PPL(A) & (H) flying in the UAE

[alistair.baker]

Hi all,

I am about to relocate from the UK to Dubai and I was looking for information on how to keep on flying there, either fixed wing or rotary. The only pprune threads I found were 4 years old, most of them referencing the UAQ Umm Al Quwain Aero Club which does not seem to exist anymore.

I found two schools on the web, but I could not reach anyone there on the phone (maybe normal since it is the week-end already over there)

• Horizon Flight Academy (Al Ain, 150km from Dubai): Horizon Flight Academy seems to offer PPL for rotary but only ATPL courses for fixed wing. Does not provide any information on rentals.

• Fujairah Aviation Academy (Fujairah, 130km from Dubai): FUJAA also seems more focused on CPL. Does not provide any information on rentals either.

Would anybody have information on those? Is it possible to rent fixed wing or helicopters there as a PPL, after possible conversion to a GCC license? Are there any other places in the UAE where I can rent a fixed wing (including microlight) or rotary?

Thanks a lot for your help!
A.

[xj8driver]

Due to political sensitivities and the proximity of a number of borders, I think renting as a PPL in the UAE will be highly unlikely; if you do manage it I suspect you'll be accompanied at all times, and will be filling out forms ad infinitum. Lots of guys used to fly over to Cyprus for their flying, which is about half the distance back to the UK.

I spent many years in the region so have a fair idea of what you can expect. But good luck, and I hope you find something.