Horizon Flying Academy, Uae

[xavier95]

I see in flight magazine that Horizon are looking for instructors again, after lots left. Has things improved over there in Al Ain, or are they still not good? Is the man that no-one likes still in charge?

[206av8]

From what I hear, things are getting progressively worse if anything. Same guy in charge, good place to steer clear of.

[six_degrees]

Can anyone explain what the actual problem with it is? I'm looking into it and trying to find some background info...

[helopat]

Just spoke to a friend of mine who (until recently) worked for them...he's gone now because of (as I recall) the director of ops who was a non pilot pain in the ice hole. Reason I contacted him is to get some low down on the flying etc. He said the flying was alright, but didn't balance against the management issues...he's since gone to another company over there flying 212/412.

Despite his advice I sent a resume to Horizon. Sent another email to Horizon to check on whether they'd received the resume. The following is an excerpt from a subsequent email from my friend over there who'd just spoken to the Ops Mgr on the phone:

HORIZON DUDE: Why does this guy keep emailing me and sending resumes?
FRIEND: He's interested in coming to work for you.
HORIZON DUDE: Tell him to contact me.
FRIEND: I believe he already has (by email).

Sheeeesh! Horizon Dude isn't the brightest bulb in the box, is he? Opinions?

Apparently, apart from the Jet Ranger instruction they are starting some fixed wing training on 182's.

HP

[Heli-Ice]

Heh... This reminds me...

I heard that some companies and institutions use a special pre-employment screening test. The test is somewhat like this:

You light up a candle, hold it up against one of Mr. Bloggs ears and blow into the other. If the candle goes out the guy gets the job!

Horizon dude must have had taken it. :}

[Cheesaburger]

The problem with Horizon is Mohammed Al Zaabi. If he is still involved, leave it alone.

[LeakyLucy]

anyone know anything about these guys for rotary training?
http://www.horizonuae.ae/training.php

[expatron]

Horizon is a flight school located in Al-Ain almost 100 miles away from Abu Dhabi, they use 206s to train pilots (mostly locals) to feed military and now ADA, I have heard the salary is not so good but is a good chance for low time IPs.
Cheers:ok:

[r44driver]

LeakyLucy,
Are you asking as a potential student or employee?

[sani]

HI:D
Can any one guide me about the requiements for horizon flying academy as an rotory instructor i.e experience, flying qualification, any special reqiurement for type rating etc and their pay package?

How is the working envoinament there? Any expat limitation for work over there? any other information if any one have?

Thanks in anticipation:ugh::ugh::ugh:

[tophelios]

Hi Sani

Check your PM...

[helipeek]

Does anyone know what the Horizon InternationalFlightAcademy in the UAE is like to work for? Pay rates conditions etc?

[WylieCoyote]

If he's paying attention fluffy5 can answer your questions.

[helipeek]

Many thanks for that. Fluffy makes it sound quite good, just waiting for an interveiw and we'll see what happens.

[helipeek]

Thanks fluffy, just waiting for a telephone interview from them. What does pm mean - not to good with this technology thingy.

[Brilliant Stuff]

pm = private message

it's an internal email on this forum you will find them top right hand corner

[expatron]

:ugh:I ve heard the job sucks :uhoh:

[Camp Freddie]

I have heard from a direct source that if you do the work that is asked of you i.e. turn up every day on time, fly with the students in a professional manner, dont rock the boat, keep your head down etc, that it is ok.

with the exchange rate how it is now the pay is substantially higher (in £'s) as you are paid in dirhams which is linked to dollar allegedly.

regards

CF

[murdock]

I still keep seeing ads for this job from a recruiter's site, and I had sent my CV to Horizon directly, but I guess didnt make the cut since I have heard nothing back. Thought I was in with a good chance since I had plenty more than the requirements. Anyone know if they are still looking for people, or is the decline in Dubai gonna be affecting it all. The HR lady there had told me they were looking for new pilots and instructors in the first quarter.

[ralphmalph]

Incoherent Post.....??

[1under2over]

Ralph,

Think I know who you are, looks like the incoherent rant has been removed.
PM me if you have Ginger hair!

1under2over

[helipeek]

Can anyone let me know what Horizon Flight Academy is like to work for and what their pay rates are like.
Any info would be gratefully received.

[Thomas coupling]

Helipeek: Same question asked...4 years later? :E
Are you trawling for feedback my friend.
Look at yourself in the mirror and ask the question again :suspect:

[fluffy5]

Horizon flight academy is a great place to work, And so I have heard they are looking for instructors as they have a lot of work coming their way. So you need quite a bit of B206 or single engine instruction time, civilian licence so they have something to convert, but they like ex military guys. The place where they are is Al Ain airport which is a really great place lots of stuff to do, even though it gets quite hot in the summer you don't fly in the hottest part of the day, and I think they are going to get air con in their aircraft. Really nice place to fly around and instruct, airspace no problem's really professional guys and early in the morning it is a wonderful sight over the desert in the morning. The military courses they run have the most hand picked and rigorously selected students that are highly motivated. Also I heard that the instructors get paid a large tax free salary which will equate to about £5000 including housing, and that renting is no problem because you are well protected with the country's strict rental laws, also you will need a car maybe quite a large one such as a 4x4, so on the days of you can take it up and down the dunes like the locals do, now that is great fun.
Yep horizon so I have heard is probably the best place to work as an instructor in the middle east.

