pilot training Archives - Page 4 of 5

New Delhi, India: In a significant reform for pilot licensing in India, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) will officially begin conducting the Radio Telephony Restricted (Aeronautical) or RTR(A) exam from November 2025, a responsibility that has until now been managed by the Wireless Planning and Coordination (WPC) wing of the Ministry of Communications. This update was first reported by The Hindu following official communication from DGCA sources. This move signals a long-awaited shift aimed at modernising the examination process, improving transparency, and bringing the radio communication licensing directly under the civil aviation regulator. The RTR(A) exam is a compulsory requirement for all pilots seeking a Commercial or Private Pilot Licence in India, as it certifies a pilot's ability to communicate with Air Traffic Control (ATC), a non-negotiable skill in daily aviation operations. The DGCA had been given control of this examination in 2023, but full implementation was delayed due to procedural adjustments, system setup, and resource alignment. With the groundwork now complete, DGCA officials have confirmed that the first sessions under their supervision will begin in November 2025. According to the communication shared with The Hindu, detailed guidelines and schedules will be announced soon. This reform is expected to bring several key benefits to aspiring pilots and the broader aviation training ecosystem: Unified Oversight: With DGCA managing both theoretical exams and the RTR(A) exam, the entire pilot licensing process will now be under one authority, reducing confusion and improving coordination. Faster Processing: Earlier delays in scheduling RTR(A) tests under WPC often led to months-long waits. DGCA is expected to offer more frequent and timely exam windows. Better Relevance: WPC was a telecommunications authority, not aviation-specific. DGCA’s involvement means that the content and evaluation will be better aligned with real cockpit radio procedures and international norms. Improved Fairness: Pilots and instructors have long pointed to inconsistencies in the old system. DGCA’s testing protocol is expected to offer a more standardised, transparent, and tech-enabled evaluation process. This is especially important for students progressing through India’s CPL training pipeline, where delays in RTR(A) often held up licence issuance even after all other requirements were met. With DGCA now in control, the RTR(A) exam will be treated with the same regulatory seriousness as other aviation-specific assessments. The aviation community has largely welcomed the announcement, calling it a long-overdue upgrade to a process that had been out of step with modern training needs. Training organisations, students, and instructors are now looking forward to the release of official guidelines from DGCA in the coming weeks.

RTR(A) Exam to Be Held by DGCA From November; Move Aims to Cut Delays for Pilots

Aviation Today News Desk / June 11, 2025

New Delhi, India: In a significant reform for pilot licensing in India, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) will […]

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has mandated that all Flying Training Organisations (FTOs) in India update their websites with detailed and accurate information. This includes course details, fee structures, available aircraft and simulators, instructor credentials, hostel facilities, and regulatory approvals. The initiative aims to increase transparency in pilot training, making it easier for aspiring pilots to compare and choose the right school. The DGCA has emphasized prompt compliance and warned of regulatory consequences for those who fail to adhere to the directive.

DGCA, Flight School, India, Pilot Training

DGCA Mandates Website Transparency Across India’s Flying Training Organisations

Aviation Today News Desk / May 19, 2025

New Delhi, INDIA: In a bid to strengthen transparency and improve accountability among India’s flight training academies, the Directorate General

DGCA, Pilot Training, Pilots

Pilot Training in India May Soon Be Open to Arts and Commerce Class 12 Students Too

Aviation Today News Desk / April 18, 2025

New Delhi, INDIA: In a significant policy shift, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) is considering allowing Class 12

Flight School, Pilot Training, United Aviate Academy, United States

29 Student Pilots Sue United Airlines’ Flight School for Fraud & Misrepresentation

Aviation Today News Desk / April 16, 2025

Picture Credits: United Aviate Academy Arizona, USA: A group of 29 former students from across the United States has filed

On April 3, 2025, CSIR-NAL will announce a strategic partnership to bring the HANSA-3 NG to the forefront of India’s aviation training landscape. This locally manufactured, cost-effective trainer aircraft is poised to significantly enhance the country’s flight training capabilities, addressing the pressing need for indigenous aviation solutions. As India grapples with a growing demand for qualified pilots, the HANSA-3 NG represents a critical step in reducing reliance on foreign-built training aircraft, offering an efficient and reliable alternative for flight schools nationwide.

