InterGlobe Enterprises and CAE recently inaugurated their ultramodern pilot training facility in Greater Noida in the National Capital Region (NCR). The centre, CAE Simulation Training Private Limited (CSTPL), is a 50:50 joint venture between InterGlobe Enterprises and CAE. An investment of over $25 million has already been made in setting up the facility and equipment. CAE and InterGlobe announced a long-term pilot training services agreement with GoAir, a low-fare domestic carrier. Starting in December 2013, GoAir’s A320 pilots will train at the facility.

Speaking at the opening ceremony of the centre, Rahul Bhatia, Managing Director, InterGlobe Enterprises, said: “CAE are global leaders in civil aviation technology and we are proud to be associated with them. This training centre is a landmark in India’s aviation training facility. It is the largest such facility in India and it is also a preferred Airbus training centre and can used by all the airlines not just in India but also those in neighbouring countries to train their pilots. Also individual pilots can obtain flying licences over here. Over time we will encourage military pilots and also explore starting courses for aircraft maintenance. We have two full flight simulators which can give real time scenario.”

Four more simulators by 2017

By 2017 we plan to introduce another four simulators. The centre will be preferred for A320 simulation to train pilots and also for those who want to renew their pilot licences. The centre will be continuously upgraded. Once the six simulators are operational, the centre will be able to train 5,000 pilots in a year. Presently, the centre can train 1,000 pilots over the next few years. As there is a shortage of technicians, we have to rapidly address the needs of the industry.”

Untapped market

India’s aviation market despite turbulence has grown exponentially. By 2019, India will be the third largest aviation market, behind the US and China. By then 420 million passengers will be flying and in the short term here it is estimated India will need 3,000 pilots. It is a large untapped market. India is a country of 1.2 billion which represent one aircraft for every three million people. In China and Russia, the aircraft penetration is three to four times more and we are not talking about mature markets such as US or Europe. This means India will need several thousand aircraft. Presently, the aviation sector’s contribution to the GDP is 1.5 per cent and it provides 17 million jobs.

There are challenges to its growth but these challenges are not insurmountable. It requires all stakeholders to work to get the right kind of policies as to have a sustainable growth story of India. Amidst challenges, we have to collaborate to grow.”

CAE dominant player in Indian market

Marc Parent, President and Chief Executive Officer of CAE said: “This is a world-class state-of-the-art training centre. I can tell you that some years ago when I came here, I could see cows grazing in the field...look at where we are today... it is a miracle. I am very proud of the modern structure we have put up in association with InterGlobe.”

It is such an understatement to state that India is a dynamic country, it is one of the fastest growing civil aviation markets. The Indian commercial airline fleet has doubled in the last 10 years. There are 500 aircraft on order and this translates to a requirement of 3,000 pilots over the next five years...this is just a fraction of the potential India has.”

CAE has infrastructure capabilities to support traffic growth here. Today 75 per cent of civil simulators in this country are built by CAE. In 2008 the first civil aviation training centre was established in Bengaluru and this produced 1,500 pilots last year. We also operate training centre with the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and in partnership with the Government of India, run ab initio training in Gondia and Rae Bareli.”

The six-simulator centre will provide training to airline pilots with facilities such as wet and dry training, besides jet indoctrination training.”

DGCA extends support

Arun Mishra, Director General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), praised the endeavour stating that it would add a lot to the safety of civil aviation in India. He complimented InterGlobe and IndiGo for changing the pace of aviation in India. “IndiGo has pushed the aviation market with low fares, on time performance etc. While we have huge potential but what worries me is that while we are getting good airports, we are lacking in the development of manpower, the next-generation of aviation professionals.”

Regarding stand-alone training centres, he said there were certain niggling issues, but added that the DGCA was in the process of formulating rules and regulations to evolve the best international practices.