Rajiv Gandhi academy needs infrastructure, not aircraft

Thiruvananthapuram: Finance minister KM Mani sanctioned Rs 6 crore to the Rajiv Gandhi Academy for Aviation Technology (RGAAT) in this year’s budget to buy a twin-engine aircraft and start new courses. It is a small consolation for an institution functioning out of a rented building. A RGAAT official said lobbyists are trying to increase spend on aircraft purchase while the real focus should be on infrastructure.

By mid-year, RGAAT will have five single-engine aircrafts and one simulator while only two of their 45 students enrolled for training have obtained a Commercial Pilot Licence (CPL) clocking 200 flying hours. Students, who obtained CPL, completed a major portion of their course elsewhere.
“One of the reasons for the dismal performance of students is the lack of infrastructure. We have to operate out of the Trivandrum airport’s airstrip that is shared by the Air Force and commercial flights. We are given last priority for take-offs . What RGAAT needs immediately is a new hangar and a new academy building, only then can courses like flight dispatch and cabin crew training, mentioned by the finance minister, be introduced,” said an official from the academy.
21/03/12 Sangeetha Nair/Times of India