Dubai, United Arab Emirates — Two recently delivered Gamebird GB1 aircraft, performing loops above Emirates Flight Training Academy’s (EFTA) skies, have further diversified and expanded the academy’s fleet, setting new standards of training excellence.

With 30 Cirrus, Phenom and Diamond aircraft in its fleet, EFTA is now training cadets on four distinct aircraft types – a rarity in aviation training – before they graduate from the academy.

The new Gamebirds are the academy’s first aerobatic aircraft specially designed for upset prevention and recovery training (UPRT)*. They provide exceptional control and responsiveness, meeting the rigorous demands of cadet training and high performance flying.

Cadet pilots can now confidently complete 5 hours of UPRT and manage training scenarios with versatility and the aircraft’s cutting-edge technology.

Captain Abdulla Al Hammadi, Divisional Vice President, EFTA said: “We have remained steadfast and true to our vision – to be at the forefront of aviation training as it’s pivotal in shaping Emirates’ and the industry’s future. We’ve adopted a game-changing approach with our training: equip our cadets with the latest tools and technology, recalibrate regularly to prepare for future challenges, and ensure there are zero gaps. We are committed to ensuring our cadets are fully prepared and can contribute in their aviation careers from day one. The Gamebird has elevated our curriculum and will ensure our graduates are equipped with the skills and confidence to excel.”

Engineered to maximise operational efficiency, the Gamebird offers an impressive endurance of up to 7 hours and 30 minutes, with 1.5 hours aerobatic manoeuvring and high performance capabilities.

EFTA recently graduated 85 cadets and its current cohort of over 330 come from 26 diverse nationalities.

*Upset Prevention and Recovery Training: a combination of theoretical and practical training given to aircraft pilots to prevent, recognise and recover from unusual and unexpected situations.

About Emirates Flight Training Academy
Located in DWC, EFTA was launched by Emirates in 2017, initially to train UAE nationals, and later international students. The Academy combines cutting-edge learning technologies and a modern fleet of 32 training aircraft to train cadets with no previous knowledge of flying. EFTA’s fleet has 32 aircraft: 20 x Cirrus SR22 G6 single-engine piston, 5 x Diamond DA42NG multi-engine piston, 2 x Gamebird GB1 and 5 x Embraer Phenom 100EV very light jets. EFTA’s state-of-the-art facility, which is equal to 200 football fields, boasts 36 modern classrooms, six 6-axis full-motion flight simulators, an independent Air Traffic Control Tower, and a dedicated 1,800m runway with its own Instrument Landing System. The Academy has graduated 273 students since 2020 with a significant majority now flying as First Officers with Emirates.

Source: Emirates Flight Training Academy
Photo Credit: Emirates Flight Training Academy