Dubai-based Emirates Flight Training Academy (EFTA) is bolstering its fleet with three new twin-engine Diamond DA420VI aircraft and a corresponding flight simulator.
“Slated to be the flagship that ushers in multi-engine piston (MEP) training at EFTA,” the AUSTRO jet-fuel powered DA42-VI is the latest version of Austrian manufacturers Diamond Aircraft Industries’ light piston twin. The total deal is worth an estimated four million Euros in list prices.
Describing his confidence in having “made the right choice,” Captain Abdula Al Hammadi, Vice President of EFTA, noted: “Our new fleet from Diamond Aircraft is part of our larger strategic intent for our cadet programme. It helps us design a bridging MEP programme for cadets to gain more flying experience while progressing from a single engine to a light jet aircraft”.
Well over 1,100 DA42 aircraft have been delivered to date; “outselling all other certified piston twins combined”. The four-seat, all-composite DA42-VI is equipped with two 168hp jet fuel AUSTRO engines, estimated to generate fuel savings of up to 50% compared to conventional Avgas-powered twins, and a panoramic canopy to provide “excellent visibility during all flight manoeuvres”.
Liquin (Frank) Zhang, CEO of Diamond Aircraft Austria, noted his enthusiasm at adding “another premier flight academy to our long list of renowned training operators”; noting his company were “looking forward to support [EFTA] with the most advanced and eco-friendly aircraft available on the market today”.
Launched in 2013, the Emirates Flight Training Academy combines “cutting-edge learning technologies and a modern fleet of 27 training aircraft” to train both UAE nationals and international students. The current fleet comprises of 22 Cirrus SR22 G6 and five Embraer Phenom 100EV aircraft.
Delivery of the three Diamond aircraft is “expected to commence soon”, with all three scheduled to arrive at the training academy in the “first half of 2023”.
