List of Top 20 Flying Schools in India: Entrance Exams, Fees, Eligibility

Flying Schools in India Overview 

There are two types of aircraft in India: civil and military. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) oversees the regulation of civil aviation. Along with the Indian Air Force, the Indian Army, Navy, and Coast Guard all have aviation branches that educate officers at their respective military bases. These branches are known as the Army Aviation Corps, Indian Naval Air Arm, and Indian Coast Guard, respectively.

A good pilot must have the knowledge, intelligence, capacity to think fast and respond, the ability to operate in challenging environments, and even the flexibility to work unusual hours. Every college offers a varied set of courses, specialties, and techniques for studying. Fees for flying to schools in India are comparatively high. An applicant must get a CPL in order to become a commercial pilot (Commercial Pilot License).

Candidates must have completed flight training at an institution recognised by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation in order to get a CPL ( DGCA). It is a statutory body established by the 2020 Aircraft (Amendment) Bill. This department looks into aircraft mishaps and accidents. This work has its share of difficulties because a pilot needs to be well-trained to manage any hard or difficult conditions with ease. The country now has a large number of DGCA-approved flight schools in order to meet the need for skilled, well-trained pilots. 

Entrance Exams for Pilot Training

Many schools base admission on the candidates' academic credentials, while others base admission on the results of the entrance exam. IGRUA, or the Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Uran Academy, is one of the most esteemed tests offered to candidates seeking to become commercial pilots. This entrance exam is a national level-based entrance examination that grants admission depending on the candidate's eligibility. The exam is given to candidates who wish to enrol in the Commercial Pilot License (CPL) programme.

Eligibility for Admission in Flying Schools in India

1. Candidates must have passed the 10+2 exam or an equivalent test from a reputable board.
2. It is advised that a student have a background in science that includes classes in physics, chemistry, and mathematics.
3. Candidates must have received a minimum of 50% of the possible points.
4. The required minimum age is 17, not older.
5. The candidate's vision must be 6/6.
6. A candidate must be physically fit and adhere to any institute- or state-developed medical criteria.
7. Good communication and decision-making abilities are essential.

How to Select The Right Flying Schools in India?

An applicant must invest in an organisation that offers the appropriate flying training because flying schools require a significant financial expenditure. When choosing a school, applicants should pay close attention to the institution's quality. Check here everything you should confirm before applying for admission to flying schools in India:

1. Since flying schools need a significant financial investment, you should be careful while selecting one for your instruction. Examine every aspect before applying.
2. The DGCA should approve of the flying school.
3. It ought to have a functional infrastructure.
4. Facilities for lab and practice should be adequate.
5. The flying instruction (and amenities) ought to be of high quality.
6. The professors should be competent, skilled, and well-trained.
7. Modern training tools like simulators and computer-assisted instruction should be available.

Also read more about- How to Become a Pilot in India.

List of Top 20 Flying Schools In India

Following is the list of top 20 flying schools in India.

1. Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Uran Akademi (IGRUA)
2. Madhya Pradesh Flying Club (MPFC)
3. National Flying Training Institute (NFTI)
4. Ahmedabad Aviation & Aeronautics Ltd. (AAA)
5. Bombay Flying Club
6. Rajiv Gandhi Aviation Academy
7. Government Flying Training School
8. OFAA – Orient Flights Aviation Academy
9. Indian Aviation Academy
10. Adventure Flight Education Private Limited, Bangalore
11. Asia Pacific Flight Training Academy
12. Bihar Flying Institute
13. Chimes Aviation Academy (CAA)
14. Gujarat Flying Club
15. ACAA
16. Mams Air Private Limited
17. National College of Aviation
18. Blue Bird Flight Academy
19. Fortune Aviation Academy
20. Dean International Flight School

Below is the detailed information about top 10 flying schools in India including the courses they offer, fee structure, etc. 

1. Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Uran Akademi (IGRUA)

One of the best flying schools in India  is IGRUA. It has an outstanding reputation and is one of India's top and oldest flying schools. This school has produced some of the top pilots and is now producing skilled pilots. Not everyone is a good fit for this institution, though. The admission of candidates is based on a two-hour written exam, which is followed by an aptitude test and a panel interview. Candidates are trained at this institute using a range of aircraft, including the TB-20, Zlin, DA-40, and DA-42.

