Gulf nationals graduate with commercial helicopter licences

The event attended by a number of dignitaries from Bahrain, Qatar and the UAE, saw the pilots awarded with an internationally recognised license issued by the UAE General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) at the ceremony, held at the academy.

In keeping with international regulations as prescribed by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), the pilots also successfully underwent the three-month aviation English Foundation Course.

Horizon’s General Manager Mohammed Humaidan congratulated the cadets and urged the graduates to continue their search for knowledge-based excellence in the aviation industry and technology fields.

Al Zaabi said he strongly believes that all existing and aspiring pilots should complement their flying credentials with management qualifications such as the recently launched Higher Diploma in Aviation Business Administration.

“No doubt fresh graduated and professionals who embark on a career as a pilot have no intention of returning to a ground job but in an industry which grows as fast as the aviation, it is always better to be prepared so that those with a flying career can later move to a management career. This also helps sustain the aviation industry as a whole!”

Since commencing operations in 2003 the academy has graduated nearly 350 pilots and sees a growing interest from the military, police and airline sector in the Middle Eastern and North African (MENA) for flight training programmes.