Christened as CAE Simulation Training Private Limited (CSTPL), this centre is a 50:50 Joint Venture between InterGlobe Enterprises and CAE.

InterGlobe Enterprises and CAE recently inaugurated their ultra-modern pilot training facility in Greater Noida, National Capital Region (NCR). Christened as CAE Simulation Training Private Limited (CSTPL), this centre which is a 50:50 Joint Venture between InterGlobe Enterprises and CAE, will be India’s largest pilot training facility. An investment of over $ 25 million has already been made in setting up the facility and equipment. CAE and InterGlobe have also announced a long-term pilot training services agreement with GoAir, a low-fare domestic carrier. Starting in December 2013, GoAir’s A-320 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 is also a preferred Airbus training centre that 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 licenses 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.”

Future Plans

Bhatia states, “By 2017, there are plans to introduce another four simulators. The Centre will be preferred for A-320 simulation to train fresh pilots as also for those who want to renew their pilot licenses and will be continuously upgraded. Once the six simulators are operational, about 5,000 pilots will be trained in a year. Presently, the centre has the capability to train 1,000 pilots annually. As there is a shortage of technicians, the needs of the industry have to be addressed as soon as possible.”

Untapped Market

“Despite the turbulence, India’s aviation market 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, it is estimated India will need 3,000 pilots. It is a large untapped market. India is a country of 1.2 billion which represents 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 together to get the right kind of policies so as to have a sustainable growth story of India. Amidst challenges, there is a need to collaborate to grow.”

CAE – A Dominant Player

Marc Parent, President and Chief Executive Officer, 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 decade. 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.”

Parent continues, “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 Bangalore and this produced 1,500 pilots last year. We also operate a training centre with 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 wet and dry training, besides jet indoctrination training.”

DGCA 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 up the aviation market with low fares and on time performance. 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 standalone 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.