Mr Pradeep Singh Kharola, Secretary, Ministry of Civil Aviation, Govt of India laid a foundation stone of Asia Pacific Flight Training Academy Limited at Kalaburagi Airport in Gulbarga on 15th August 2021 on the occasion of our 75th Independence Day, He was received ceremoniously at Kalaburagi Airport by Mr Hemanth DP, CEO of APFTAL, Ms Chavi Hemanth, Director APFTAL, along with the Airport Director Kalabuargi, Mr S Gyaneshwar.
A Ribbon Cutting Ceremony was performed and the foundation stone was laid to initiate the operations at APFTAL at Kalabuargi Airport in the august presence of Dr. Umesh G Jadhav, MP, Kalaburagi, Ms. VV Jyotsna, DC and many other Senior Govt Functionaries.
Interacting with the media on the sidelines of Inauguration Mr Pradeep Singh Kharola said India has 32 FTO (Flight Training Organization). They were not doing well for various reasons. Eight more are permitted by DGCA recently. This initiative will help the Indian flying training sector in becoming more self-sustaining, he added.
APFTAL is the first of these eight to commence operations, informed APFTAL
Pradeep Singh Kharola said Job opportunities for pilots are immense. There is good demand for well-trained pilots, he said. We endeavour to stop the mass exodus to abroad for pilot training and make India a hub for pilot training shortly he said.
India requires 9,488 pilots over the next five years stated Union Aviation Minister for Civil Aviation in Rajya Sabha in September 2020 and will grow to be the 3rd Largest Aviation market globally, surpassing the UK, in the next five years. To meet this tremendous growth opportunity India needs to have a ready supply of well-trained world-class pilots, said Mr APFTAL CEO Mr Hemanth DP.
