Choosing the right pilot training institute is a crucial aspect for every aspiring pilot who wants to shape their cockpit-ready profession.
During this process, one must not skip the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA)- approved pilot training institutes in India. This marks an aspiring pilot to hold education that meets the highest safety and regulatory standards.
If you are thinking why it matters so much for a pilot training institute to be DGCA-approved, then you are at the right place, and you must know this fact.
So, explore this blog till the end to get a complete knowledge.
What Is DGCA & Its Approval?
DGCA stands for the Directorate General of Civil Aviation, which is the primary regulatory body in India to manage the whole civil aviation industry. It operates under the Ministry of Civil Aviation and makes sure that the different aspects of aviation are being taken care of accordingly. The different aspects of aviation include:
1. Pilot licensing
DGCA takes care of approving and issuing licenses like SPL, PPL, CPL, and ATPL. It also regulates Flight Instructor Ratings (FIR).
2. Regulating Flight Training Organisations (FTOs)
It fulfills the responsibility of giving approvals to the pilot training academies and keeps auditing them for safety, training, quality, and compliance purposes.
3. Safety oversight of the aircrafts
Keep a check on the training aircraft to ensure they are keeping up with the operational, engineering, and safety requirements.
4. Pilot’s medical fitness & ATCs
DGCA keeps check on the medical fitness of the aspiring pilots and issues them the required medical certificates, which make them fit to fly.
5. Aviation rules enforcement
DGCA plays a crucial role in enforcing the aviation regulations and also takes the required actions against the violation of set rules and regulations.
6. International regulatory framework
DGCA coordinates with ICAO, or the International Civil Aviation Organization, which sets rules and regulations that allow it to maintain a global safety standard in aviation.
Now that you know about DGCA, let’s continue to understand DGCA approval.
When a flight training institute complies with the strict rules & regulations, robust safety standards, and pilot training & education standards of the Directorate General of Civil Aviation, it becomes a DGCA-approved pilot training institute.
Training from such an institute matches government requirements, and it applies to both domestic and international standards. A flight training institute approved by DGCA offers numerous benefits, such as:
- Recognition.
- Safety and quality standards.
- Better career opportunity.
Why Choosing a DGCA-Approved Aviation Academy In India Matters?
Before anything else, an aspiring pilot must choose a DGCA-approved aviation academy if they aim to become a well-trained commercial pilot. Now, if you are someone who has no idea why we have made the above remarks, the points below clearly explain it all.
Let’s get into the points quickly.
1. A mandate for CPL
First things first, only a pilot trained from a DGCA-approved pilot training institute in India can be eligible to get their CPL. Completing pilot training from an unapproved pilot training institute and its certificates are not acceptable to DGCA. The ground classes and pilot training from an approved institute will only make a candidate eligible for the DCGA exam, as it aligns with national aviation regulations.
2. Eligibility for DGCA exams
Aspiring pilots who have completed their DGCA-approved CPL training will be eligible for the DGCA theory exams. An approved provider can only offer structured ground classes, standard study materials, authorised instructors, and training records. Further, a candidate will not get their DGCA computer number if trained by an unapproved institute, which is crucial for pilot theory exams.
3. Eligibility for Airline placements
Next, if a candidate aims to progress their career by placing themselves in Indian and international airlines, they must hold a CPL from DGCA-approved training institutes. This is because Indian and international airlines prioritise candidates from approved institutes. As such, institutes follow a particular standard of training procedures, maintain accurate flight records, and make sure their students follow all the regulatory requirements.
4. Strong safety measures
It is mandatory for a DGCA-approved pilot training institute in India to follow the strict safety rules that meet the global aviation standards. DGCA always inspects the safety standards maintained by the institutes to ensure safe regulations of aircraft, advanced simulator training, and other practices & operations. Institutes that maintain strong safety measures safeguard both trainees and instructors during the training.
5. Better career potential
Those who want to enhance their career graph in the aviation industry must complete their pilot training from a DGCA-approved institute. At the time of recruitment, candidates of a DGCA-approved training institute will get more importance than others, as their whole pilot training is recognised and verified. Moreover, top Indian and International airlines today give more weight to candidates familiar with DGCA’s regulatory standards.
6 Quality professional instructors
A DGCA-approved aviation academy can only employ highly qualified, experienced, and mainly DGCA-certified instructors. The instructors who have gone through a rigorous check to ensure they hold strong technical expertise, instructional skills, and have trending knowledge of aviation can join such institutes. The certified and highly qualified instructors will build the future of excellent commercial pilots that match DGCA standards.
What Are The Top DGCA-Approved Pilot Training Institutes In India?
