Etihad Airways Marks Significant Milestone

Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates, has achieved a significant milestone as the first of its cadet pilots successfully completed ‘Base Training’ on an actual Boeing 787 Dreamliner as part of its Multi-Crew Pilot License (MPL) programme.

‘Base Training’ flights are used to train cadet pilots on take-off and landings under the supervision of a qualified instructor. Following this stage, the trainee pilots will continue their training on the Boeing 787 Dreamliner, the most modern and effective wide-body aeroplane on the market. The Boeing 787 Dreamliner MPL program, which will be introduced in October 2020, was created in partnership with IATA and the GCAA in order to satisfy the industry's rising demand for highly qualified pilots.

The course uses a fast and highly advanced curriculum that takes advantage of cutting-edge industry learning methods and technology to teach students to become completely certified Boeing 787 Dreamliner pilots in order to achieve the highest performance standards.

The plan offers structured instruction for pilots that is adapted to the needs of the airline, the aircraft, and the working setting. It includes classroom instruction, simulator practice, and on-the-job flying training with some of the most knowledgeable teachers for this particular aircraft type.

Mohammad Al Bulooki, Chief Operating Officer at Etihad Airways said, “Etihad’s UAE national cadet pilots are the first to complete this significant milestone on one of the world’s first Boeing 787 Dreamliner MPL programmes”.

“This achievement is a testament to Etihad’s commitment to continuously invest and develop our UAE national talent by adopting state-of-the-art training methodologies. Through this programme, Etihad’s cadet pilots will receive the most advanced training in commercial aviation as we prepare for our continued growth in 2023 and beyond”.

The base training flight was successfully flown by Second Officers Aya Saleh Alaudhli and Abdulla Rasheed Alsheebani under the supervision of Captain Suraj Weerasekera.

Second Officer Aya Saleh Alaudhli said: “Thanks to our leadership and their belief in Emirati women, I am proud and privileged to be in the first batch of the Boeing 787 Dreamliner MPL programme that Etihad has successfully pioneered”.