Lok Sabha Question No. 921 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-02-08
Subject: Institution to Produce World Class Aviation Professionals
Ministry: CIVIL AVIATION
Asked by: Sunil Kumar Singh, Ranjeetsingh Naik Nimbalkar, Saikia Dilip, Sudhakar Tukaram Shrangre, Naranbhai Bhikhabhai Kachhadiya, Bidyut Baran Mahato

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CIVIL AVIATION LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. : 921

(To be answered on the 8 th  February 2024)

## INSTITUTION TO PRODUCE WORLD CLASS AVIATION PROFESSIONALS

921.

SHRI SUNIL KUMAR SINGH

SHRI RANJEETSINGH NAIK NIMBALKAR

SHRI DILIP SAIKIA

SHRI SUDHAKAR TUKARAM SHRANGARE

SHRI NARANBHAI KACHHADIYA

SHRI BIDYUT BARAN MAHATO

Will the Minister of CIVIL AVIATION

be pleased to state:-

- (a)  whether the Government plans to establish institution of caliber to produce world class aviation professionals and if so, the details thereof; (b) if not, the reasons for relying on foreign institutions to meet its aviation training and production needs; and
- (c) the remedial steps taken by the Government in this regard?

## ANSWER

Minister of State in the Ministry of CIVIL AVIATION

(GEN. (DR) V. K. SINGH (RETD))

(a) to (d) Yes Sir, the Government has established Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Uran Akademi (IGRUA) at Amethi (Uttar Pradesh). It is an autonomous body under the control of the Ministry of Civil Aviation, Government of India. IGRUA's flying hours and CPL issued are as follows:-

| Year      | Fleet   | Flying Hours   | CPL issued   |
|-----------|---------|----------------|--------------|
| 2017      | 24      | 15,382 14,699  | 50 73        |
| 2018 2019 | 23 23   | 15,137         | 67           |
| 2020      | 20      | 11,641         | 43           |
| 2021      | 18      | 19,019         | 61           |
| 2022      | 17      | 18,622         | 66           |
| 2023      | 15      | 11,145         | 98           |

As part of the Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav in March 2021, IGRUA has started flying training on all days of the week which will continue in 2024 also. This

- will boost its operational hours significantly. To  ensure  continuation  of  training  activities  throughout  the  year  for increasing production of IGRUA, the satellite base at Gondia, Maharashtra has been permanently made the second flying base by obtaining required DGCA approvals.  All facilities for carrying out inspection and maintenance have been established in the additional base. The  Rajiv  Gandhi  National  Aviation  University  (RGNAU)  has  been established by an Act of Parliament viz. Rajiv Gandhi National Aviation University Act, 2013 at Fursatganj Amethi, Uttar Pradesh. The University has been envisaged as the Premier Institution of higher learning within the aviation milieu aimed at providing cutting edge aviation professional and critical research to enhance the Aviation Industry in India. Presently, three courses are being offered by the University as below: a.    Post Graduate Diploma in Airport Operations (PGDAO) 18 months course (including 06 months internship)
- b.    Bachelor of Management Studies in Aviation Services and Air Cargo (BMS) - 36 months course (including 12 months internship)
- c.    Basic Fire Fighters Course (BFFC) 06 months course

In order to meet the requirement of aviation training and increase the domestic training capacity, the government has taken the following steps:(i) In 2020, Ministry of Civil Aviation approved liberalized FTO guidelines wherein the concept of airport royalty (revenue share payment by FTOs to AAI) has been abolished and land rentals have been significantly rationalized. (ii) In 2021, after a competitive bidding process, AAI awarded nine FTO slots at five airports at Belagavi (Karnataka), Jalgaon (Maharashtra), Kalaburagi (Karnataka), Khajuraho (Madhya Pradesh) and Lilabari (Assam). Currently, eight of these FTO slots are operational: two each at Jalgaon, Kalaburagi and Khajuraho, one each at Lilabari, Belagavi (iii) In June 2022, after a competitive bidding process, six more FTO slots were awarded by AAI at five airports namely: Bhavnagar (Gujarat), Hubballi (Karnataka), Kadapa (Andhra Pradesh), Kishangarh (Rajasthan) and Salem (Tamil Nadu). Currently, one FTO slot at Salem (Tamil Nadu) is operational. (iv) The DGCA approves Drone Training Schools as per the Drone Rules 2021. Under these Rules, currently, 80 drone training schools have been approved for providing drone training/skilling across the country. Till date, these training schools have certified 9140 drone pilots. (v) At present, there 36 FTOs operating at 57 bases for providing CPL training in the country.

Airports  Authority  of  India  (AAI)  in-association  with  National  Skill Development Centre (NSDC) & Aerospace & Aviation Sector Skill Council (AASSC) has set up Aviation Skill Centres at Chandigarh and Mumbai to augment the availability of Skilled Manpower in Aviation Sector. Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has already implemented CAR -147(Basic) for approval of Aircraft Maintenance Training Organizations to harmonize the best international practices and more practical training in order to fulfil aviation industry requirements.

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