In India, civil aviation is regulated by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) which recognizes 35 (as of 2023) Flying Training Organisations (FTO) for flight training and seven (including one in Singapore) Aircraft Type Training Organisations or Approved Training Organisations (ATO) for type rating. [1] In Indian Armed Forces, aircraft are used by the Indian Air Force, the Army Aviation Corps, the Indian Naval Air Arm, and the Indian Coast Guard, who train officers at their military establishments.
Institute | State/UT | Type | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
Academy of Carver Aviation | Maharashtra | Private | |
Ahmedabad Aviation & Aeronautics | Gujarat | Public | |
Alchemist Aviation | Jharkhand | Private | |
Ambitions Flying Club | Uttar Pradesh | Private | |
Asia Pacific Flight Training Academy | Telangana | Private | |
Banasthali Vidyapith Gliding & Flying Club | Rajasthan | Society | |
Bihar Flying Institute | Bihar | State-owned | |
Blue Ray Aviation | Maharashtra | Private | |
Bombay Flying Club | Maharashtra | Society | The oldest flying club in India |
Chetak Aviation | Uttar Pradesh | Society | |
Chimes Aviation Academy | Madhya Pradesh | Private | |
Dunes Aviation Academy | Gujarat | Trust | |
EKVI Air Training Organisation | Tamil Nadu | Private | |
Falcon Aviation Academy | Uttar Pradesh | Trust | |
Flytech Aviation Academy | Telangana | Public | |
FSTC Flying School | Haryana | Private | Subsidiary of type rating company FSTC |
Garg Aviation | Uttar Pradesh | Private | |
Government Aviation Training Institute | Odisha | State-owned | |
Government Flying Training School | Karnataka | State-owned | |
Gujarat Flying Club | Gujarat | Section 25 company | |
Haryana Institute of Civil Aviation | Haryana | State-owned | |
Indian Flying Academy | Madhya Pradesh | Private | |
Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Uran Akademi | Uttar Pradesh | Centre-owned | Autonomous institution under the Ministry of Civil Aviation |
Jet Serve Aviation | Madhya Pradesh | Private | |
Madhya Pradesh Flying Club | Madhya Pradesh | Public | |
Nagpur Flying Club | Maharashtra | State-owned | |
National Flying Training Institute | Maharashtra | Private | Joint venture between CAE Inc. and Airports Authority of India |
Orient Flights Aviation Academy | Karnataka | Private | |
Patiala Aviation Club | Punjab | State-owned | |
Pioneer Flying Academy | Uttar Pradesh | Private | |
Rajiv Gandhi Academy for Aviation Technology | Kerala | State-owned | |
Redbird Flight Training Academy | Maharashtra | Private | |
Saraswati Aviation Academy | Uttar Pradesh | Trust | |
Sha-Shib Flying Academy | Madhya Pradesh | Society | |
Skynex Aero Pvt. Ltd. | Delhi | Private | |
SVKM NMIMS Academy of Aviation | Maharashtra | Private | |
Telangana State Aviation Academy | Telangana | State-owned | |
Wings Aviation | Telangana | Private |
Institute | Aircraft | Note |
---|---|---|
AGIPL (Airbus India) | A320 | |
Boeing Singapore | B737 MAX, B787 | India's only foreign ATO |
CAE Bangalore | A320, B737NG | |
CSTPL | A320, B737 MAX | |
CTE, Air India | A320, ATR 72-600, B737-800, B777, B787 | |
FSTC India | A320, ATR 72-600, B737-800, Q400 | Also approved by EASA for A320neo |
Hatsoff Helicopter Training | AS365 Dauphin, Bell 412, HAL Dhruv | Joint venture between Hindustan Aeronautics and CAE Inc |
Army Aviation Corps is the aviation branch of the Indian Army. Their inventory consists of helicopters.
