Latest news with #FaizAhmedKidwai
New Indian Express
01-06-2025
- Business
- New Indian Express
All-weather condition: DGCA says will begin new training module for pilots
NEW DELHI: To ensure enhanced safety for flyers and meet the expected demand for pilots in the future, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has decided to give the green light to an internationally recognised pilot training programme. The process of introducing Multi-Crew Pilot Licence (MPL) training with advanced flight simulators is under way. Speaking to this newspaper, the DGCA director general Faiz Ahmed Kidwai said, 'MPL, recognised by the International Civil Aviation Organisation, differs from the traditional Commercial Pilot Licence (CPL) Training based on single pilot operations. This will focus on the development of pilot competencies required to operate in multi-crew environments right from the start. It will integrate theory and simulator training to ensure that pilots are better prepared for the commercial aviation industry.' The hours spent on the flight simulators would be added to the required flying hours of the pilots, he added. Loss of control in flight is reported as the leading cause of fatal accidents in airlines. 'In MPL, entry-level first officers will benefit through a specially-designed programme that imparts lessons on managing and mitigation of airline-specific operations and threats that have been collated over decades,' Kidwai said. There are over 38 simulators presently in India and a good number would be purchased for use in MPL, he added. The booming Indian aviation sector will need over 1,700 new pilots annually. 'MPL training will ensure fewer training disruptions that are caused in the traditional method due to bad flying weather and shortage of instructors,' the official said, adding that the new module would also result in a reduced reliance on foreign pilots. By switching to modern simulators, it reduces the exposure of students to the risks of serious and often fatal accidents that happen during the primary flight training phase in the traditional system, he added. Another major benefit is that because of reduced hours spent on the aircraft in MPL training, more cadets would be able to train at Flying Training Organisations, he said.
&w=3840&q=100)
Business Standard
27-05-2025
- Business
- Business Standard
Arts, commerce students may soon be eligible for pilot training: DGCA
Students from arts and commerce backgrounds may soon be able to train as commercial pilots, following a proposal by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) to end the longstanding science-only eligibility rule for pilot training. Currently, Indian regulations require students to have studied physics and maths in Class 12 to qualify for Commercial Pilot Licence (CPL) training. If the new rule is approved, students from all streams who have passed Class 12 would be able to pursue pilot training—subject to medical and other eligibility tests. 'The DGCA recommendation has been sent to the aviation ministry. Once they finalise it, this ministry will send it to the law ministry to notify the change. When that happens, the change will come into effect,' a senior official told The Times of India. India's unique science requirement Until the mid-1990s, even Class 10 pass students could train to be pilots. Officials noted that India is the only country that still requires science subjects for CPL training. They argue that this requirement is outdated, as basic physics and maths are already taught in earlier school years. Many arts and commerce students have had to reappear for Class 12 with physics and maths through open schools to qualify for CPL training. Flying schools see reforms on the horizon With more students expected to take up pilot training, the DGCA has started working to improve flying schools across India. Many aspiring pilots currently go abroad for CPL training due to long training durations and inadequate safety and teaching standards in Indian flying schools. DGCA chief Faiz Ahmed Kidwai, on May 16, ordered all flying schools to create and maintain detailed websites with updated information about training hours, aircraft and instructor numbers, examiners, ground school and simulator availability. This move aims to bring more transparency and help students make informed choices. Kidwai said this would make flying schools 'more competitive, safer, and student-friendly.' Pilot job challenges remain Flying schools warn that while the new eligibility proposal is promising, other issues must be addressed to make pilot training smoother. Becoming a pilot in India is still challenging, with many students taking on large loans. Senior pilots caution future aviators: 'Even after the expensive CPL training and endorsement, getting a job can take a long time. Families must factor in the financial burden and the time lag before employment. The reality is not as rosy as it seems for wannabe pilots,' they said, as quoted by The Times of India.
Time of India
25-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
DGCA gives nod to Class 12 arts & commerce students becoming commercial pilots in India; seeks ministry approval
NEW DELHI: In a major reform, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has given its nod to changing the educational requirements for becoming a commercial pilot in India by proposing to allow class 12 pass outs from arts and commerce streams to also pursue this course. And no longer limit commercial pilot licence (CPL) training to science students alone, as it has been for almost three decades now. The regulator has sent its recommendation to the Union aviation ministry, which after finalising the amendment, will send the same to the law ministry. That ministry is to notify changes in the current rules which, as of now, require a student to mandatorily have physics and maths in class 12 for CPL training. Once cleared, all class 12 pass outs — subject to clearing medical fitness and other tests — will be eligible to become commercial pilots in India. 'The DGCA recommendation has been sent to the aviation ministry. Once they finalise it, this ministry will send in to the law ministry to notify the change. When that happens, the change will come into effect,' said a senior official. TOI had first reported the move to allow arts and commerce students to do CPL training in India on April 18, 2025. