Emirates Flight Training Academy (EFTA) has recently added the Diamond DA42-VI to its growing fleet.
The addition means EFTA students can now embark on multi-engine piston (MEP) courses, with graduates now clocking up hours in three different aircraft types during their time at EFTA. The wider fleet comprises Cirrus single-engine piston and Embraer Phenom jet aircraft.
The newly acquired aircraft, boasting a flying range of 1,225 nautical miles and painted in Emirates’ livery, embarked on a grand journey from Vienna, Austria to Dubai. EFTA’s instructor pilots made memorable pit stops in Heraklion, Crete, and Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt along the way, an experience that was captured in a travelogue video released by EFTA, below.
Captain Abdulla Al Hammadi, Vice President Emirates Flight Training Academy, underscored the importance of continuous innovation in cadet programs. “We aim to consistently enhance our training ecosystem with cutting-edge tools, technology, and infrastructure,” he said. He added that the new Diamond aircraft “fit perfectly” between the academy’s single-engine aircraft and very light jets, promising a more diverse and robust learning experience for the cadets.
Liqun (Frank) Zhang, CEO of Diamond Aircraft Austria, expressed pride in being part of Emirates’ history and lauded their vision for integrating the latest technologies for the next generation of airline pilots.
The order for the three Diamond DA42-VI aircraft and a corresponding flight simulator, worth EUR 4 million at list prices, was placed in March this year. The simulator is expected to be delivered next, with cadet training on the Diamond aircraft slated to begin in the coming months.
For more information on EFTA, click here.
