Two UAE women cadet pilots fly into aviation record book

ABU DHABI - Two Emirati female cadet pilots have attained a prestigious place in aviation history as they have been included in a book printed in the UK about the world’s greatest women aviators, according to an Etihad Airways Press release yesterday.

By A Staff Reporter

Published: Tue 29 Jul 2008, 1:54 AM

Last updated: Sun 5 Apr 2015, 6:18 PM

Etihad Airways cadet pilots, Salma Mohammed Al Baloushi from Al Ain and Aisha Hassan Salim Al Mansouri from Khor Fakkan, are mentioned in the book, ‘The 100 greatest women in aviation', which was launched earlier this month at the Farnborough International Airshow, UK, as the female aviators of the future who are making their own name in flying .

Aisha and Salma were guests of honour at the launch of the book which marks a century since the first women took to the skies.

Author of the book Liz Moscrop said, “This book offers readers a guide from the very first female pilots through to aspiring present day pioneers like Salma and Aisha from Etihad airways cadet pilot programme.

“These two young Emirati women have made history for themselves by becoming Etihad s first ever female cadet pilots and we wish them all the very best as we enter the second century of women in flight.”

Salma and Aisha began their initial flight training at the Horizon International Flight Academy in September 2007 and are on course to graduate in April 2009. They, alongside 10 colleagues, make up one of four classes of Emirati cadet pilots currently training in Al Ain.

“ To be featured alongside the ‘100 greatest women aviators’ in the book is a very proud moment for me. It was already a great achievement to join Etihad airways as one of its first female Emirati cadet pilots, but to gain global recognition like this will stay with me forever,” said Salma.

“My sister is a pilot with the UAE armed forces and so female aviators throughout history have always played an important part in my life,” said Aisha adding that her “inclusion in this book is a great inspiration and I look forward to flying the flag for female Emirati pilots across the world with Etihad.

Etihad currently has 44 Emirati cadet pilots training at Horizon, four of which are female, with the first class of seven cadets on schedule to qualify for their airline transport pilot licence (ATPL) in December 2008.