Market Intelligence: Indian Subcontinent

Air India Orders 34 Trainer Aircraft for its New Flight School

  •  Air India has placed an order for 31 single-engine aircraft from Piper Aircraft and 3 twin-engine aircraft from Diamond Aircraft
  • Delivery of the aircraft will begin in 2025, strengthening Air India’s commitment to power India’s aviation ecosystem in the coming years

Air India, India’s leading global airline, has placed an order for 34 trainer aircraft as it prepares to start training of cadet pilots at South Asia’s largest Flying Training Organisation (FTO) coming up in Amravati, Maharashtra by the second half of 2025, post regulatory approvals.

The order includes 31 single-engine aircraft from Piper Aircraft in the United States and 3 twin-engine aircraft from Diamond Aircraft in Austria.

The FTO is a leap forward in Air India’s commitment to bolster its training infrastructure as part of its Vihaan.AI transformation program and cultivate a pipeline of pilots as it expands its fleet, becoming self-reliant.

The trainer aircraft, due for delivery starting 2025, are equipped with glass cockpits, G1000 avionics systems and Jet A1 engines that will ensure advanced training for aspiring pilots.

The FTO is coming up at Amravati’s Belora airport and will target to graduate 180 commercial pilots every year.

“The new FTO is a strategic move to exponentially expand our training infrastructure and our commitment to building a self-reliant ecosystem of qualified pilots for both Air India and the Indian aviation industry. With this order of 34 trainer aircraft to support South Asia’s largest Flying Training Organisation, we are delighted to be playing a part in building the aviation infrastructure India needs as one of the world’s fastest-growing aviation markets and to support the government’s vision for an Atmanirbhar Bharat,”said Sunil Bhaskaran, Director, Aviation Academy, Air India.

As part of its commitment to invest in aviation training, Air India opened its new Aviation Training Academy, spread over 600,000 sq ft, the largest in South Asia, in Gurugram. It is also the first airline in India to announce the setting up of an FTO that will complement Air India’s commitment to power India’s aviation ecosystem in the coming years.

At the FTO in Amravati, Air India is developing a state-of-the-art training institute over 10 acres, with digitally enabled classrooms at par with global academies, hostels, a digitized operations center, and its own maintenance facility to elevate operational efficiency. The FTO is curated to deliver best-in-class training with high safety standards.

Source: Air India

Related Posts

Air India Training Academy Growing to Become South Asia’s Largest Aviation Training Institute

Gurugram, India – Air India’s Training Academy, located on a sprawling 600,000-square-foot campus in Gurugram, stands to grow to become South Asia’s largest aviation training institution, designed to support the airline’s vision of becoming a world-class carrier. With state-of-the-art facilities and comprehensive programs, the academy aims to develop industry-ready aviation professionals, bolstering India’s rapidly growing aviation market.

  • Pilot Training Expansion:
    • Plans to establish 20 Full Flight Simulator (FFS) bays for Airbus and Boeing fleets in collaboration with OEMs.
    • Advanced simulators will enhance pilot readiness for upcoming aircraft deliveries.
  • Comprehensive Training Offerings:
    • Cabin crew training in Safety and Emergency Procedures (SEP), service protocols, grooming, and voice and accent skills.
    • Ground and security staff training in departure control, customer service, and airport security.
    • Management training programs in commercial operations, HR, and leadership.
  • Focus on Practical Learning:
    • Immersive and real-world training experiences, such as Door Training for emergency and routine operational procedures.
    • Facilities equipped to simulate real-life scenarios, enabling crew to handle emergencies seamlessly.

Future Plans

  • Scaling Training Capacity:
    • The academy aims to train over 50,000 Air India professionals, including pilots, cabin crew, ground staff, engineers, and security personnel, in the coming years.
  • Expansion Projects:
    • Flying Training Organisation (FTO) in Amravati, Maharashtra, featuring 31 single-engine and 3 twin-engine aircraft.
    • A new Aircraft Maintenance Engineering (AME) school to ensure a steady supply of skilled engineers for Air India’s modern fleet.

Statements

  • Sunil Bhaskaran, Director of the Air India Training Academy, remarked: “To fulfill our goals of becoming a world-class airline, we have invested in building a state-of-the-art integrated training academy in Gurugram. It brings to life Air India’s ambition to establish best-in-class training for all aviation disciplines.”

Source: Air India

Related Posts

Indian Flight Training Group Chimes Aviation Academy Highlights Fleet Expansion in 2024

Gurgaon, India – Chimes Aviation Academy (CAA), which operates two flight training bases in India and recently announced an order to expand its fleet with additional training aircraft, has reflected on a successful 2024 marked by significant milestones, including a major fleet expansion to enhance its training capabilities.

  • The academy added three new aircraft to its training fleet:
    • 2 Tecnam P2010 TDI
    • 1 Diamond DA 42

It also celebrate the fifth anniversary of its partnership with IndiGo, one of India’s largest and most respected airlines.

