Pilot aspirants joining the Rajiv Gandhi Academy for Aviation Technology (RGAAT) in the capital have a lot to cheer about. The academy has procured a Piper Seneca V aircraft from the United States to offer training in multi-engine aircraft. Powered by two turbocharged 220-horsepower Continental TSIO-360-RB engines, the four-seater aircraft has been procured at a cost of Rs.6 crore.
The aircraft, which will be used solely for training, has a wingspan of 38.9 feet, length of 28.6 feet, and a height of 9.9 feet. It is parked in the hangar of the academy functioning near the aircraft maintenance base near the international airport at Chakka.
“The registration process of the aircraft had been completed and steps for Certificate of Airworthiness have commenced. The aircraft will be used for training only after getting the certificate,” G. Chandramouli, Executive Vice-Chairman of the academy, told The Hindu .
With the Piper Seneca V joining the fleet, the number of trainer aircraft in the academy has gone up to five.
All the four Cessna aircraft are single engines. The Rs.1.7-crore, U.S.-made Cessna 172-R aircraft was the last aircraft inducted into the fleet in February last year. The hangar, built at Rs.4 crore, can accommodate up to 10 trainer aircraft. The academy, the only institution offering commercial pilot licence in the State, was also expecting the licence from the Director General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) to commence admission for the next batch of 38 students, Mr. Chandramouli said.
Preliminary inspection of the academy and the hangar by the DGCA team was over. The licence issued to the flying clubs was for two years. The academy was hopeful of getting the licence in a month, he added.
