The Union Ministry of Civil Aviation has planned to establish flying training organization (FTO) in five airports across the country by June 2022 including Khajuraho in Madhya Pradesh, Jalgaon in Maharashtra, Belagavi and Kalaburagi in Karnataka.
The first FTO of those planned was inaugurated in Lilabari, Assam on Tuesday.
Union Minister of Civil Aviation Jyotiraditya M Scindia and the Chief Minister of Assam Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma inaugurated the first flying training organization (FTO) for North Eastern Region in Lilabari, Assam.
The FTO at Lilabari airport, Assam is one of those planned to be established in five airports across the country by June 2022 includes Belagavi and Kalaburagi in Karnataka, Jalgaon in Maharashtra and Khajuraho in Madhya Pradesh.
Scindia said with opening of the FTO, the youth of North East will get the opportunity to attain Vidya (knowledge) and Gati (speed).
He said 40% of our pilots get trained abroad which results in the loss of Rs.500 crore of foreign exchange.
The union minister said to reduce this, we have decided to open up 9 new FTO by this year and in the next stage, 15 new FTOs will be established, taking the current number of FTOs in India from 34 to 58.
With the establishment of these FTOs India will aim to become a global hub for pilot training, Scindia said.
The Airports Authority of India has leased land for the FTO and facilitated statutory approvals from DGCA and BCAs.
Currently at Lilabari, the private firm has stationed 2 aircraft for flying training – Tecnam P2008JC Single Engine and Tecnam P2006T multi-engine which would eventually be increased to 5 by year end.
In Lilabari FTO, Ground Classes (online + offline), practical flying training and simulator training on Alsim Level-5 simulator and A320 fixed base simulator will take place for single batch of 10 students which will be increased to 20.
The process for enrolment in the FTO will take place with an online entrance exam which is conducted every few months. Applicants need to be above 18 years of age and should have completed their 12th board exams with English, physics and maths.
After completing their training, students can be employed in Airlines, private charter services, air ambulances, government pilot jobs, cargo/freighter services.
Lilabari Airport was inaugurated by former prime minister Late Atal Bihari Vajpayee in the year 2003-04.