Source: Chimes Aviation Academy
Photo Credit: Chimes Aviation Academy

Related Posts

Air India Cadet’s Complete Ground School Head to AeroGuard Flight Training Center in the US in 2025

Phoenix, United States headquartered global flight training group AeroGuard Flight Training Center, which operates a number of flight training bases in the United States, has congratulated Batch 3 of the Air India Cadets for completing the Ground School portion at the Air India Training Academy in partnership with ThePilot.In

The Air India cadet pilot program individuals start their training journey at the Air India Training Academy for their Ground School phase and gain exposure to the airlines culture. After completing their ground school training and exams in India, the cadets will come to AeroGuard’s Phoenix, Arizona base in the United States to conduct their flight training and establish the skills required for their professional pilot careers with Air India.

About AeroGuard Flight Training Center
AeroGuard Flight Training Center is a global leader in ab initio flight training with three U.S. campuses that offer accelerated commercial pilot training programs to candidates from all over the world. With a commitment to safety and student success, AeroGuard’s high quality training has established airline-ready cadets for over 20 years with more than one million flight hours of training experience and graduating over 7,000 cadets.

Source: AeroGuard Flight Training Center

Related Posts

Avion and Gen24 FLYBIZ to Open new Avion Flight Training Centre Mumbai in 2025

Mumbai, India – Avion, an innovative provider of pilot training devices headquartered in the Netherlands, and Gen24 FLYBIZ will open a new Avion Flight Training Centre at Juhu Aerodrome in Mumbai India.

“For years, Juhu Aerodrome has been the heart of helicopter operations. Now, it’s ready for another first. Juhu Aerodrome is set to welcome the Avion Flight Training Centre Mumbai, which will become the first Approved Training Organisation (ATO) in the Western Region. AFTC Mumbai will operate the industry’s most innovative and sustainable Full Flight Simulators, continuing the airfield’s legacy as a pioneer in Indian aviation.” shared Avion.

In December 2024 Avion announced the installation of the first Avion manufactured A320neo full flight simulator in Mumbai, representing the first of six Full Flight Simulators planned for the Avion Flight Training Centre in Mumbai.

Manoj Pandey, Group CEO of Avion and Gen24 FLYBIZ, shared his excitement in December stating “The installation of this state-of -the-art Airbus A320 Full Flight Simulator in Mumbai is a proud moment for us. It underscores our commitment to supporting aviation professionals with cutting-edge training solutions and expanding our footprint in the Asia-Pacific region. At AFTC Mumbai, we are creating a world -class hub for pilot training in India that aligns with the evolving needs of the industry. ”

The second Full Flight Simulator has also arrived at the facility, and installation shall be undertaken shortly. The centre will also be equipped with a Fixed Base FNPT II-MCC for A320 in April 2025.

Source: Avion

Related Posts

Pilot Training Industry Supplier Feature – Elite Simulation Solutions

In this week’s AFM Pilot Training Leadership Interview Series we speak with Christopher Reville – Chief Commercial Officer at ELITE Simulation Solutions AG, a global provider of IFR train­ing soft­ware, flight con­trols and flight train­ing devices.

The conversation covers:

  1. Evolution and Product Range: ELITE Simulation Solutions, founded in 1987, began as a simulation software company and evolved into a global solution provider of flight training devices. They offer a wide range of products, from basic desktop simulators to advanced flight simulators for both fixed-wing and rotary-wing aircraft, catering to civilian, military, and educational sectors.
  2. Customizable Solutions and Innovation: A key strength of ELITE is its ability to develop tailored solutions for clients, thanks to in-house control over both hardware and software. This agility enables the company to adapt quickly to specific customer needs, such as developing bespoke dual-pilot configurations or integrating unique avionics setups.
  3. Global Reach and Impact: With installations across the world, including in the US, Europe, Africa, and Asia, ELITE’s devices serve various organizations, from universities and flight schools to government aviation authorities. Recent projects include the delivery of an FNPT II simulator to Brno University of Technology in the Czech Republic, a Basic Aviation Training Device (BATD) for Cameroon’s Ministry of Interior Civil Aviation Authority, and an A320 FTD Level 4 simulator in Santiago, Chile.
  4. Commitment to Quality and Safety: ELITE emphasizes Swiss-engineered precision, ensuring high-quality flight models that meet and exceed regulatory standards. Their devices are designed to provide realistic training and enhance safety through accurate simulation of high-risk scenarios, thereby preparing pilots effectively.
  5. Industry Trends and Forward-Thinking Vision: The company is actively tracking trends like VR, mixed reality, and emerging aircraft types such as UAVs and EVTOLs. While cautious about adopting new technology, ELITE prioritizes meaningful advancements that improve training value, focusing on enhancing safety and cost efficiency for flight schools and aviation organizations.

For more information:

You can find all of the AFM.aero Pilot Training Industry Interview Episodes here.

To stay up to date and get notified about all of the latest episodes from AFM you can follow us through the below platforms:

Related Posts