In a deal worth €4 million, UAE-based Emirates Flight Training Academy (EFTA) said that it has ordered three twin-engine DA42-VI aircraft and its corresponding flight simulator from Diamond Aircraft Industries.

The four-seat DA42-VI is the newest version of the Austrian-based aircraft manufacturer. The light piston twin-engine aircraft, says Emirates, is “the first certified general aviation piston aircraft to combine modern technology airframe, avionics, and power plants.”

The AUSTRO jet-fuel powered DA42-VI aircraft will be the flagship of multi-engine piston (MEP) training aircraft at EFTA.

Emirates said that the aircraft delivery will commence soon, with all three slated to be received by EFTA in the first half of this year itself.

The DA42-VI is designed to make transitioning from single to twin engine much easier. The aircraft also reportedly generates fuel savings of up to 50 per cent compared to conventional AVGAS powered twins, and its panoramic canopy provides good visibility during all flight manoeuvres. Since its introduction, more than 1,100 DA42 aircraft have been delivered.

Liqun Frank Zhang, CEO Diamond Aircraft Austria, said, “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.”

Capt Abdulla Al Hammadi, vice president Emirates Flight Training Academy, added, “Our new fleet from Diamond Aircraft is part of our larger strategic intent for our cadet programme. Our cadets will benefit hugely as they gain experience on three different types of aircraft, even before they’re licenced.”

Over a 100 cadets have successfully graduated from EFTA since 2020.

Emirates to invest US$135 million in new pilot training centre in Dubai

Last month, Emirates said that it would commence building a state-of-the-art US$135 million pilot training facility in Dubai. Located adjacent to the existing Emirates Training Facilities, the new 63,318 sq ft centre is slated to open in March 2024. The new facility will accommodate six Full Flight Simulator Bays (FFS) for the airline’s future Airbus A350 and Boeing 777X aircraft. The airline noted that it expects training of its first batch of A350 pilots to commence in June 2024.

emiratesflighttrainingacademy.com