Three Flying Training Organizations Inaugurated at Khajuraho, Madhya Pradesh

• 26 Jul 2023

Why In News?

On July 25, 2023, Union Civil Aviation and Steel Minister Jyotiraditya M. Scindia inaugurated three Flying Training Organizations (FTOs) at Khajuraho in Madhya Pradesh.

Key Points:

• With the opening of three FTOs in Khajuraho, the total number of FTOs in Madhya Pradesh will go up to six – three in Khajuraho, one in Indore, one in Sagar and one in Guna. These six FTOs will become a major means of ensuring contribution by the youth in the development of the region.
• On this occasion, Union Minister Jyotiraditya M. Scindia also announced to start wide body aircraft service between Khajuraho and Varanasi soon.
• Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia said that in the last nine years, the number of airports, water airports and heliports in the country has increased from 74 to 148, which we will be able to increase to more than 200 in the coming 4 years. At the same time, the aircraft capacity has increased from 400 to 700, that is, there has been an increase of 75%, which we will be able to take from 1200 to 1500 in the coming four to five years.
• He informed that in 2016 there were only 28 flying academies in the country, which have now increased to 57. Last year, 1135 commercial pilots' licenses were issued by the Directorate of Civil Aviation (DGCA), which is a record in itself. This year, that number has increased to 731 in just five months.
• Indian Flying Academy: Indian Flying Academy is a unit of Shaurya Flight Sim Pvt. Ltd, established at Khajuraho airport under the 'Atmanirbhar Bharat' initiative by the Prime Minister.
• It has acquired 05 aircraft, out of which 04 have already arrived. Out of these 04 aircraft, 03 aircraft are single-engine aircraft which include two Diamond DA 40, one Evector and one multi-engine aircraft-Diamond DA 42.
• Indian Flying Academy will have a capacity of 40 students for flying training per batch and FTO will have 2 batches per year.
• Flyola Aviation Academy (JetServe Aviation Pvt Ltd) - Helicopter FTO: Flyola Aviation Academy Helicopter FTO is Asia's first Commercial Helicopter Pilot License (CHPL) training institute. Flyola Aviation Academy currently has two Robinson R44 helicopters in its fleet and has a capacity of 20 students for flight training at a time.