DNA
With no certified agency to train aviation experts, the PMO wants a varsity set up for the same
New Delhi, Nov 5: With the blistering pace of growth in civil aviation, not only is there an ever increasing demand for certified pilots and cabin crew but also for experts in several related disciplines.
Taking note of the lack of a certified agency which can train aviation experts, the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) has asked the Civil Aviation Ministry to work on establishing an ‘Air University’.
The university would train people in disciplines such as aviation economics and catering, aviation financial management and security, etc. The PMO has asked the ministry to come up with a detailed proposal on the university soon.
“We want to set up an expert body, comprising academicians, sector experts for setting up such a university. This panel would examine whether to allow private participation in establishing the Air University,” official sources said here.
“The Government could either look at running the Air University by itself or adopt the Public Private Partnership model. Also, the expert panel would have to decide whether such a university mandatorily needs to be attached to an existing airport for pilot training,” they added.
Also, several initiatives are underway to increase the supply of certified pilots for the domestic market. The Ministry is working on another proposal where examinations for pilots are being streamlined.
At present, such exams are held three to four times a year. But private airlines want these examinations to be held on demand.
“We are devising software for this and examinations on demand should become possible by next year,” sources said.
Another step to ease pilot shortage is being taken in terms of their medical examinations. All medical examinations for even civilian pilots are conducted by the Army Medical Corps.
Since the Corps cannot cope with the increase in number of new pilots, an average waiting time of eight to 10 months is the norm.
The government is now thinking of outsourcing the medical examination for pilots to hospitals.