The world’s population has exploded since the 1970s due to the availability of better healthcare facilities worldwide. As a result of this, cities worldwide have expanded exponentially in size and population density. 

That’s the good part. The bad part is that though cities offer a high standard of living and many conveniences to people worldwide, they have become far too congested as a consequence of the population explosion. 

While the common folk or working-class people have found a way around this problem by using the public transport systems such as metro rails, subways, trams, etc. available in their cities, congestion remains a serious threat to traditional van ambulances. It retards their speed of service or efficiency making them less effective. 

The only solution to the problem of congestion or traffic jams in cities is using air ambulances such as fixed-wing aircraft or helicopters to transport patients to hospitals or from one hospital to another.  

Air ambulances are in high demand in cities around the world and air ambulance service providers are reaping huge profits these days. Pilots for various air ambulances are also in high demand these days are are paid handsome salaries. 

That being the case, you might be thinking along the lines of where to take Dubai ambulance training courses, how to get a DCAS license in Dubai, and how to start a Private Ambulance Service in Dubai. If you’re thinking along those lines kindly read on because we’re going to be discussing all those points and much more in this article.

Where to take Dubai Ambulance Training Courses

Before you can become an air ambulance pilot and make money, you need to become a certified air ambulance pilot by taking an air ambulance pilot course. Now we shall see the top 3 prominent institutes in the UAE from which you can become a certified air ambulance pilot. 

Emirates Flight Training Academy

This is one of the most reputed flight training academies in the world that provides world-class training to trainee pilots. Pilot training is provided for small and large aircraft. One can apply for the institute’s flight training program via the institute’s official website but one needs to meet certain criteria before one can apply online. They are as follows:

• One needs to be at least 17 years of age. 
• One needs to be at least 160 cm or 5.2 feet tall. 
• One needs to complete at least high school (12th grade) and obtain distinction marks in English, Maths, and Physics. 
• One needs to clear the TOEFL exam. 
• One needs to obtain a student visa in the UAE if one meets all of the above-mentioned criteria.   

The pilot training course offered by this institute is top-notch and will be well worth the fees you paid for this course. 

JETSTREAM Aviation Academy 

This aviation academy specializes in providing pilot training for helicopters, especially the helicopter types used as air ambulances. Students who successfully graduate from this institute will be given a DCAS pilot license which can also be applied online by filling out this form in PDF format.

At this institute, students will be taught how to pilot the FNPT II /MCC, Bell helicopters, the Robinson R22, and the Robinson R44 trainee helicopters. This aviation institute is ideal for students who want to pilot helicopter air ambulances rather than fixed-wing aircraft. This aviation institute is highly reputed and will be well worth your money. 

Sunsea Aviation Services Private Limited

This is one of the most versatile and well-facilitated aviation training institutes in the world. This institute has a vast hangar and runway where they train trainee pilots how to pilot a wide array of civilian helicopters and aircraft (small and big). 

This institute provides pilot training for obtaining a Private Pilot License (PPL) which can be applied for online by visiting the PPRuNE website. PPL enables a person to fly one’s small private aircraft that can seat up to 6 people. 

This institute also provides training to obtain a Commercial Pilot License (CPL) which can be used to pilot small commercial beachcrafts (a type of small aircraft) that can seat a maximum of 15 passengers. 

This institute also provides Instrument Ratings and Night Ratings courses which enable a certified pilot to pilot large aircraft like Boeing 777, Airbus A380 etcetera even during the night. You have to decide what kind of pilot you want to become and choose the appropriate course from this esteemed aviation institute. 

How to get a DCAS license in Dubai?

DCAS stands for Dubai Corporation for Ambulance Services. It is the agency in Dubai that provides all types of aviation or pilot licenses. The procedure to apply for any kind of pilot license from DCAS is elaborate but simple. All you have to do is:

1. Visit the website http://www.dfgateway.com/ 
2. Choose the type of pilot license you wish to apply for (as described in the previous section). 
3. Upload the required documents and certifications as requested on the website.
4. You will then receive your ARS (Air Report Special) status on the website and to your email id which can either be “Approved”, “More documents required”, or “Rejected”.  
5. You have to then make the payment to receive your pilot license which can range from AED 200 to AED 1000 based on the type of pilot license you applied for. 
6. You have to then give a face-to-face oral interview with the concerned DCAS authorities. 
7. Your pilot license will be delivered to your home if you pass the oral interview given to the concerned DCAS authorities. 

