Local youths take flight: Jharkhand launches CPL pilot training program; Opportunity for aspiring aviators in state

Dhrubajyoti.Malakar

The programme will be conducted at the flight training operational base in Dumka airport, which was inaugurated by chief minister Hemant Soren in Nov last year. The initiative is aimed at equipping local youths with commercial aviation skills while reducing their dependence on institutes outside the state for pilot training.

Captain S P Sinha, managing director of JFI, on Tuesday said a glider pilot licence programme was run by the institute earlier but “this is the first time we are launching CPL course providing an opportunity to the youths of Jharkhand and other states as well, to pursue a career in the commercial aviation sector”.

“Selected candidates will trained at a flying training organisation approved by the Director General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) for around 9-12 months. The application procedure has started from April 16 and will continue till April 30,” he said.

Out of the 15 seats, 7 belong to the unreserved category and 4 are reserved for candidates belonging to the scheduled tribe. One seat each will be reserved for candidates from the scheduled caste, backward classes and economically weaker section.

“The candidates applying for the CPL course must have already passed at least four out of seven papers — aviation meteorology, air regulation, aircraft and engines, technical specification, technical performance, radio telephonic — from the syllabus prescribed by the DGCA. JFI will directly enrol trainees who have passed at least four of the subjects, followed by conducting a psychometric/pilot aptitude test, after scrutinising their received applications based on their DGCA paper results,” stated the advertisement.

Selected candidates will receive hands-on flying experience on the ZLIN 143-L aircraft, in addition to modern ground school instruction and simulator training.