The Harvard of flying schools

The perception after 9/11 was that it would become difficult, if not impossible, for citizens from Middle East countries to get permission to get flight training in the United States .

“I can see it as if it was yesterday,” said Mohammed Humaidan Al Zaabi, general manager of Horizon, who was a leading member of the founding team. “It was the idea of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan (Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and deputy supreme commander of the UAE Armed Forces).

“We are talking about the time after September 11 and everything was closed. If we did not make arrangements for our own training, then training would stop. So, in order to continue, we planned our first course for September 2003.”

Looking at the current fleet of nearly 30 aircraft, both fixed wing and rotor, the graduation of some 300 pilots and flying instructors, it is tempting to say that the rest is history. In fact, according to Al Zaabi, it was unremitting hard work that delivered the success, and Horizon’s ambitions have a long way to run yet.

“You cannot stand still and we have never done that,” he said. “We want to be the Harvard of flying schools and we have made progress towards that end. We would also like to expand our operations elsewhere, possibly in Europe . Why not?”

Horizon was established at Al Ain International Airport by the Mubadala Development Company, the investment arm of the Abu Dhabi government. After receiving approval from the UAE General Civil Aviation Authority, Horizon opened its doors.

The pioneering “class of 2003” were on a helicopter flying course – the first civilian training organisation for helicopter pilots in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). From the outset, Horizon aimed to meet the needs of the military, civil and corporate flying sectors.

The academy was the first in the region to introduce the European Joint Aviation (JAA) curriculum and the only one to offer both helicopter and fixed wing programmes. Training programmes include the Private Pilot Licence (PPL), the Commercial Pilot Licence (CPL), the Air Transport Pilot Licence (ATPL) Instrument Rating (IR) and Certified Flight Instructor (CFI).

Al Ain International Airport was first choice because of the availability of air space and the fact that Abu Dhabi ’s second city was already home to the UAE’s leading universities. An added bonus is the annual Al Ain aerobatic display, which draws crowds in their thousands.

With the blueprint for Horizon drawn up, Al Zaabi and his team outlined the project at the Dubai Airshow. “The response we got was very favourable and we sensed, even then, that this venture would be successful,” he said.

One of Al Zaabi’s secrets from the early days of Horizon was to involve his family in the venture. “I thought that if I am going to be working 18 hours a day, then I wanted my wife and kids to know this company as well. I involved my family from day one. They came and sat in the car with the air conditioning on while I was working in the office, which had no power then. That was in the summer temperatures.”
Now, with 100-plus staff, Horizon undertakes flying training for students from throughout the GCC region and further afield, including from Europe, Africa and India . A major boost came with the launch of Etihad, when Horizon won the contract to run the new airline’s pilot cadet programme.

“We are natural partners,” said Al Zaabi. “We are both national companies and so at Horizon we have an excellent understanding of the national students that we get from Etihad.”

The academy has achieved accreditation under international aviation bodies and, most recently, won the right from the UAE Ministry of Education Committee of Academic Accreditation to offer High Diplomas on selected flight training courses.

“This is an ongoing process under our strategy,” said Al Zaabi. “We want to constantly raise standards until we are the Harvard of flying schools. We are not there but that is our goal. We think we will be there by 2016.”

The Horizon fleet of aircraft now includes the Bell 206 Jet Ranger, the Robinson R44, the Kingair 350 and the Diamond DA 42. 

Horizon has expanded its reach, establishing a centre at Umm Al Quwain in the UAE. As well as the range of flying courses, the new Horizon centre offers something from the lighter side of life – skydiving.

How does that fit into the Horizon portfolio?

“In skydiving you have the same attention to detail and emphasis on safety as you have in flying,” said Al Zaabi. “Umm Al Quwain has the airspace for this activity and it fits perfectly within the UAE’s strategy of developing tourism.

“There are many, many people from Europe who come here for exactly this kind of activity. At the same time it helps to promote the Horizon name.”

Al Zaabi said he is actively looking to expand the Horizon name into other countries. A deal was close for a centre in another GCC country but was put on hold at the last moment. “Yes, we are very interested in expanding and we would listen to suggestions. If we found a suitable partner finance is readily available. We do not have to wait on the banks for finance.”

While the recession has hit areas of the Arabian Gulf hard, Abu Dhabi has been able to withstand it far better than some states. Horizon has been pretty unscathed, said Al Zaabi.

“Training and education will never be hit too hard, whatever the global situation,” he said. “You will not stop your kids from going to school. There is an effect for sure, but it is not bad.”

As if to make the point, Horizon had just taken delivery of its latest simulator – a CRJ 200 jet transition facility.

Al Zaabi is particularly proud that the educational and administration side of Horizon is now fully electronic, thanks to an initiative designed by the academy. The Horizon Management System is used by both students, staff and anybody else authorised to check the curriculum, monitor progress or to access 1.5 million books and texts relating to aviation.

“If you are authorised you can access this system from anywhere. Employers can check on progress of the students they sponsor and also things like their attendance record,” he said. “This system has proved a great success and gives us the perfect platform for whatever we choose to do in future.”