Embraer Executive Jets announced today that Etihad Flight College, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates, has signed a purchase agreement for four Phenom 100E jets, and options for three additional aircraft of the same model.
Based on current list prices the deal is valued at about USD 30 million, if all options are exercised, and deliveries of the aircraft to Etihad Flight College will start in the first quarter of 2016.
The delivery of the four new Embraer Phenom 100E jets will bring to 20 the number of aircraft in the trainer fleet, which is currently composed of 16 single-engine propeller airplanes.
“We are very pleased with the selection of the Phenom 100E by Etihad Flight College,” said Marco Túlio Pellegrini, President and CEO, Embraer Executive Jets. “The Phenom 100E has proven to be the ideal aircraft for jet pilot training, delivering advanced cockpit technology, along with high performance and high reliability, at a low operating cost.”
“As the national airline of the UAE, it is vital for us to establish a world-class training facility to support the training and manpower development of the local Emirati workforce, while also providing a source of well-trained, highly-skilled pilots for our growing operations.” said Richard Hill, Etihad Airways’ Chief Operations Officer. "The Phenom 100E’s airline-grade technology, performance and reliability make it an ideal initial training platform to prepare our cadets for line operations."
Based in Al Ain, the Etihad Flight College is the first organization in the world to use multi-engine aircraft in the core phase of its MPL training program, and provides training for up to 120 Emirati and international cadets annually.
Etihad Flight College
Etihad Flight College, the world-class flight training college based at Al Ain International Airport in the UAE, is now authorised to provide the Multi Crew Pilot Licence (MPL) training program following certification as an Approved Training Organisation (ATO) by the UAE General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA).
The MPL training program provides students with the core competencies required of an airline pilot in today’s ever-changing aviation marketplace. It focuses on relevant and operator-specific training, rather than the traditional model of performance-based training in a generic format. It produces pilots with not only the skills to fly a modern commercial aircraft to the most exacting standards, but the competencies and attitudes required of a professional pilot as well.
Established following the acquisition of the fixed wing division of Horizon International Flight Academy from Mubadala in September 2014, the Etihad Flight College will train up to 200 Emirati and international cadets annually. Etihad Airways currently employs over 2,200 pilots to operate its fleet of 110 Airbus and Boeing aircraft.
The Phenom 100E
The Phenom 100E has a four-occupant range of 1,178 nautical miles (2,182 km), with NBAA IFR reserves. With a high speed cruise of 390 knots, the Phenom 100E is one of the fastest jets in its class, with operating costs comparable to that of leading turbo-prop aircraft. The Phenom 100E also features multi-function spoilers, and the aircraft is capable of flying at 41,000 feet (12,500 m), powered by two Pratt & Whitney Canada PW617F-E engines with 1,695 pounds of thrust each.
The pilot-friendly cockpit enables single-pilot operation and offers the Prodigy Flight Deck, with Synthetic Vision System. Other standard features include improved takeoff performance with thrust reserve, increased Maximum Zero-Fuel Weight and an electronic checklist.
