Horizon Academy providing excellent training facilities

Prince Sultan toured the Horizon facilities with Mohammed Humaidan Al Zaabi, Horizon General Manager, and praised its high standards. Prince Sultan had told the general manager that he would like to continue these discussions during the Dubai Air Show.

“Saudi interest in Horizon activities continues to grow,” said Al Zaabi.

Horizon International Flight Academy recently took part in the second Dubai Air Show.

Al Zaabi said that during these two years, Horizon had consolidated itself as an excellent helicopter school following European Joint Aviation Requirement (JAR) syllabus, making it the only school of its kind in this part of the world.

As many as 42 pilots from two courses have graduated from Horizon, according to the UAE General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) Commercial Pilot Licence (CPL H). One more batch of 23 pilots will graduate in less than a month. Horizon has also prepared experienced pilots to become flight instructors. Three such batches have already graduated and the fourth one has started its session. Horizon also taught experienced Saudi pilots to become ground instructors.

The graduates included pilots from Qatar, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia as well UAE Air Force, UAE Army, UAE Navy, and UAE Special Operations Centre.

“New courses have started with students from Bahrain and UAE for basic CPL H and Flight Instructor Course,” he said.

The Commander of the Kuwait Air Force recently received a Horizon delegation and showed keen interest in its training activities. Horizon is quite confident of receiving students from Kuwait and Oman.

Horizon has realised during its very short span that the aviation industry in the Middle East is rapidly changing. He highlighted that the demand for fixed wing pilots is enormous.

Recently, Shaikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of Dubai Department of Civil Aviation and Chairman of Emirates Group, had said that Emirates needs 4,000 pilots. Horizon had decided to take up this challenge and embarked upon starting a Fixed Wing Training Programme from the year 2006.

Shaikh Ahmed bin Saif Al Nahyan, Chairman of Etihad, patronised this programme. Negotiations are in the final stages to start the cadet pilot programme of Etihad at Horizon.

Horizon sees a great future ahead of it. Its plans are fully supported by Mubadala and its Board of Directors.