Charles Alcock is managing editor of the AIN Media Group, having rejoined the company in 2019. He has been an aviation journalist since 1986, and previously worked for AIN from 1990 to 2017, most recently as editor-in-chief. His main focus is on covering new aviation technology and business models, as well as international news.
Having been raised in the London area, Alcock studied at the University of Manchester in the UK and earned an honors degree in Politics and Modern History. He speaks English and French, and some German.

Managing Editor

Charles Alcock

Since May, the Emirates Flight Training Academy (EFTA) has been using a pair of Gamebird GB1 light aircraft as part of its efforts to prepare ab initio airline pilots. The single-piston model, which is on display at the Dubai Airshow, has joined the academy’s fleet, which also includes 32 Cirrus, Embraer Phenom, and Diamond aircraft.
UK manufacturer Game Aerospace developed the GB1 mainly for aerobatic use. EFTA utilizes it for upset recovery training, leveraging its ability to operate with a load factor of plus or minus 10 gs to prepare cadets to handle emergencies by recovering from unusual flight attitudes.
Powered by a Lycoming AEIO-580-B1A engine, the two-seater has a cruise speed of 200 knots and flight endurance of up to 7 hours 30 minutes (or 90 minutes in aerobatic mode). The cockpit features the Garmin GX3 avionics suite with a GFC 500 autopilot.
At EFTA, trainee pilots complete five hours of upset recovery training. The academy recently graduated 85 cadets, and its cohorts of 300 trainees come from 26 countries.
The academy is based at Dubai World Central and opened in 2017, initially to train Emirati students and then to recruit cadets from other countries. Since 2020, it has graduated 273 students, and most of them are now flying as first officers with Emirates Airlines.
In addition to the GB1s, the fleet includes 20 Cirrus SR22 G6s piston singles, five Diamond DA42NG piston twins, and five Phenom 100EV light jets. The facility also has 36 classrooms and six full-motion flight simulators. Flights are conducted from a dedicated 5,900-foot runway and with support from an independent air traffic control tower.
“We’ve adopted a game-changing approach with our training: equip our cadets with the latest tools and technology, recalibrate regularly to prepare for future challenges, and ensure there are zero gaps,” commented Captain Abdulla Al Hammadi, EFTA’s divisional vice president. “We are committed to ensuring our cadets are fully prepared and can contribute in their aviation careers from day one.”
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Gamebird Trainer Prepares Emirates Pilot Cadets for Upset Recovery 

Piston single two-seater was developed mainly for aerobatic flights

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