Teachers from Emirates and EFTA unite in celebration

World Teachers' Day unites EFTA and Emirates instructors

On World Teachers' Day, observed on October 5, Emirates and Emirates Flight Training Academy (EFTA) celebrated their flight instructors for guiding the future of aviation. World Teachers' Day recognizes the invaluable and enriching role of educators in inspiring and shaping humanity's future.

EFTA’s flight instructors are eligible to join Emirates, the world’s largest international airline, as First Officers after completing five years in the training role. After these trainers are trained to fly the world’s largest and all-wide-body fleet of Airbus A380s and Boeing 777s, they can expect to join the airline’s 4,400-strong pilot community—a golden opportunity that is a rarity for the industry.

Capt Abdulla Al Hammadi, Divisional Vice President at EFTA, said: “We celebrate our flight instructors – who are among the most experienced and committed in the industry – on this World Teachers’ Day. They are the backbone of the academy and have a significant impact on shaping the personalities and success of our cadets. Not just on technical skills, but our instructors are inspirational mentors and coaches who impart soft skills such as leadership, situational awareness, decision-making, adaptability and communication. Flight instructors have the distinction of fostering the next generation of pilots, one of aviation's most highly prized roles.”

Muhammad Bilal Pasha, First Officer at Emirates, is the first-ever flight instructor who has transitioned to the airline. He said: “Being a flight instructor at EFTA was more than just teaching – inspiring the next generation of pilots to chase their dreams with passion and resilience. As I now step into my role as a First Officer at Emirates, I carry the pride of watching those dreams take flight, knowing the sky is just the beginning. The opportunity for growth provided by EFTA has enabled me to grow my wings in commercial aviation. I will now see the world, thanks to EFTA and Emirates’ vast network.”

Ian Harrington, Deputy Chief of Theoretical Knowledge at EFTA, said: “At EFTA, we have the unique ability to mentor the future of aviation, not only through flight training, but through academic rigour that inspires the next generation of pilots to explore and conquer the skies. I feel proud to be a part of an academy that empowers its teachers.”

With Emirates’ and EFTA’s planned growth trajectory, the airline and the academy invite experienced and passionate instructors to join their teams. EFTA currently has a strong team of 43 highly qualified flight instructors from 23 nationalities, while Emirates has a team of 520 from 53 nationalities.

EFTA welcomes instructors with a minimum of 700 hours and a Commercial Pilot License (CPL) or Airline Transport Pilot License (ATPL) with a single-engine class rating. Candidates must have exceptional instructional techniques and an understanding of various teaching methodologies. Those who wish to join Emirates as a flight instructor must hold a CPL, an ATPL or an MPL (Multi-crew Pilot License) and have experience as an active instructor/examiner for a minimum of 12 months, along with 1,500 hours of flight time as a pilot on multi-crew aircraft. To know more and apply, click here: Boeing and Airbus.

EFTA is one of the most advanced pilot training facilities, offering one of the best cadet programmes in the world. The academy opened its doors in 2017 to train cadets with no previous knowledge of flying. Today, the academy combines cutting-edge learning technologies and a modern fleet of 29 training aircraft, including Cirrus SR22 G6, Embraer Phenom 100EV and Diamond DA42-VI.

EFTA's facility is situated at Dubai World Central, covering over 12.5 million square feet, which is equivalent to 200 football pitches. The facility boasts over 1,800 meters of runway exclusively dedicated to training, along with a dedicated Air Traffic Control Tower. This advanced infrastructure and technology provide flight instructors with the necessary tools to train cadets effectively. Emirates’ pilot training facility is equipped with ten full-flight simulators for A380s and 777s. Additionally, the airline's new $135 million pilot training academy, spanning an area of 63,318 square feet, will house six Full-Flight Simulator Bays (FFS) for A350s and 777X aircraft.