2. Madhya Pradesh Flying Club (MPFC)

In 1951, the Madhya Pradesh Flying Club was founded. Up until 1982, it was employed by the Madhya Pradesh government for the first 31 years and was responsible for maintaining its planes and aircraft. In order to train fighter pilots, the Madhya Pradesh Flying Club also collaborates with the Indian Air Force. The club has grown to become one of most well-known flying schools in India, and the minimum requirement for receiving commercial pilot training is completion of a class I fitness test and a 10+2 education.

3. National Flying Training Institute (NFTI)

The National Flying Training Institute, popularly known as CAE Gondia, is the next institution on our list of the top flying schools in India. The Airport Authority of India and CAE own it jointly. It is among the most well-known pilot training facilities in the nation. The Institute adheres to the International Civil Aviation Organization's and DGCA's requirements (ICAO). Merit in the 10+2 system is the primary criterion for eligibility, followed by a DGCA-certified medical examination.

4. Ahmedabad Aviation & Aeronautics Ltd. (AAA)

One of the greatest flying schools in India was founded in 1994 and is called Ahmedabad Aviation and Aeronautics Ltd. The club's main goal is to develop potential members to become excellent pilots. The club also owns Mehsana Airfield, a hangar, which is located at Ahmedabad's Sardar Vallabhai Patel International Airport. It also has a sizable inventory of trainer planes, notably the Cessna 152 with a single engine.

5. Bombay Flying Club

The Bombay Flying Club was founded in 1928 and is considered to be among the greatest flying schools in India. The institution's first recipient of the commercial pilot licence was Mr. JRD Tata, the Bombay Flying Club's founder. The DGCA and Mumbai University are currently connected with the institute. Additionally, Bombay Flying Clubs is outfitted with top-notch aircraft like the Cessna 152A, PIPER PA18, Seneca, and others. Basic requirements for commercial pilot training include completing a 10+2 education and passing a class I fitness test. Also open to applicants is the BSc in Aviation.

6. Rajiv Gandhi Aviation Academy

On July 14, 1959, the "Kerala Flying Club," now known as the "Rajiv Gandhi Academy for Aviation Technology" in Thiruvananthapuram, was incorporated under the Indian Companies Act of 1956. The name "Kerala Flying Club" was changed to "Kerala Aviation Training Center" in 1980, and later that year, in 1981, the Keralan government took direct management of the institution. KATC was afterwards renamed Rajiv Gandhi Academy for Aviation Technology a Society under the Travancore Cochin Literary Scientific and Charitable Societies Act 1955 with the Director General of Civil Aviation's approval. Starting on June 1, 2006, the newly established "Rajiv Gandhi Academy for Aviation Technology" went into effect.

7. Government Flying Training School

One of the first flying schools in India was established in 1950 at the Government Flying Training School (GFTS) at Jakkur, Bangalore. The state-owned flying training facility provides ambitious candidates with sustained programmes that result in the issuance of Commercial Pilot Licences (CPL) and Private Pilot Licences (PPL). The GFTS covers a total area of 214 acres, including hangars and maintenance areas that are leased to private parties, an airstrip, a fuel station, and facilities for flying training (the "Training School '').

8. OFAA – Orient Flights Aviation Academy

OFAA is one of the other flying schools in India and it exists in the city of mysore. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation, Government of India, has given its approval. Its fleet of training aircraft is among the best in Mysore. The institute offers a wide range of courses, including a BBA in Aviation as well as commercial, private, and student pilot licences. The institute uses cutting-edge technology techniques to educate its students. Throughout the training, their top priority is making sure that everyone is safe.

9. Indian Aviation Academy

The Indian Aviation Academy, one of the  flying schools in India, is operated by The Director General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS), and the Airports Authority of India (AAI). Its beginnings may be traced back to 1986, when Patterson Farm House, a nearby property of Indira Gandhi International Airport, served as the Institute of Airport Management's first place of business. In 1988, the Institute relocated to its current campus. In December 1988, the ICAO Secretary General officially opened the new structure. In 1997, it underwent a renaming to become the National Institute of Aviation Management and Research (NIAMAR). NIAMAR changed its name to the Indian Aviation Academy in 2010.

10. Adventure Flight Education Private Limited, Bangalore

One of the flying schools in India run by Treasure Coast Flight Training is called Adventure Flight Education Private Limited in Bangalore (TCFT). It has multiple branches in India, including one each in Bangalore, Mumbai, Hyderabad, Ghaziabad, and Pune. It is primarily situated in Stuart, Florida (USA). Commercial Pilot Training is the most sought-after of the institute's six pilot-based training programmes. Several different types of aircraft, including Cessna 152s, 172Ms, 172Ns, 172Rs, 172Ps (with G1000 instruments), Piper Archer IIIs, Piper Arrow IIIs, Seneca Is, and Beech Duchess, are used to transport students to Florida for practical flying training.

