‘India is working to improve flying training’

MUMBAI: The government has come up with a policy of Flying Training Organisation (FTO), under which, eight new FTOS are likely to be established at five government airports, in a bid to promote flying training in the country. During Parliament session, the Centre stated that Belgavi, Jalgaon, Kalaburgi, Khajuraho and Lilabari in Assam are likely to have FTOS, for which agreements have been signed between the Airports Authority of India and winning bidders.

Replying to queries, civil aviation minister Jyotiraditya Scindia, on August 5, said land revenue has been abolished and land rentals have been significantly rationalised in the FTO policy.

The Centre also revealed that aviation regulator Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) is planning to increase the frequency of examinations of flying cadets to reduce time for obtaining commercial pilot licence .

“DGCA has modified its regulations to empower flying instructors with the right to authorise flight operations at FTOS. This may help increase flying hours and aircraft utilisation at each FTO and lead to faster completion of the CPL requirements,” Scindia said. “The number of commercial pilots who completed their flying training during the last three years was 415 in 2018, 430 in 2019 and 335 in 2020,” he added.

The minister also said India’s largest flying academy — Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Uran Akademi (IGRUA) at Amethi — has been permitted to carry out pilot training in Gondia in Maharashtra and Kalaburagi in Karnataka to enhance flying hours and aircraft utilisation.