Moving to Dubai
 

A question to all you living and working in Dubai.

My son (not PP member so I am writing on his behalf) gained his CPL(H) 4 years ago and has managed to keep it current and cover his costs with various B206 ad-hoc work (pleasure flights, weddings etc.). However, each year the hours he works have been getting less and less, and the long term opportunities are unclear. Luckily he has another job which he enjoys and has been able to fit the flying around that.

He has now been offered a (non-flying) job in Dubai which he has accepted and plans to start at the end of January. Apart from looking forward to the new job, he is obviously hoping that there might be some opportunities for either pleasure flying or even ad hoc paid flying while in Dubai. We have found out that he can (apparently, but needs to be confirmed) get a Dubai license by taking a local law exam, medical and flight test together his current CAA CPL, but we have found it less easy to get the details.

My (our) question is can anyone give any useful tips, contacts, web sites, other sources of information that will:

1. Help him settle into ex-pat living in Dubai,

but more importantly:

2. Get to do some helicopter flying while there!

Many thanks in advance,

O+H

As good as any place to start.


Civil Aviation Regulations (CARs)


Check out also Civil Aviation Advisory Publication (CAAP) number 04
para's 11.3 - 11.7

My advice, hour building jobs do not exist in Dubai.

Yes, he can get a licence but GA employment is virtually non existent. Paying is expensive and the flying of limited value apart from testing your patience and ability to survive in hot temperatures.

The major helicopter operators here are well, major operators using high tech equipment with very experienced crew. R22 operators don't exist.

Simple answer, I couldn't think of a worse region for hour building/opportunities to build experience than the Middle East.

Thanks for the advice - I had a feeling that might be the case!