DGCA tells flying schools to maintain updated sites

NEW DELHI: Aspiring commercial pilots in India will now be able to make an informed choice for a flying training organisation (FTO) to learn the ropes.

In a major reform, Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) on Friday directed all flying schools in country to “maintain a dedicated website” with updated information on several parameters. These include, among other things, minimum and maximum time taken to complete 200 hours of flying; number of aircraft, instructors, designated examiners, availability of ground school and simulators.

Apart from clearing DGCA exams and medical tests, completing 200 flying hours is a key requirement to earn a commercial pilot licence (CPL) in India. However, the long time it usually takes to do so due to multiple factors like availability of planes and instructors — apart from other concerns like safety and quality of training at many schools — sends a large number of aspiring Indians pilots abroad every year for CPL training.

As reported by TOI on March 23, 2025, DGCA chief Faiz Ahmed Kidwai decided to bring in transparency on FTOs. He sought to do so by requiring them to put information in public domain, based on which students choose them. The aim is to make them competitive, safer and student-friendly. Setting that plan in motion, DGCA wrote to all flying schools in country Friday. “FTOs advised to maintain a dedicated website… it must be updated regularly. Specified information must be prominently displayed and kept current,” DGCA’s letter states.