Fluffy

[Thomas coupling]

Fluffy,
do you work for horizon too? Al Ain is not a nice place - believe me, it is run down and dull, dull,dull. There are numerous flashy expensive hotels dotted around in the middle of what is a desert oasis - dust and more dust. Shacks and sheds and dust and ...dull. Nothing for a 100 miles radius but desert.
The mil ab initio's - don't start me on that..........:zzz:

[Camp Freddie]

TC,

I think fluffy was employing some irony !

[500e]

Yep I think Fluffy is over egging the thing TC

[helipeek]

TC,

Just looking for an honest update on things out there as I might be in a position to go and give it a try.
I got a better offer four years ago so didn't take it any further.
You do sound quite negative about the place and company, perhaps due to a bad experience?
As I said just trying to get an honest opinion of someone who may have been there recently.

HP

[vfr440]

Yes, but read your contract VERY carefully indeed. And bear in mind that the original will be in Arabic, and you have a translation/transliteration, which might seem unimportant. When the chips are down and you want to leave the difference could be very significant indeed. Been there, done that.......... hat and coat then _ VFR

[neffets]

Does anyone know how much time it takes for them to get back to you after having submitted their long list of legal documents and forms?

[MartinCh]

When the chips are down and you want to leave the difference could be very significant indeed. Been there, done that.......... hat and coat then _ VFR

Why would someone sign contract written in language one does not understand?
Why would there be any differences in English translation with reputable company?

[Gulfstreamaviator]

Contracts are written in sand......

Does not matter if Arabic, English or Double Dutch.

You have no job security...upset a local....hat and coat...... do not forget passport.

Having said that, the UAE is a fun place to live and work, Al Ain is getting more facilities, a supermarket for example... about 1 hour drive in your 4 wheeler to Dubai and its pleasure zones.

Go with open mind, and you might be pleasantly surprised, but DO NOT sell up at home, cos you might just need it sooner than you planned.

Enjoy...glf

ps Horizon is well funded, and as stable and secure as any government back operation in UAE.

[itk]

Why would someone sign contract written in language one does not understand?
This is quite common in the Middle East.
If you don't sign it then you don't get the job. It is as simple as that.
Their country, their language, their rules.

Why would there be any differences in English translation with reputable company?
How do you find a reputable company when you have never been to that country before?
I know of a number of people across various industries who have been stung by the "translation error" routine. Often, there is no western-style legal recourse and you have no option but to just 'suck it up'... again - their country, their language, their rules.

There are exceptions, but as a general rule: if you want all your ducks lined up in a neat row (and don't want anybody moving said ducks when your back is turned) then working in the Middle East is not your best choice.

[MartinCh]

thanks. I had that one figured more or less. Just wondering why those who have experience and can therefore choose not to go to certain jobs, still go there. Despite having idea what it'd be like and the 'translation error'. I'd have problem to swallow that one up.

But then, if a pilot signs contract which is a sham and deceitful, then they cannot be held accountable to the terms. If I were ever to go to ME, I'd not bank on anything.

[denlopviper]

rotory side is pretty decent on HIFA. your pay will be higher than anywhere else, around US$8000 monthly. HOT and CFI are very good and students are well, students.

dubai and abu dhabi are about 50 mins drive each.

the field is a very active field with upto 4 military squardons plus the 30 horizon airplanes flying everyday so it can be very exciting. no real operational constraints. machines are decent and are being equipped with air con.

unlike most UAE companies horizon is very good. your contract will be in english as the company targets western expats. JAR license will be an advantage because thats what they are looking for. you get full insurance. HR and admin can be hard headed at times but like anywhere else, be friendly and you get treated good.

if your afraid of the heat then go for it. you can always jump ship to ADA once the contract ends.

[fluffy5]

Just a question, what 4 military squadrons are those ?
I know, it is the special squadron, the VIP squadron, the extra special VIP squadron and wait for it....... The extra special VVIP squadron.
And then you have the poor guys still punting away on the hawks..... Long live the Canadians

Fluffy

[denlopviper]

1 mirage 2000 sqdn forward deployed or now based there. temporary

plus the 3 units based there with Khalifah Air College.

1 Hawks sqdn for fighter conversion

1 PC7 sqdn for advanced flight training

1 G120 sqdn for basic flight training


ps all VIP airplanes are based in abu dhabi and dubai. non are based in al ain.

also dont forget the cloud seeding beach 200s flying from al ain

[fluffy5]

Hats off to you sir.
Did not know there was the temporary mirage. The cloud seeding done by beech now, I always thought by caravan, not really my bag as only flew helicopters.
Question.
Is Paul the satco still there.

Fluffy

[denlopviper]

naa, Andre i think.

[fluffy5]

Really I thought he went up to adu dhabi end to oversee them up there, mind you couple of years ago that was, last time I was in the intercon having chat with Andre must be over two year now.

Fluffy

[denlopviper]

hmm were you at HIFA or air college?

[Whirling Wizardry]

Can anyone shed some light on how much the 'attractive tax free renumeration package with usual.....' is? I had some conflicting info from various sources and would like to hear from someone who is/has been there recently.

TVM

[Whirling Wizardry]

Cabby,

I've had a fair amount of exposure to the Summer and all of the other seasons of the ME and know how oppressive it can get. Simply trying to figure out if the maths adds up to see if it makes sense to head back that way to save some dollar for the future. Still hoping to get some more accurate figures with regard to salary, allowances etc rather than the vague 'competitive rates' statements that I'm reading about.

WW

[flying.monkeyz]

Sorry something not related to choppers but I noticed they are looking for a ground instructor. Any idea what the remuneration packages may be like for a ground instructor?

Thanks!