School | Location | Note |
---|---|---|
Basic Flying Training School | Prayagraj | Indian Air Force station |
Combat Army Aviation Training School | Nashik | Main training school |
Training Command is responsible for training Indian Air Force officers who are trained at Flying Training Establishments (FTE). Officers undergo basic Stage-I training at the Air Force Academy and after trifurcating them into Fighter, Transport, and Helicopter streams, they are send to the respective FTEs for Stage-II (advanced) and Stage-III (specialization) training. [4]
School | Station | Level | Stream | Note |
---|---|---|---|---|
Air Force Academy | Dundigal AFS | Stage I | — | Common to all officers |
Air Force School | Kalaikunda AFS | Stage III | Fighter | |
Fighter Training Wing | Hakimpet AFS | Stage II | Fighter | |
Helicopter Training School | Hakimpet AFS | Stage II | Helicopter | |
Hawk Operational Training Squadron | Bidar AFS | Stage III | Fighter | |
Weapon System Operators' School | Bidar AFS | Stage III | Fighter | Weapon systems officer training |
Fixed Wing Training Faculty | Yelahanka AFS | Stage II Stage III | Transport | |
No. 112 Helicopter Unit, IAF | Yelahanka AFS | Stage III | Helicopter |
Indian Naval Air Arm is the naval aviation branch of the Indian Navy. Officers undergo a mandatory Naval Orientation Course at the Indian Naval Academy [5] and take a pre-flying training at School for Naval Airmen and are send to either Air Force Academy or Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Uran Akademi for ab-initio flying training. On completion, they are trifurcated into Fighter, Fixed wing, and Rotary wing streams and send to respective training stations for advanced training and specialization. [6]
School | Location | Stream | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
Air Force Academy | Dundigal | — | Indian Air Force station |
Fixed Wing Training Faculty | Yelahanka AFS | Fixed wing | Indian Air Force station |
Helicopter Training School | INS Rajali | Rotary wing | |
INAS 322 | INS Garuda | Rotary wing | Operational conversion to multi-engine helicopters |
INAS 330 | INS Shikra | Rotary wing | Operational conversion to multi-engine helicopters |
INAS 333 | INS Dega | Rotary wing | Operational conversion to multi-engine helicopters |
INAS 336 | INS Garuda | Rotary wing | Operational conversion to multi-engine helicopters |
INAS 339 | INS Hansa | Rotary wing | Operational conversion to multi-engine helicopters |
INAS 550 | INS Venduruthy | Fixed wing | Dornier Operational Flying Training course |
INAS 551 | INS Dega | Fighter | Naval Orientation Flying in advanced jet trainer |
INAS 300 | INS Hansa | Fighter | Operational conversion to MiGs |
Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Uran Akademi | Fursatganj Airfield | — | |
School for Naval Airmen | INS Garuda | — | Pre-flying training |
School | Location | Stream | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
Air Force Academy | Dundigal | — | Indian Air Force station |
Coast Guard Flying Training Squadron | Daman | Fixed wing | |
Helicopter Training School | INS Rajali | Rotary wing | |
Indian Coast Guard Academy | Mangalore | — | Under construction |
Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Uran Akademi | Fursatganj Airfield | — |
The Bangladesh Air Force (BAF) is the aerial warfare branch of the Bangladesh Armed Forces. The air force is primarily responsible for air defence of Bangladesh's sovereign territory as well as providing air support to the Bangladesh Army and Bangladesh Navy. Furthermore, the BAF has a territorial role in providing tactical and strategic air transport and logistics capability for the country.
The Army Air Corps (AAC) is the aviation arm of the British Army, first formed in 1942 during the Second World War by grouping the various airborne units of the British Army. Today, there are eight regiments of the AAC, as well as two independent flights and two independent squadrons deployed in support of British Army operations around the world. Regiments and flights are located in the United Kingdom, Kenya, and Canada. Some AAC squadrons provide the air assault elements of 16 Air Assault Brigade Combat Team, through Joint Aviation Command.
The Air Corps is the air force of Ireland. Organisationally a military branch of the Defence Forces of Ireland, the Air Corps utilises a fleet of fixed-wing aircraft and rotorcraft to carry out a variety of duties in conjunction with the Irish Army, Irish Naval Service and Garda Síochána. The headquarters of the Air Corps is located at the Casement Aerodrome in Baldonnel, Dublin. The Air Corps has an active establishment of 886 personnel. Like other components of the Defence Forces, it has struggled to maintain strength and as of April 2023 has only 711 active personnel. Unlike the Army or the Naval Service, the Air Corps does not maintain a reserve component.
The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) is a maritime law enforcement and search and rescue agency of India with jurisdiction over its territorial waters including its contiguous zone and exclusive economic zone. It was started on 1 February 1977 and formally established on 18 August 1978 by the Coast Guard Act, 1978 of the Parliament of India. It operates under the Ministry of Defence.
An aircrew flying badge is the badge worn on the left breast, above any medal ribbons, by qualified aircrew in the Royal Air Force, Royal Navy, British Army, Indian Air Force, Pakistan Air Force, Royal Canadian Air Force, Royal Australian Navy, Australian Army, Royal Australian Air Force, Royal New Zealand Air Force, South African Air Force and Sri Lanka Air Force. An example of a real pilot brevet is shown:
The National Defence Academy (NDA) is the joint defence service training institute of the Indian Armed Forces, where cadets of the Indian Army, Indian Navy, and Indian Air Force train together before they go on to their respective service academy for further pre-commission training. The NDA is located in Khadakwasla, Pune, Maharashtra. It is the first tri-service academy in the world.
