AL AIN based Horizon International Flight Academy has inked a deal with Austria’s Diamond Aircraft to buy five new Diamond DA42 NGs.
The new multi-engine aircraft will be an addition to the academy’s existing fixed-wing fleet of three Diamond DA42s and 13 Cessna 172SP single-engine aircraft and marks a significant expansion of the training centre’s capabilities.
In addition, Horizon has also agreed to outsource its maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) to AMMROC (Advanced Military Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul Centre). The partnership will see AMMROC provide aircraft maintenance and sustainment to the academy’s full fleet of 26 aircraft.
“This aircraft purchase shows Horizon’s intent to be at the forefront of the pilot training industry with the most technologically advanced training aircraft and flight simulators available,” said academy general manager, Mansour Al Faheem. “These aircraft are equipped with modern technology, similar to that found in modern airliners. The transition from DA42 to A320, for example, becomes easier because the instrumentation in the cockpit is similar.
“In addition to this purchase, agreeing to outsource our aircraft maintenance activities to a trusted MRO solutions provider such as AMMROC will allow us to focus on our core business of training world-class pilots to meet the growing needs of the expanding aviation industry in the region.”