This is an overview of how to get a DCAS license in Dubai. If you want a more detailed guide, kindly read this Word document created by Data Flow.  

Documents required to start your own Private Ambulance Service in Dubai 

If you want to start your private ambulance service in Dubai, you must submit the following legal and official documents to the DCAS either online or in person. 

• Any government-issued ID proof.
• Your address is proof.
• Your fitness and sanity certificates.
• Your DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service Checks) number.
• Your Statement of Purpose (SoP). 
• Supporting documents that include valid links to your company’s website and mobile app/s.   
• A document stating your company’s complaints policy and procedure. 
• A document stating your company’s consent to the UAE’s aviation laws. 
• Your company’s Financial Visibility Statement. 
• A document stating your company’s compliance with DCAS’s governance policy. 
• A document stating your company’s infection control policy and procedure. 
• Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) registration certificate.
• A document stating your company’s risk assessments. 
• A document stating your company’s medical emergency policy.
• A document stating your company’s medicine management policy and procedures.
• Your company’s public and employer liability certificate. 
• A document stating your company’s records management policy. 
• A document stating your company’s recruitment policy. 
• A document stating your company’s passenger safety policies and procedures. 
• A document stating your company’s guarantee of treating bariatric patients kindly and appropriately. 
• A document explaining your company’s staffing structure.
• A document stating your company’s staff training policies and procedures. 
• Your company’s vehicle purchase and pilot license documents. 

Once all these documents have been submitted to the concerned DCAS authorities, you will have to give a face-to-face oral interview with them on the given date when the last phase of your company’s screening will take place. If you pass that interview then you will become a government-approved air ambulance service provider in Dubai. 

Type A, B, & C air ambulances explained

You might be surprised to know this but there are three different types of air ambulances worldwide. They are type A, type B, and type C air ambulances. The difference between them lies in their size and equipment sophistication.

Type A air ambulances: These air ambulances are the most basic types of air ambulances. They are typically helicopters or very small (relatively speaking) aircraft. They have only the most basic medical equipment and nurses (a few). They are only used for non-emergency patient transport either from one’s home to a hospital or between hospitals.  

Type B air ambulances: These air ambulances are larger and more sophisticated than type A air ambulances. Type B air ambulances are typically small aircraft that can carry up to 8 passengers. 

They have more medical equipment on board than type-A air ambulances and may either carry nurses or paramedics. They are more often than not used for emergency patient transport purposes. 

Type C air ambulances: These air ambulances are the most advanced. Theta are larger and more sophisticated than type A and type B air ambulances. They have state-of-the-art medical equipment on board and only carry paramedics along with the patient’s relatives and/or family members. They are also the most expensive of all and are only used for emergency patient transport purposes. 

FAQs

• What are the major advantages of air ambulances over van ambulances?

Air ambulances are swifter, can carry more passengers, are not hindered by traffic or weather conditions, and can do international travel when compared to road/van ambulances. 

• Who is the largest air ambulance service provider in the UAE? 

ICATT is the largest air ambulance service provider in the UAE. They have been in the field for 14-plus years. They have around 55 air ambulances (they are planning to buy more shortly) and have completed 400-plus patient transport missions so far.

• What is the average cost of hiring an air ambulance in Dubai?  

The average cost of hiring an air ambulance in Dubai is between AED 32,000 and AED 44,000. 

• What is the average cost to hire an air ambulance in Dubai?

The average cost to hire an air ambulance in Dubai is between AED 1,645 and AED 3,290 per hour depending on the type of air ambulance hired.

• Are federal ambulances free to hire in Dubai?

Yes, federal ambulances are free to hire in the UAE as their cost is covered under the medical insurance that working-class people pay every month. 

• What is the maximum permitted speed for ambulances in the UAE?

For road ambulances like vans, the maximum permitted speed in the UAE is 140 kmph and for air ambulances, it is 400 kmph. 

• Do government hospitals in the UAE give medical treatment free of charge?

Yes. Government hospitals in the UAE give medical treatment free of charge as patients’ hospital expenses are covered under monthly paid medical insurance.