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like The Killer New Toyota 4Runner Is Utter Perfection (Take A Look) MorninJoy Undo Since mid 1990s, CPL training in India is open only for science & maths students. Before that, 10th pass (matric) was the only educational requirement for doing CPL here. Senior captains say no country other than India has this requirement. They term it an archaic requirement that needs to go as the level of physics and maths knowledge required by pilots is imparted in junior classes itself. Over the last 30 years, many arts and commerce students were forced to give Class 12 exam for physics and maths from open school to be eligible for CPL training. Aware of the likely spurt in number of students opting for CPL training once this rule is amended, aviation authorities have already started work on improving flying schools in India. The long time for CPL flying along with questionable safety and training standards of many flying schools in India forces a large number of students to head abroad every year to pursue this expensive course. DGCA chief Faiz Ahmed Kidwai on May 16 directed all flying schools in the country to 'maintain a dedicated website for their organisation' which must have updated information regarding several parameters that include, among other things, the minimum and maximum time taken to complete 200 hours of flying; number of aircraft, instructors, designated examiners, availability of ground school & simulator. DGCA chief Faiz Ahmed Kidwai wants to bring in transparency about flying training organisation (FTOs) so that the information being in public domain based on which students will choose them will make them competitive, safer and student-friendly. On their part, FTOs point out a number of things that DGCA must do to make flying training less painful in India. Becoming a pilot in India is anything but easy — right from training stage to eventually getting a job. Most student pilots come from middle-class families who have taken big loans to give wings to their children's dreams. Senior pilots have a word of caution for all aspiring aviators. 'Even after the expensive CPL traning and endorsement, getting a job can take a long time. If you are planning to become a pilot, the entire family must factor in the financial aspect and the time lag in getting a job after the entire training is complete. The reality is not as rosy as it seems for wannabe pilots. It's a ,' they caution. The changes DGCA has proposed to the eligibility criteria:
Time of India
18-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
DGCA tells flying schools to maintain updated sites
Generative AI NEW DELHI: Aspiring commercial pilots in India will now be able to make an informed choice for a flying training organisation (FTO) to learn the ropes. In a major reform, Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) on Friday directed all flying schools in country to 'maintain a dedicated website' with updated information on several parameters. These include, among other things, minimum and maximum time taken to complete 200 hours of flying; number of aircraft, instructors, designated examiners, availability of ground school and simulators. Apart from clearing DGCA exams and medical tests, completing 200 flying hours is a key requirement to earn a commercial pilot licence (CPL) in India. However, the long time it usually takes to do so due to multiple factors like availability of planes and instructors — apart from other concerns like safety and quality of training at many schools — sends a large number of aspiring Indians pilots abroad every year for CPL training. As reported by TOI on March 23, 2025, DGCA chief Faiz Ahmed Kidwai decided to bring in transparency on FTOs. He sought to do so by requiring them to put information in public domain, based on which students choose them. The aim is to make them competitive, safer and student-friendly. Setting that plan in motion, DGCA wrote to all flying schools in country Friday. 'FTOs advised to maintain a dedicated website… it must be updated regularly. Specified information must be prominently displayed and kept current,' DGCA's letter states.
Time of India
17-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Helping students make right choice: DGCA directs flying schools to display data on website
Faiz Ahmed Kidwai NEW DELHI: Aspiring commercial pilots in India will now be able to make an informed choice for a flying training organisation (FTO) to get trained here. In a major reform, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) on Friday (May 16) directed all flying schools in the country to 'maintain a dedicated website for their organisation' which must have updated information regarding several parameters that include, among other things, the minimum and maximum time taken to complete 200 hours of flying; number of aircraft, instructors, designated examiners, availability of ground school & simulator. Apart from clearing DGCA exams and medical tests, completing 200 flying hours is a key requirement to earn a commercial pilot licence (CPL) in India. However the long time it usually takes to do so here due to multiple factors like availability of planes and instructors — apart from other concerns like safety and quality of training at many schools — sends a large number of aspiring desi pilots abroad every year for CPL training. As reported by TOI on March 23, 2025, DGCA chief Faiz Ahmed Kidwai decided to bring in transparency about FTOs so that the information being in public domain based on which students will choose them will make them competitive, safer and student-friendly. Setting that plan in motion, the DGCA on Friday wrote to all flying schools in the country: 'FTOs are advised to maintain a dedicated website for their organisation. If a website is already in place, it must be updated regularly. The specified information must be prominently displayed and kept current the reference of the cadets on the website. Further, the FTOs will be advised on the additional parameters to be published if any, on their website in due course.' With India planning to make students from arts and commerce stream in Class 12 eligible for CPL, the number of aspiring pilots could rise significantly soon once the requirement of having physics and Maths at that level goes. On their part, some FTO operators on condition of anonymity said they are constrained by issues like trainer shortage. 'Often trainers are those who are still awaiting an airline job. The moment they get the same, they leave. Then FTOs poach each others' 'good' trainers. There are several issues that DGCA has to take care of like ensure quick approval for instructors. It makes business sense for us to train as many as possible and we don't delay for fun or sadistic pleasure,' they said. Another flying school operator said: 'The regulatory body has bigger issues to sort out such as giving computer numbers to aspiring pilot trainees. This can take one to five months. Booking of exam slots is a cumbersome process wherein the website is unable to handle the large number of applications causing outages. Timely issue and renewal of licenses in a transparent manner ( varies from 15 days to 4 months) needs to be ensured.' 'Technical deficiencies in eGCA portal is causing inconvenience to users in executing routine tasks. Routine DGCA approvals and corrections which can be done in a few hours take several weeks due to technical deficiency. Issue of permits and regulatory clearances to imported aircraft or Indian registered aircraft undergoing change of ownership has to be tackled as it takes very long. This delays timeframe within which aircraft can be operational leading to loss of revenue to FTOs. Clearance of an imported trainer can take as much as 3 to 8 months. Timeframe to obtain FTO approval can take 1 to 2 years. There is a need to improve ease of doing business for new operators. The regulatory body must work to improve efficiency of operations and a level playing ground for all FTOs,' another operator said. With all these issues, becoming a pilot in India is anything but easy — right from training stage to eventually getting a job.
