The only government-backed aviation academy in the city is set to get two new aircraft almost five years after a massive fire gutted six of its training carriers on December 17, 2012. While the State government issued a soft loan of ₹ 5 crore on August 10, Telangana State Aviation Academy (TSAA) will procure two multi-engine, diesel (Aviation Turbine Fuel) run aircraft by November this year.
Currently, the academy, which restarted operations 30 days after the massive fire, has four used aircraft including three Cessna-152 and one Cessna-172. It also has a brand new Diamond DA-42. The Cessna aircraft are single engine carriers, though Diamond carrier is multi-engine aircraft.
Speaking to The Hindu , Captain. S. N Reddy, Chief Executive Officer of the academy said, “Our peak enrolment season starts by November each year. As soon as the State government releases the loan we will place the order for two aircraft to procure the training aircraft.” The academy has opted for diesel-run engines as this option is efficient and economic.
A total of 35 students are now taking training in the academy which is supported by Ministry of Civil Aviation. The aviation academy offers 200 flying hours of training apart from theory classes. The duration of the course is usually 18 months. Each student is charged ₹ 18.5 lakh for single engine aircraft training and ₹ 23 lakh for multi-engine training
Equipment boost
The State government funds could also be used to purchase multi-engine simulator, spares, tools and ground equipment. TSAA will, however, have to pay back the loan from 2023 to 2027, after a five-year moratorium period. “If the dollar rates are as low as ₹ 63-₹ 64 at the time of purchase, we will be able to buy two carriers with ₹ 5 crore. If not, the academy will have to shell out its own reserve funds for the purpose,” Mr. Reddy explained. Aero club of India had awarded the best aviation academy honour to TSAA for the last seven consecutive years.
With increase in the number of training carriers the academy is also expected to up its intake. While the rolling admission schedule is active currently, Mr. Reddy said the enrolment applications will increase in the coming months. “Cessna-172 which we operate has a glass cockpit which is similar to those in Boeing 777 and other advanced aircraft. The students who graduate from the academy get placed in soon,” the CEO said.
Once the new aircraft are added to the fleet, TSAA will be the academy with the highest number of training carriers in the city.
