them with the most advanced and eco-friendly aircraft available on the market today.”

The newest iteration of Diamond’s technologically advanced light piston twin-engine aircraft is the 4-seat DA42-VI. It combines a modern airframe, avionics, and power plants to become the first certified general aviation piston aircraft.

The jet fuel-powered DA42-VI is intended to simplify the switch from a single to a twin engine by offering a special blend of performance and usefulness. Comparing the aircraft to traditional AVGAS-powered twins, fuel savings of up to 50% are possible. Moreover, the panoramic canopy of the aircraft offers great sight throughout all flying maneuvers.

Around 1,100 DA42 aircraft have been delivered since its debut, outselling all other certified piston twins combined. The 168 horsepower AUSTRO AE300 jet fuel engines, the Garmin G1000 NXi with 3-axis Automatic Flight Control System, and optional electrically operated air conditioning are all standard on the all-composite DA42-VI.

With all three scheduled to be delivered to EFTA in the first half of 2023, delivery of aircraft is anticipated to begin soon. Since 2020, more than 100 cadets have graduated successfully from EFTA, building a robust pipeline for pilot hiring for Emirates and the sector.