Nujum Aviation, based in the southwestern Indian city of Bangalore, offers a package pilot training program to Indians, non-resident Indians as well as Saudis and other foreign nationals.Capt. K.M. Gaffar, chairman and managing director of Nujum, said those enrolled in the program would receive 200 hours of pilot training and 350 hours of ground training. The company, a joint venture with ITL Tours & Travels, has 11 aircraft of varying sizes and advanced training facilities.
“Ours is the largest private aviation training academy in India,” Gaffar said. Nujum has an overseas training center in Northam, Australia. He said the package includes travel, accommodation, food and an aviation license issued by the Ministry of Civil Aviation. He added that the academy has been registered with the ministry.
Students who have completed higher secondary education with science as a major are qualified to join the program. Non-science students can apply to the National Institute of Open School for the bridge course that will help them meet the requirements. Gaffar, a pilot himself, said the academy has plans to provide training for air-ambulance and chartered passenger and cargo flights. Non-Indians would require an extra three months to process their papers.
The period for obtaining a commercial pilot license is 10 months. It takes seven months for private pilot licenses. In addition to the pilot training, students will be taught aerodynamics, flight principles, radio telephoning, and meteorology among others.
A pilot’s job, Gaffar said, is considered one of the most dignified and most sought after jobs. There will be a shortage of 10,000 pilots by 2012 following the sale of 712 new aircraft.
In India, the Supreme Court has instructed foreign pilots to leave the country by December 2010. “This will create job opportunities for at least 3,000 Indian pilots,” he said.
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