UAE residents can fly, lease electric aircraft by October 2019

Books Tuesday 12/March/2019 22:37 PM
By: Times News Service
UAE residents can fly, lease electric aircraft by October 2019

Abu Dhabi: Come October, anyone living in the UAE can lease and fly an electric aircraft, provided they receive proper training, as per the Academy of Technical Training, ATT, standards.
Officials at the ATT told Emirates News Agency, WAM, that receiving a licence to fly the electric-driven aircraft is open to individuals as young as 14 years. The licence is issued after they pass a flight training period at the Flight Club in Ghantoot.
According to Lahej Saif Al Falasi, Chairman of the ATT, an electric aircraft with a Slovenian made airframe will be used in both training and flying operations.
“The aircraft, including the batteries and engines, is entirely assembled in the UAE by Emirati hands,” says Al Falasi.
The eco-friendly aircraft goes by the name Alpha Electro and is the first of its kind in the Middle East.
The AED400,000 Alpha Electro aircraft can fly over 13,000 feet for 90 minutes, using two lithium batteries. One of the batteries is equipped to provide additional power for 30 minutes in case of emergency.