The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has granted a Certificate of Approval to the Air India Flying Training Academy at Belora Airport in Amravati, Maharashtra. The approval clears the way for the facility to begin pilot training operations in the coming weeks. The academy is expected to become South Asia’s largest flying training organisation (FTO), bringing a major aviation training facility to the Vidarbha region. Read on to know more.
Air India Flying Training Academy Gets DGCA Approval
Developed jointly by the Maharashtra Airport Development Company (MADC) and Tata Group-owned Air India, the project is about 95% complete. All 34 training aircraft have arrived at Belora Airport, and the academy is expected to begin operations within a month. The first batch is likely to include around 180 trainee pilots. The formal launch date will be announced once the remaining administrative and operational formalities are completed.
According to the Free Press Journal, the fleet comprises 31 single-engine Piper Archer aircraft and three twin-engine Diamond DA42 NG aircraft. Equipped with Garmin G1000 NXi cockpit systems and Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) technology, the aircraft will familiarise trainees with modern aviation systems.
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Spread across 10 acres, the campus will feature hostel accommodation, a dining facility, modern classrooms, briefing rooms, aircraft hangars and dedicated maintenance infrastructure. It will also have three flight simulators, including two for single-engine aircraft and one for multi-engine training. These will allow trainees to practise flight procedures before moving on to actual flying sessions. The academy plans to maintain a ratio of six trainees per flying instructor, allowing for focused instruction and individual attention.
18-Month Commercial Pilot Training Programme To Begin Soon
The academy will offer an 18-month Commercial Pilot Licence (CPL) programme. Each trainee will be required to complete 200 flying hours, including 185 hours on single-engine aircraft and 15 hours on multi-engine aircraft. Amravati’s weather conditions are expected to provide more than 300 potential flying days annually, allowing training to continue through much of the year. This could help trainees complete the required flying hours within the planned course duration.
The programme is designed to cover the different stages of commercial pilot training, combining classroom lessons, practical flying sessions, simulator training and mentorship from experienced aviation professionals.
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With DGCA approval secured and all its training aircraft in place, the Air India Flying Training Academy is preparing to begin operations. The facility is expected to expand India’s pilot-training capacity. It could also establish Amravati as a major centre for aviation education in South Asia.
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