Since its establishment in 2003 as the top helicopter training academy in UAE, HORIZON has been instrumental in the worldwide development of aviation capabilities. We provide commercial and defence operators with standard and customized rotary-wing helicopter training, allowing them to acquire a variety of regionally and globally recognized credentials.
With our state-of-the-art facilities and a multinational team of instructors with military expertise, our training programs continue to adhere to the highest standards of safety, quality, and efficiency. They meet European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) requirements and have been approved by the UAE General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA). Among the other approvals and certifications we earned are:
- Approved Training Organisation (ATO)
- Continuing Airworthiness Management Organisation (CAMO)
- Approved Type Rating Organization
- Approved Maintenance Organisation (AMO)
- Approved GCAA E-examination Centre
- Aviation English Screening and GCAA-approved English Language Proficiency (ELP) Testing Centre
- ISO 9001:2015
As part of EDGE, HORIZON guides tomorrow's aviators and upskills today's experienced pilots, ultimately setting the benchmark for pilot training. We are always on the lookout for cutting-edge training technology and world-class partners to assist us in developing pilot skills and increasing operational flexibility
BUILDING SKILLS
FOR TOMORROW’S
MISSIONS
As the region's largest helicopter training academy, we work closely with our clients to establish customized training programmes that develop essential skills to suit their specific requirements. Designed for both beginners to experienced military pilots, our extensive variety of international standard helicopter flight training courses meet the needs of a diverse range of skill levels. HORIZON's students are taught in three distinct Bell single- or twin-engine helicopters, as well as four separate state-of-the-art simulators.
TWIN-ENGINE AIR TRANSPORT PILOT LICENSE ATPL (H)
Training helicopter pilots to a certain level of proficiency, the ATPL (H) integrated course is designed to prepare students to fly multi-pilot, multi-engine helicopters in commercial air transport. This 84-week helicopter covers 225 hours of training in flight and 850 hours of teaching at theoretical level.
TWIN-ENGINE NIGHT VISION GOGGLES (NVG)
The Twin Engine – Night Vision Goggles course readies pilots for a safe helicopter flight at night while using Night Vision Goggles. This six-week full-time training program comprises 23 hours of in-flight training and 12 hours of theoretical (classroom) instruction.
SINGLE-ENGINE PRIVATE PILOT LICENCE HELICOPTER (PPL)
The PPL enables you to assume the role of Pilot-in-Command during personal flight. The duration of the course is between 16 and 52 weeks and comes complete with 45 hours of in-flight training and 100 hours of theoretical instruction.
COMMERCIAL PILOT LICENCE - HELICOPTER (CPL)
Combining computer-based and classroom instruction, the full-time CPL training program prepares pilots to fly commercial single-engine or multi-engine helicopters. Even with no prior flying experience, students can go from zero to GCAA CPL (H) with this commercial helicopter training introductory course. The ground school's objective is to provide prospective pilots with the aviation theoretical knowledge necessary for flight.
FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR – HELICOPTER (FI)
Providing necessary knowledge and skills, this full-time FI (H) programme will prepare pilot trainers in helping students obtain their commercial pilot license. Throughout this specialised helicopter training course, the student instructors will experience organizing classroom sessions, honing their abilities to deliver helicopter lessons of various lengths. They will also learn to demonstrate and assess all of the exercises from the right-hand seat.
QUALIFIED MILITARY PILOT BRIDGE COURSE - HELICOPTER (QMP)
With this QMP (H) course, HORIZON Helicopter Academy prepares qualified military pilots to get the GCAA CPL (H) / CPLIR (H) license. This 16-week military helicopter training includes 15 hours of in-flight training and 200 hours of theoretical instruction (recommended).
INSTRUMENT RATING (IR)
Equipping students with necessary knowledge on Instrument Rating standards, this modular training programme prepares pilots to fly helicopters under Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) and Instrument Meteorological Conditions (IMC).
SINGLE-ENGINE and TWIN-ENGINE TYPE RATING (TR)
This conversion course is intended to acquaint students with the mechanics, aerodynamics, operation, technology, performance, and emergency procedures associated with a particular aircraft type. The duration of the course is three weeks (6 hours of flight instruction and 17 hours of classroom instruction) for single-engine helicopters and four weeks (12 hours of flight instruction and 30 hours of classroom instruction) for twin-engine helicopters.
TRAINING A NEW
GENERATION OF
WORLD-CLASS PILOTS
Along with single and twin-engine helicopter training, HORIZON delivers a comprehensive range of in-depth aviation courses. These courses are specifically designed to provide students with an extensive knowledge of rotary wing aircraft operating procedures. Combining theoretical and practical training, our programs ensure that clients are equipped with the tools that meet their operational needs.
Our current course offerings include flight safety, aviation ground safety, aircraft accident investigation and management, aviation management, crew resource management, flight safety and accident investigation management, and flight safety officer training.
FLYING INTO
THE FUTURE
Bell, our primary technological partner, is one of leading helicopter manufacturers across the globe, having delivered over 35,000 aircraft to date. As a Bell-approved training facility, HORIZON only runs the most current fleet available, with the Bell 505 Jet Ranger, 407, and 429 all in operation at our Al Ain-based helicopter training school.
BELL 429
With a fully integrated glass cockpit, IFR capabilities, and sophisticated drive system with optional dual-pilot, the Bell 429 offers outstanding performance in speed, range, and hover. Its interior is larger than that of any other light twin helicopter, featuring flat flooring and capacity for seven passengers and a flight crew. The Bell 429 increases safety via the use of redundant avionics, hydraulics, and power plant systems.
BELL 505
A short-range, light single-engine helicopter, the Bell 505 Jet Ranger X comes with a five-seat configuration and an adjustable cabin design for cost competitiveness. High-tech features include a fully integrated Garmin G1000H glass flight deck and a Turbomeca Arrius 2R engine with dual-channel FADEC.
BELL 407
The Bell 407 combines speed, performance, dependability, and maneuverability in a single aircraft. With its Rolls Royce 250-C47B turbine FADEC engine, this helicopter can provide excellent hot and high performance with a cruising speed of 140 knots (259 kph). Additionally, it offers a very quiet and comfortable ride in almost any weather situation.
BELL 206 JET RANGER
The Bell 206B3 is a tough and dependable helicopter with an excellent safety record. One of the most popular turbine helicopters of all time, the Jet Ranger features excellent auto-rotational characteristics and a collective mounted throttle.
SIMULATORS
The Simulator is a two-seat cockpit with an integrated instrument panel for visual and instrument training. The program generates a realistic flight model that incorporates translational lift, ground effect, torque, and auto-rotation, among other features. The Simulator comes complete with over 24,000 airports and all available navigation aids.
FACILITIES
From our leading-edge facilities based in Al Ain, Abu Dhabi, we provide a 5,000-square-meter technologically superior training environment purpose-built for flight training; it comes complete with our approvals and certifications, computer-based training, multimedia classrooms, iPad technology, glass cockpit helicopter, real-time online student reports, online flying schedule, e-library, and thirteen helipad dispersal areas.
Situated on our helicopter flight school, the training facilities offer weather-friendly training grounds for maximizing flight time. Additionally, the desert environment presents numerous opportunities for limited-power situations, mountain flying, and desert training conditions.