Female Etihad Cadet Pilots heralded in New Book

Etihad Airways’ first female Emirati cadet pilots have had their place in aviation history confirmed following their inclusion in a new British book about the world’s greatest ever women aviators.

The book entitled “The 100 Greatest Women in Aviation” was launched at the Farnborough International Airshow, held earlier this month, and marks a century since the first women took to the skies.

Etihad cadet pilots, Salma Mohammed Al-Baloushi from Al Ain and Aisha Hassan Salim Al Mansoori from Khorfakkan, are heralded in the book as ‘the female aviators of the future’ who are ‘making their own name in flying’ and were guests of honour at the launch.

Liz Moscrop, author of “The 100 Greatest Women in Aviation”, said, “This book offers readers a guide from the very first female pilots through to aspiring present day pioneers like Salma and Aisha from Etihad Airways’ cadet pilot programme.

“These two young Emirati women have made history for themselves by becoming Etihad’s first ever female cadet pilots and we wish them all the very best as we enter the second century of women in flight.”

Salma and Aisha began their initial flight training at the Horizon International Flight Academy in September 2007 and are on course to graduate in April 2009. They, alongside 10 colleagues, make up one of four classes of Emirati cadet pilots currently training in Al Ain.

Salma said, “To be featured alongside the “100 greatest women aviators” in the book is a very proud moment for me. It was already a great achievement to join Etihad Airways as one of its first female Emirati cadet pilots, but to gain global recognition like this will stay with me forever.”

Aisha added, “My sister is a pilot with the UAE armed forces and so female aviators throughout history have always played an important part in my life. My inclusion in this book is a great inspiration and I look forward to flying the flag for female Emirati pilots across the world with Etihad.”

Etihad Airways currently has 44 Emirati cadet pilots training at Horizon, four of which are female, with the first class of seven cadets on schedule to qualify for their airline transport pilot licence (ATPL) in December 2008.

James Hogan, Etihad Airways’ chief executive, said, “Everyone at Etihad is extremely proud that Salma and Aisha were written about in such glowing terms in this book about famous female pilots. These two young women are a credit to Etihad and a great example of the strong Emirati representation we are building within our multi-talented, multi-cultural workforce.”

A fifth class of Emirati cadet pilots is due to join the Etihad programme before the end of July and a further two classes will start in November 2008, bringing the total number of number of Emirati cadet pilots to 80.

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