EK Cadet Program? in ADL

[skywest_xr]

Excuse my ignorance should it be misplaced, but does EK have a cadet program for pilots with zero time?

I was always under the impression they did not, however, reading the latest edition of SAFAR its has a small article regarding the latest graduation of EK cadets from the ab initio course in Adelaide.

It doesnt say to much about the program except that its a 53 week course and that 11 pilots have just graduated, and I take it, they now graduate onto mainline EK?

I assume the program is for UAE nationals, but any information regarding the program would be fanastic. I take it they are trained by BAE in Adelaide, same as CX cadets.

[neville_nobody]

Yeah BAE run a few guys through every year for UAE nationals. You don't want to know anything other than that because the finer details will make you cry if you've battled through aviation in this country

[AN FO fossil]

I have spoken to a couple of the cadets. Nice guys. Very respectful of the experienced expats they fly with. Brains like sponges. They tell me that the acceptance rate into the program is about 1 percent. So therefore it must be very competitive and I would imagine that only the best get a go, based on what I've seen anyway.
Still, as I look back on my years in WA and the NT, I have to say that they couldn't possibly appreciate how lucky they are.