The Fleet Air Arm (FAA), known formerly as the Australian Navy Aviation Group, is the division of the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) responsible for the operation of aircraft. The FAA was founded in 1947 following the purchase of two aircraft carriers from the Royal Navy. FAA personnel fought in the Korean War and the Vietnam War, and participated in later conflicts and operations from host warships.
The Portuguese Air Force is the aerial warfare force of Portugal. Locally it is referred to by the acronym FAP but internationally is often referred to by the acronym PRTAF. It is the youngest of the three branches of the Portuguese Armed Forces.
Oakey Army Aviation Centre is situated approximately 3 km (1.9 mi) from the town centre of Oakey in Queensland, Australia. It provides a training establishment for Australian Army Aviation, and also hosts the Republic of Singapore Air Force's "Cougar" 126 Squadron. The Defence name for the facility is Swartz Barracks, named for prominent politician, Army Aviation advocate, and ex-POW Sir Reginald Swartz.
The Sri Lanka Air Force is the air arm and the youngest of the Sri Lanka Armed Forces. It was founded in 1951 as the Royal Ceylon Air Force (RCyAF) with the assistance of the Royal Air Force (RAF). The SLAF played a major role throughout the Sri Lankan Civil War. The SLAF operates more than 160 aircraft.
Indian Air Force Academy, Dundigal is a Defence Service training institute located in Medchal-Malkajgiri district 43 km (27 mi) from Hyderabad, in the Indian state of Telangana.
Bilaspur Airport, officially known as Bilasa Devi Kevat Airport, is a domestic airport serving the city of Bilaspur, Chhattisgarh, India. It is located at Chakarbhata, 10 km (6.2 mi) south from the city centre. The airport made by the Royal Indian Air Force in 1942, making it the first and oldest airport of Chhattisgarh. It is owned by the Airports Authority of India. In 1980s, the airport was used by Vayudoot to provide flights to Bhopal, Nagpur, Mumbai and Delhi. Currently, commercial scheduled flights are operated by Alliance Air to Bhopal, Delhi, Jabalpur and Prayagraj. It is named after Bilasa Bai Kevtin, a renowned 16th-century personality known for her bravery and courage to fight against difficult situations, who belonged to a fishermen tribe residing near the Arpa River.
Karnal Aerodrome is being operated as a pilot training institute owned and operated by the Haryana Institute of Civil Aviation (HICA) under the guidance of the Civil Aviation Department, Government of Haryana. The flying school is spread over an area of 104 acres and is situated about 3 km east of Karnal in the state of Haryana, India.
Admiral Arun Prakash, PVSM, AVSM, VrC, VSM is a former Flag Officer of the Indian Navy. He served as the Chief of the Naval Staff from 31 July 2004 to 31 October 2006 and as the Chairman of the Chiefs of Staff Committee from 31 January 2005 to 31 October 2006. He is one of India's most decorated naval officers.
The Army Aviation Corps (AAC) is the youngest arm of the Indian Army, being formally designated on 1 November 1986. The Army Aviation Corps units are designated as Squadrons. Each squadron generally consists of two Flights. Reconnaissance (Recce) and Observation flights might be part of squadrons or operate independently. The latter do not have a parent squadron and are designated by an (I) in their name.
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) is a statutory body of the Government of India to regulate civil aviation in India. It became a statutory body under the Aircraft (Amendment) Act, 2020. The DGCA investigates aviation accidents and incidents, maintains all regulations related to aviation and is responsible for issuance of licenses pertaining to aviation like PPL's, SPL's and CPL's in India. It is headquartered along Sri Aurobindo Marg, opposite Safdarjung Airport, in New Delhi. The Government of India is planning to replace the organisation with a Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), modelled on the lines of the American Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
A squadron in an air force, or naval or army aviation service, is a unit comprising a number of military aircraft and their aircrews, usually of the same type, typically with 12 to 24 aircraft, sometimes divided into three or four flights, depending on aircraft type and air force.
INS Garuda, is an Indian naval air station located in Kochi, in the state of Kerala. Commissioned on 11 May 1953, it is the oldest operating air station of the Indian Navy.
Aviation in India can be broadly divided into military and civil aviation. India has an extensive civilian air transportation network and is amongst the fastest-growing aviation markets in the world according to the International Air Transport Association (IATA).
Rajiv Gandhi Academy for Aviation Technology (RAGAAT) is a state-owned pilot training institute run by the Government of Kerala, India. It is situated at the Thiruvananthapuram International Airport. Originally founded as Kerala Flying Club, a private flying club in 1959 by G. V. Raja, it was bought by the state government in 1981. In 2006, the institute was approved by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) as a Flying Training Organisation (FTO). As of 2022, RAGAAT is the only pilot training institute in Kerala and one among the 34 FTOs in India. The institute has both single and twin-engine aircraft.