Aircraft, Pilot Training

India’s Pilot Training Gets a Push as CSIR-NAL Prepares for HANSA-3 NG Production

Aviation Today News Desk / April 1, 2025

Picture credits: Sean D Silva New Delhi, INDIA: The Council of Scientific and Industrial Research – National Aerospace Laboratories (CSIR-NAL)

DGCA Plans ranking system for Flying Training Organizations in India, by evaluating flight schools based on performance metrics & time taken to obtain a CPL

DGCA, FTO

DGCA Plans Ranking System for Flight Schools to Tackle Training Delays, Improve Standards

Aviation Today News Desk / March 24, 2025

India: The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) is considering introducing a ranking system for Flying Training Organisations (FTOs) in

Delhi: Air India has dismissed a simulator trainer pilot following allegations of negligence in conducting recurrent simulator training sessions. The decision was made after a whistleblower reported concerns regarding the trainer’s conduct, prompting an internal investigation | Aviation Today

Airlines, Pilot Training, Pilots

Air India Fires Flight Simulator Trainer, Grounds 10 Pilots Trained Under Him

Aviation Today News Desk / March 6, 2025

Picture credits: Air India Delhi: Air India has dismissed a simulator trainer pilot following allegations of negligence in conducting recurrent

New Zealand

Indian High Commissioner Visits NZAA as Pilot Training Soars with Growing Fleet & Students

Aviation Today News Desk / February 20, 2025

Picture credits: NZAA Oamaru: The High Commissioner of India to New Zealand, Neeta Bhushan, visited the New Zealand Airline Academy

DGCA suspends 2 Akasa Air officials for six months after an audit revealed failure to follow RNP approaches, compromising aviation safety | Aviation Today

Airlines, Indian Airlines

Akasa Air Officials Suspended by DGCA for Pilot Training Violations

Aviation Today News Desk / December 28, 2024

Image source: Airlines Inform India: The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has suspended two senior officials of Akasa Air

Indigo Airlines has the most female pilots of any airline, with 791, accounting for 15.28% of their overall workforce. Air India follows closely with 541 female pilots, accounting for 15.62% of its pilot staff. Alliance Air has the greatest percentage of female pilots (17.36%), with 25 women pilots out of 144 total. SpiceJet employs 61 female pilots, accounting for 16.39% of its total, whereas SNV Aviation employs 119 female pilots, or 14.01%. Air India Express employs 230 female pilots, representing 12.96% of the total pilot staff. These numbers show an increase in women's presence in India's aviation sector, reflecting the industry's expanding gender diversity | Aviation Today

Civil Aviation

Women Make Up 15% of Indian Pilots: The Increasing Number of Female Aviators

Aviation Today News Desk / November 29, 2024

Image credits : Flight Training Balkan India: Imagine a world when female pilots outnumber male pilots. India is steadily moving

pilot training

RTR(A) Exam to Be Held by DGCA From November; Move Aims to Cut Delays for Pilots

DGCA Mandates Website Transparency Across India’s Flying Training Organisations

Pilot Training in India May Soon Be Open to Arts and Commerce Class 12 Students Too

29 Student Pilots Sue United Airlines’ Flight School for Fraud & Misrepresentation

India’s Pilot Training Gets a Push as CSIR-NAL Prepares for HANSA-3 NG Production

DGCA Plans Ranking System for Flight Schools to Tackle Training Delays, Improve Standards

Air India Fires Flight Simulator Trainer, Grounds 10 Pilots Trained Under Him

Indian High Commissioner Visits NZAA as Pilot Training Soars with Growing Fleet & Students

Akasa Air Officials Suspended by DGCA for Pilot Training Violations

Women Make Up 15% of Indian Pilots: The Increasing Number of Female Aviators

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