Training day

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In control: recruits regularly use modern ATC equipment.

Mohammed Yousuf Al Budoor rarely gloats about Emirates Aviation College's progress since its launch 16 years ago. As principal of the air traffic management training provider, the softly-spoken chief often plays down the organisation's development. Nevertheless, despite his humble demeanour, Budoor occasionally waxes lyrical.

"I'm not bragging but a lot of colleagues from universities in the UK are amazed by how we have achieved so much since 1991," he says. "A dean of engineering told me the college had done in 16 years what takes most other institutes 60 years to accomplish." Whether such comments are warranted is debateable, but Budoor insists the calibre of graduates in recent years reinforces his confidence. Indeed, several former students are now working with carriers in the Middle East and beyond, including Cathay Pacific, British Airways and Lufthansa.

Meanwhile, an erstwhile college recruit is helping develop the landing gear for the A380, Airbus' super-jumbo plane. Another is involved in the wing design at the aircraft manufacturer's headquarters in Toulouse. "It shows that our graduates obtain a high level of education and secure jobs with leading aviation companies," Budoor says.

Budoor's first priority following the launch of Emirates Aviation College - Aerospace and Academic Studies was to develop training courses and secure accreditation from civil aviation authorities across the globe. He also helped market the courses, while sourcing equipment and basic software programmes for air traffic management (ATM) training.

The courses - recognised by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) - have since been developed to keep pace with changes across the aviation sector. Indeed, the ATM programme now covers the latest national and international standards, using modern technology. New recruits learn aviation terms in English before focusing on aerodrome, approach and radar control. After covering the basics, students then progress to more advanced courses that look at ATM familiarisation, aerodrome ground operations, flight dispatcher and instructional techniques.

Aside from ATM, the Dubai-based college, which is owned by the Emirates Group, also provides Air Traffic Control training, using a multi-million dollar simulator. The system recreates the view of an airport runway from the ATC tower, enabling students to hone their aircraft communication skills. Other subjects include aircraft approach and area control, emergency training and low visibility operations.

According to Budoor, students attending the college already have jobs with airports or airlines in several continents. Indeed, recruits from across the Middle East and Indian subcontinent travel to Dubai to enrol on courses that generally last between two to three months. "If you take a cadet coming from Dubai airport he would have been employed for six months to a year as an ATC assistant to get exposed to the tower," Budoor says.

"We take those people and put them through the assistant course. They then go back to the tower, gain more experience and return six months to a year later to sit another programme. After that, they work for two to three years before attending the approach radar course."

In 1994, Budoor leased an ATC simulator to provide more extensive training. Following a successful trial, the college bought the system for an undisclosed sum - an investment that appears to have paid off judging by the number of clients on board. According to Budoor, the next step is to get airlines and airports from the Far East and Africa involved.

"This year, we will be approaching the Far East and Chinese markets," he says. "We have made some contacts in Brunei and China and there are others in Iran, India and Egypt to expand our marketing effort in these regions."

While educating people already employed in the industry is the main focus, the college also offers aviation-related bachelor degrees. Students hoping to forge a career in the sector can study aeronautical and aerospace engineering, electronics and avionics. Elsewhere, undergraduates keen to enter other professions have business studies, and leisure and tourism diplomas to choose from. Budoor: "We have evening classes and offer diplomas for people working during the day, who have little time to advance their careers through education."

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