Air India has made a massive foray to strengthen India’s aviation infrastructure in the wake of purchasing 34 trainer aircraft. In addition, it has ordered 31 single-engine aircraft from Piper Aircraft (USA) and 3 twin-engine aircraft from Diamond Aircraft (Austria) for its future Flying Training Organization (FTO) in Amravati, Maharashtra. This FTO will be the largest flying school of South Asia which would cater for the demand for quality pilot in India. The trainer aircraft orders are going to start the deliveries from 2025 and Air India plans for train 180 commercial pilots a year from the advanced training facility.
Air India Strategic Investment for Pilot Training
Air India’s ambitious project shows it is working on creating a sustainable ecosystem for pilots in India. With such growing demand, the FTO will definitely be a highly sought entity because India aviation has seen increasing needs with various plans of expansion by Tata Group airline and others like that. Aiding to its very large customers: Air India, this FTO will contribute towards the new ‘Vision of Self-Reliance’ in Aviation training and development for India: Sunil Bhaskaran; Air India’s Aviation Academy
Being more accurate about the quality of flying training to be imparted to future pilots as according to international standards, 34 advanced trainer aircraft from a particular company were placed for orders by Air India for an upcoming New Flying Training Organisation.
Features of the New Flying Training Organization (FTO)
Amravati FTO shall be a totally functional facility by mid-2025, wherein digital classrooms, comfortable hostels, a digitized operation center, and an in-house maintenance facility are likely to enable the same. Spread over 10 acres of area, the safety standards will have to reach the highest notch so as to produce the skilled pilots to take up the gauntlet of global aviation.
The chosen aircraft at Air India are training aircraft fitted with glass cockpits, G1000 avionics systems, and Jet A1 engines to make them high tech in technology to enable the next generation of pilots to have the best time in training.
They will be well prepared to imitate flying conditions. That will ensure that the student gets an all-time feel of flying conditions in realness.
A Benchmark Event for India’s Aviation Industry
That will indeed prove a great leap for India’s expanding aviation industry, as one of the world’s biggest-growing aviation markets is none other than India, whose requirements for trained pilots are about to surge in the immediate near future of the next decade. Therefore, Air India’s investment in such big-training infrastructure will be to achieve that goal and contribute towards the vision of an Atmanirbhar Bharat or self-reliant India.
The Amravati Flying Training Organization would train pilots for Air India but simultaneously offer its services to other Indian airlines to fill in the gaping shortage of pilots all over the nation. The high-tech training equipment and an all-inclusive educational setup would ensure that the next generation of pilots is well equipped with the skills and knowledge required to excel in the aviation industry.
Air India’s commitment to aviation excellence
Already, the new Aviation Academy from Air India is the largest in South Asia. It reflects the airline’s commitment toward creating a world-class ecosystem for aviation training. Sited in Gurugram, it spreads over six lakh square feet and would be a bedrock for training Air India’s crew and pilots. The FTO in Amravati would be solely dedicated to flight training and further strengthen the position of Air India in India in aviation education.
Conclusion: Preparing for the Future of Aviation
It marks a landmark moment in India’s aviation sector with the establishment of South Asia’s largest flying school in Amravati. With Air India’s strategic investments in modern trainer aircraft and world-class facilities, the future is bright for India’s growing fleet of commercial pilots. This initiative addresses not only the urgent need for skilled pilots but also positions India as a key player in the global aviation industry.
As Air India faces the growing demands of a burgeoning and expanding aviation market, the Amravati FTO would then be the hub in producing professionals that would help see India sit atop the global chart.
Refer :
TOI, Link to article
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