Light aircraft ownership in UAE?

[bottom rung]

Thinking of taking on a job in Abu Dhabi. Is it possible to operate a private light aircraft there or are you restricted to the flying clubs?

[doubleu-anker]

Put it this way.

Any country that does not allow "freedom of speech", normally will not allow private aviation to take place. If they do it will be under very strict conditions, designed to discourage.

Do you want your cake and eat it?

[GlueBall]

Be sure that your airplane has working cabin air conditioning in summer. :{

[bottom rung]

No aircon, no canopy. Looks like I'll leave the Pitts in the UK.

[fractional]

I do not own or do any private flying. I don't think this is yet "free" here. I believe the Northern Emirates will allow you to do so. On your days off, drive north and go to Ras Al Khaimah, Ajman or even Umm Al Quwain. I know there are 2 schools (:confused:).
Having written the above, start by calling +971 7 244 8541. It's the local ATC number and they will help you get some information where to go next. Also try this site: http://www.uaeflyingclubs.com/
Good luck!

[bottom rung]

Thanks, fractional. I'll give them a call.

[BarryW]

Partially explains why flying lessons are so expensive here

[fractional]

Not just that BarryW. Look at something that I expected to be a bit cheaper than elsewhere, and this based on cost of living (staff, utilities, etc.) in the Western European countries: http://archive.gulfnews.com/articles/08/01/26/10184886.html

[JoeCo]

Althogh I would definately consdier private flying here int he UAE, the problem is, where are you going ot go!???

The way I see it is that it'd be quicker to drive then it would be to get to the airport, prep the plane and fly there.

However, if it is a Pitts, then maybe your intentions would be just to have a block of airspace close enough to the airport to roll, loop and try and bend that Pitts!! ;-) In that case, look into the Umm Al Quwain Flying Club. It's a private field, they have a flyign school there and parachute club.

As for local help on the Pitts, let me know, i know a guy.

I'd be intereted to know what you learn and what you decide. It be great to see a Pitts in the area.

Good Luck!

[BarryW]

Not sure how true this is, but according to a local flight school you cannot operate out of DXB with a ppl on your own, you require a safety pilot (aka instructor) to be with you. This will be until they open the 2nd runway.

This probably is not a problem in Abu Dhabi.

[Sheikh_Yabuti]

I don't know if you have ever been to the UAE before, but if not you may want to be aware that the bureaucracy, and the pace at which that bureaucracy moves, can make you want to slit your wrists.

My slightly educated guess is that you may not find anything on paper that would prevent you from operating a light aircraft here, but even if that is the case the reality is that you will find it impossible to do what you propose.

By way of example, just to join a flying club you need to have security clearance. A friend of mine applied for this almost 18 months ago. He is still waiting - part of this will be bureacracy, part sheer incompetence (on the flying school's behalf, not his).

Put simply the answer would probably be "unlikely but maybe" but it would undoubtedly not be worth the coronary you would have trying to sort it out.

or you could become best buddies with a big deal sheikh - in which case everything would be fine.

[mothflyer]

I have just returned from a 2 year stint in Dubai. Took not so long to get my UAE pilots licence and medical and flying was cheaper than the uk for a fully kitted C172.

There are no tailwheels available nor can you fly at night without a CPL. There are no privately owned aircraft all belong to companies. Check the rules and I recommend talking to UAQ Umm Al Quwain Aero Club. The instructors are very nice guys and the club fleet is well maintained. The flying is different as you can imagine being the desert with temperatures up to +50 in the summer.

Any info you need about flying in the UAE on a 1st hand basis, drop me a PM.

[John Miller]

Mothfly. To state there are no privately owned aircraft is untrue. A friend of mine owns a Samba XL and flies it almost every weekend out of Umm. She holds a South African PPL validated in the UAE. ;)

[woodja51]

Anyone interested in going shares in a hunter Mk 51??

30kUSD over in Wisconsin at moment.

only a single seater so will have to get the yarpies to show us how to fly it?

Prob not worth doing in the UAE anyway but like the idea of having the AVON fired up for a BBQ in Juemirah sometime just to drown out the Tannoys 5 times a day! Can even get spares from India and around the gulf!

Dreaming yeah I know

Woodja

[Dixons Cider]

Like yer thinking Woodja, the Avon might give a bit of a taint to the steak and sausages but!

But seriously, what about the idea of a syndicated play thing here in the UAE, something easy to run, a Pitts, Extra or the likes. A Yak even. Has anyone got any actual experience to relate with GCAA on the subject of private ownership?

[joehunt]

Dixons Cider

".....steak and sausages but!"

But what? You didn't seem to finish the sentence.

[Antman]

But seriously, what about the idea of a syndicated play thing here in the UAE, something easy to run, a Pitts, Extra or the likes. A Yak even.

I'd be up for that, Really liked the look of that YAK 52TW at the Al Ain airshow, and you can get them factory new in Romania.
http://www.aerostar.ro/index-e.htm

[ADB25]

Hi there,

I am from the UK but based here in uae, Rak.

Noticed you have some experience flying with Umm Al Quwain aero club. I am wanting to learn to fly and Always drive past there but it looks like it is not operating anymore. Cant seem to find a website with any info.. Do not want to fly with Al Jazirah as they only offer LSA/Micro lights and Fujariah seems to far.

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Best Regards

Alex

[jackx123]

your question infers to owning your own a/c??

a buddy (senior EK jock) was forced to sell his extra400 but only a couple of years later when they found out he was not local :cool:

[Masif Eego]

Sheikh_Yabuti summed it all up nicely a few years ago..... and not much has changed !!

investigated bringing in an S2C, the bureaucracy and incompetence in this country is truly astounding.

Sensitive lot the UAE air force.... :rolleyes: