Aspiring pilots flying abroad for training

Mumbai: Hundreds of aspiring pilots are looking beyond India’s borders for their training. Not too long ago, they chose to stay closer to home, where flight academies were substantially cheaper than those abroad. Against an aviation boom and intense demand for pilot’s licences, that has changed.
Now, several academies overseas boast special sections on their websites to attract Indian students, while others are partnering with Indian schools.
But while students are turning to overseas options because they hope to get their training and licence quicker, they find themselves in for a long wait upon their return: exams to convert their foreign licences into Indian commercial licences are held only every three months. And regulations demand that conversions be done within six months—meaning, if students don’t pass, they likely have to leave again for training.
According to the Federation of Indian Airlines, or FIA, a lobbying body of domestic carriers, the unmet demand for pilots in the Indian aviation industry is at more than 4,500. To cope with the shortfall, many airlines have hired foreigners to fly their planes.
Earlier, Indian flying schools had a cost advantage, with courses here costing about Rs6 lakh less than similar courses overseas.
Today, aviation courses in India can cost anywhere between Rs10 lakh and Rs18 lakh, while a similar course in the US could cost Rs18 lakh (about $45,000).
19/01/08 Jeetha D’Silva and P.R. Sanjai/Livemint