EFTA almost ready to start operations
EFTA will become partially operational in April 2017, when the building is handed over and ATPL ground school instruction starts being delivered there. 22 Cirrus SR22 aircraft are scheduled for delivery from July 2017 through June 2018 and the first of five P100EV Phenoms will arrive in October 2017. Cirrus flying instruction for the first course starts September.
The full programme encompasses an initial 18 month Foundation course of English, maths, physics and aviation science, to ensure cadets are sufficiently efucated to undertake ATPL ground school. 14 GCAA exams which mirror EASA. Then circa 300 + hours total in both sim and aircraft (culminating in CPL MEIR and Single Pilot Type Rating on P100EV) prior to being handed over to the airline to start their B777 Type Rating.
Entry curently only available to Emirati nationals, but may open to other GCC airline sponsored students in the future.