Flying Schools in India: Student Pilot Licence

1. You need to show up for written theory tests in aviation meteorology, air navigation, and air technical.
2. The Director General of Civil Aviation's certified medical professionals must provide you a medical certificate of fitness. You can only receive a medical fitness certificate from one of two organisations in India: the Institute of Aviation Medicine in Bangalore or the Air Force Central Medical Establishment in New Delhi.
3. You must obtain a security clearance.
4. You will be required to take an aptitude test and an oral examination.
5. The SPL will be awarded to you if the medical clearance is received and you pass the tests.

Flying Schools in India: Private Pilot Licence

1. After receiving your SPL, you will be paired with an instructor to begin your flying training. You will learn the fundamentals of flying, and your teacher will fly with you.
2. You can fly solo and cross-country after around 15 hours of dual flying with an instructor.
3. You must fly for at least 60 hours in order to qualify for a Private Pilot License. At least 20 of those hours should be spent flying alone, and 5 should be spent travelling interstate.
4. You must also show up for the written theoretical tests in disciplines like seamanship, aviation meteorology, air navigation, and air regulations.
5. The AFCME or IAM must provide you with a medical fitness certificate.
6. A minimum age of 17 is required.

Also read more about Pilot Salary in India.

Flying Schools in India: Commercial Pilot License 

The most crucial licence for becoming a commercial pilot is this one.

1. You must be between the ages of 18 and 30 to obtain a CPL.
2. To obtain this licence, you must have completed at least 250 hours of flying. 150 of those hours must be spent flying alone, along with 25 hours of cross-country travel, 10 hours of instrument flying (doing so requires you to rely only on the plane's instruments and not the horizon or other people for guidance), and 5 hours of nighttime flight.
3. Additional crucial steps in the procedure include passing theory tests in aviation meteorology, air navigation, technical, and planning, as well as receiving a medical certificate from ACFME or IAM.
4. The Private Helicopter License requires 40 hours of flight instruction, including 15 hours of solo flight. It is required to pass written tests on fundamental aviation topics.
5. You must complete 60 hours of flying instruction and take a written test in order to obtain a commercial helicopter pilot licence.
6. Both public and private sector businesses, as well as security agencies, employ helicopter pilots.

Flying Schools in India: Airline Transport Pilot's Licence 

1. Your sole option for flight with the aforementioned licences is as a co-pilot. The highest level of aviation licence required to assume command as a captain is the Airline Transport Pilot's License.
2. In addition to passing written exams, you must fly 1,500 hours overall and pass physical examinations.
3. Damages: The hourly cost ranges from Rs. 30,000 to Rs. 40,000. The airline you work with frequently pays for the training expenses.
4. Additional Instruction and Knowledge
5. You could choose to enrol in multi engine instruction after receiving your CPL.
6. Your licence will have an endorsement for the specific aircraft you have flown after seven to ten hours of multi-engine training on a specific aircraft.
7. The aforementioned licences all require routine renewal. You must absolutely follow all medical instructions.
8. If you continue to fly for one hour after your licence expires, you will lose your ability to do so.
9. A pilot can work as a pilot until the age of 61, despite any medical issues and ongoing exam clearances.

Also read more about- Loco Pilot Salary.

Military Aviations Schools in India

Following are the military flying schools in India-

1. Army Aviation Corps

The Indian Army's aviation division is known as the Army Aviation Corps. They have helicopters in their collection.

2. Indian Air Force

IAF officers trained at Flying Training Establishments must be trained by Training Command (FTE). At the Air Force Academy, officers get basic Stage-I training. After being divided into Fighter, Transport, and Helicopter streams, officers are then dispatched to the appropriate FTEs for advanced Stage-II training and specialty-focused Stage-III training.

3. Indian Naval Air Arm

The Indian Navy's naval aviation division is known as the Indian Naval Air Arm. Officers are assigned to the Air Force Academy or Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Uran Akademi for first flying instruction after completing a required Naval Orientation Course at the Indian Naval Academy and pre-flight training at the School for Naval Airmen. After completing their training, student pilots are divided into three streams—fighter, fixed-wing, and rotary—and sent to the appropriate training facilities for advanced instruction and specialisation.