So, now you are well aware of the importance of choosing a DGCA-approved aviation academy in India. To help you make the right decision about a pilot training institute among numerous names, we have curated a list of the top 5 of them.
Follow the list below to choose best flight school in India that is DGCA approved.
1. Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Uran Akademi (IGRUA)
Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Uran Akademi comes under the list of premier DGCA-approved pilot training institutes in India. This institute has earned a reputation for its high standard of strict pilot training, strict safety standards, high-quality modern fleets, and good placements.
2. National Flying Training Institute (NFTI)
National Flying Training Institute is the result of a successful partnership between CAE and Airport Authority of India (AAI). This leading DGCA-approved aviation academy is a popular choice due to its high-quality CPL training, advanced simulation technology, and international career scope, among other benefits.
3. Pilots Pathway
Pilots Pathway is one of the top DGCA-approved pilot training institutes that shapes skilled, confident, and industry-ready future aviators. It offers students highly skilled professional instructors, structured pilot training programs, and teaches airline pilots must have skills including modern flying technicalities, communication, decision making, and situational awareness.
4. The Bombay Flying Club
The Bombay Flying Club is one of the reputed and oldest DGCA-approved pilot training institutes in India. This institute holds a rich legacy in aviation training, with experienced instructors and a high-maintenance fleet. This institute is the respected choice of India’s aspiring pilots because it follows strong safety measures and holds expertise.
5. Chimes Aviation Academy (CAA)
Chimes Aviation Academy of Madhya Pradesh is one of the leading DGCA-approved aviation academies of India because of its modern, advanced fleet and disciplined CPL training from experienced instructors. The students joining this popular institute can access to build knowledge, flying skills, and confidence, which help them skyrocket their pilot career.
Pilots Pathway- Your DGCA-Approved Pilot Training Part In India
Are you looking for a DGCA-approved pilot training institute in India to build a successful career in the Indian aviation industry? There is no other than Pilots Pathway, as it offers the highest quality of pilot training, safety measures, and follows regulatory compliance set by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA).
We are the best pilot training institute in India, as our students get structured ground training, extensive flight training, and mentorship that aligns with DGCA standards. We offer modern facilities, a structured course, and a strong safety culture for both students and instructors. To become a globally recognised commercial pilot, be on the right path with the Pilots Pathway.
Conclusion
Joining a DGCA-approved pilot training institute in India is one of the crucial decisions of the aspiring commercial pilot. An approved institute opens the door to better opportunities for the candidates at the time of national and international airline recruitments.
You now know that completing pilot training from a DGCA-approved institute means it is more recognised, reliable, and aligns with global aviation requirements.
Thus, choosing the right pilot training institute will build the right foundation of the runway that leads to a successful career of aspiring commercial pilots in India.
FAQs
What is the main purpose of DGCA?
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) is the regulatory body for civil aviation in India. It is responsible for enforcing rules to regulate civil air travel and also coordinating with All National Regulatory Functions of the International Civil Aviation Organisation. The main purpose of DGCA is to ensure safety, efficiency, and maintain the worthiness of the pilot training.
What is DGCA-approved?
A DGCA-approved institute is recognised by the highest aviation regulatory body of India. This recognition makes every institute maintain the strict standard of quality pilot training, aircraft maintenance, qualified instructors, safety procedures, and infrastructure. Completing pilot training from a DGCA-approved institute boosts the chance of getting a valid license.
Does DGCA certify pilots?
Yes, for those who wish to work for Indian airlines or Indian registered aircraft as a pilot, they must hold a valid DGCA-approved pilot license or CPL. Since DGCA looks after the whole aviation industry of India, it also certifies the pilots of India, issuing them licenses. The license includes Student Pilot License (SPL), Private Pilot License (PPL), Commercial Pilot License (CPL), and Airline Transport Pilot License (ATPL).
Can foreign students apply to a DGCA-approved pilot training institute in India?
Yes, foreign students can apply to a DGCA-approved pilot training institute in India, but must ensure that they fulfil the eligibility criteria set by DGCA. By fulfilling the requirements, foreign students can even get their licenses, such as PPL and CPL. The DGCA requirements include passing 12th with Maths and Physics, a valid passport, a student visa, a clear background check, English proficiency, and a valid DGCA Class 1 medical certificate.
Are DGCA-approved institutes safer?
Yes, DGCA-approved pilot training institutes are significantly safer and more reliable than others, as they follow and keep their standards high as per the rules set by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation. The rules require training institutes to maintain training quality, aircraft quality, and instructor standards, which allows candidates to match aviation benchmarks.