Pilot academy will bring many benefits

Airlines in India and other parts of the world might soon be able to cut their wage bills and increase the efficiency of their pilots. This will be possible because of the new pilot training academy which opens its doors in Noida, on the outskirts of Delhi in the next 13-14 months. The facility, a three-way joint-venture between Canadian CAE, European aircraft manufacturer Airbus and Gurgaon-based InterGlobe, will be in a position to eventually train 4,000 to 5,000 pilots annually.
The academy is designed to help pilots undergo different types of training. “The facility takes existing pilots who have to go back for training every six months, which includes the need to go through and show proficiency in flying an aircraft. It is also meant for new cadet pilots who need to obtain pilot rating certificates and for pilots who are migrating from one aircraft type to another,” said Mr Jeff Roberts, Group President, Civil Simulation Products, Training and Services, CAE.
Incidentally, a pilot has to undergo training at least twice a year — the first time in the instruments on an aircraft and the other on local training checks, done on a simulator. The first training lasts about five days. In addition, pilots flying with airlines in India also need to undergo special training before the monsoon season and CAT-II training, which allows them to operate in inclement weather.
Besides, a pilot needs more training as he or she gains more experience and moves on to becoming a captain and finally a check pilot.
“On an average, a pilot is available for about 200 days in a year. If an airline can save on travel time for getting the mandatory training done, it will translate into a big saving for it, both in cost and time. In that sense the Noida facility will help improve availability of pilots for an airline,” said an industry analyst.
20/11/11 Ashwini Phadnis/Business Line