Gamebirds Take To The Skies At EFTA

Gamebirds Glide with EFTA

Two newly introduced Gamebird GB1 aircraft are now executing loops in the skies above the Emirates Flight Training Academy (EFTA), further diversifying and enhancing the academy’s fleet while establishing new benchmarks in training excellence. With a total of 30 Cirrus, Phenom, and Diamond aircraft, EFTA is training cadets on four different aircraft types—a rare opportunity in aviation training—before they complete their education at the academy.

The new Gamebirds represent the academy’s inaugural aerobatic aircraft, crafted explicitly for upset prevention and recovery training (UPRT). They offer control and responsiveness, fulfilling the stringent requirements of cadet training and high-performance flying. Cadet pilots can now confidently engage in 5 hours of UPRT and tackle various training scenarios, utilizing the aircraft’s advanced technology.

Captain Abdulla Al Hammadi, Divisional Vice President, EFTA said: “We have remained steadfast and true to our vision – to be at the forefront of aviation training as it’s pivotal in shaping Emirates’ and the industry’s future. We’ve adopted a game-changing approach with our training: equip our cadets with the latest tools and technology, recalibrate regularly to prepare for future challenges, and ensure there are zero gaps. We are committed to ensuring our cadets are fully prepared and can contribute in their aviation careers from day one. The Gamebird has elevated our curriculum and will ensure our graduates are equipped with the skills and confidence to excel.”

Designed to optimize operational effectiveness, the Gamebird provides an endurance of 7 hours and 30 minutes, including 1.5 hours dedicated to aerobatic maneuvers and high-performance features. EFTA has recently graduated 85 cadets, and its current cohort of more than 330 students represents 26 different nationalities.

About Emirates Flight Training Academy

Located in DWC, EFTA was launched by Emirates in 2017, initially to train UAE nationals, and later international students. The Academy combines cutting-edge learning technologies and a modern fleet of 32 training aircraft to train cadets with no previous knowledge of flying. EFTA’s fleet has 32 aircraft: 20 x Cirrus SR22 G6 single-engine piston, 5 x Diamond DA42NG multi-engine piston, 2 x Gamebird GB1 and 5 x Embraer Phenom 100EV very light jets.

EFTA’s advanced facility, comparable in size to 200 football fields, features 36 contemporary classrooms, six full-motion flight simulators with six axes, a standalone Air Traffic Control Tower, and a specialized 1,800m runway equipped with its own Instrument Landing System. Since 2020, the Academy has graduated 273 students, most of whom are currently serving as First Officers at Emirates.