[2] The college was first established as a school of aviation in June 1982 at the location of Al Dhafra Air Base in Abu Dhabi by the United Arab Emirates founding father Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan.

The school was established to prepare and graduate military pilots for the UAE Air Force that are knowledgeable of the Middle East landscape and environment.

In 1984 the school was renamed to the Air College and was commanded by Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

[3] Due to the increasing number of students and enhanced aviation technology a new headquarters of the college was established in the city of Al Ain in 1995.

The new headquarters was opened in 1996 and the college was renamed to Khalifa bin Zayed Air College pertaining to its leader, Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, then crown prince of Abu Dhabi.