On the ground there are 34 DGCA approved Flying Training Organisations (FTOs) at 52 bases (November 2022 data), being run under the central and State governments, as well as the private sector. In addition, there are about six approved aviation training centres with 40 simulators. While the data and plans look rosy, there are more serious issues dogging the industry, which senior crew and cadet pilots highlight. (Mohan) Ranganathan, a former airline instructor pilot and aviation safety adviser and also a former member of the Civil Aviation Safety Advisory Council, says the pilot shortage is most acute in the captain’s category. The senior pilot also adds the point that pilot cadet programmes need to be strictly monitored, with a transparent breakup of the money being charged.

Source: The Hindu October 08, 2023 14:04 UTC