Emirates has announced plans to construct a cutting-edge pilot training facility to house six Full Flight Simulator Bays (FFS). The new facility will cater to the airline’s future Airbus A350 and Boeing 777X aircraft and cover an expansive 63,318 square feet. The facility is set to open in March 2024, providing pilots with a realistic and immersive training experience to develop the necessary skills for safe and efficient aircraft operation. Emirates’ investment in this training center reaffirms its commitment to staying at the forefront of aviation technology and equipment.
“This US$ 135 million investment to build a new pilot training center will ensure Emirates’ readiness to commence its pilot training ahead of the delivery of its new aircraft fleet starting from 2024. The building will be equipped with the latest, technologically advanced simulators to provide the best training for pilots while using solar power to reduce energy consumption,” according to His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman and Chief Executive Emirates Airline and Group.
The new building will be adjacent to the existing Emirates Training Facilities in Dubai, which will provide great integration and close proximity to all the other pilot training centers.
Emirates’ new pilot training center will provide trainees with a unique learning experience. Trainees will be able to configure the cockpit environment using custom devices as part of the training module and upload the data to the Full Flight Simulator (FFS) before starting their training session. This first-of-its-kind approach aims to shorten the preparation time inside the simulator, help trainees maintain focus, and make the most of the training duration.
By adding the new building to Emirates’ existing training colleges in Dubai, the airline will be able to expand its pilot training capacity by 54% per year. With 17 full-flight simulator bays offering a capacity of more than 130,000 training hours per year, pilots will have increased flexibility and access to state-of-the-art facilities to hone their flying skills.
The airline’s newest training college is scheduled to commence training its first batch of A350 pilots by June 2024 in line with the delivery of Emirates’ first Airbus A350 aircraft.
Apart from providing modern training facilities for flight deck crew, Emirates also offers world-class training and development programs for its workforce and other aviation professionals. These include the Emirates Flight Training Academy for cadets, Emirates Aviation University, Emirates Cabin Crew Training Centre, and specialized programs for different employee segments.