Capt Dharamraaj Shukla tells ANCHAl SHARMA that since the aviation industry in the country is on a growth trajectory, there is need for skilled people
What are the courses that SpeedJet Aviation Academy is offeringIJ
The academy at present, offers multiple flying and ground training courses in the aviation sector including Pre-Pilot Programme, Cabin Crew Programme, Ground Handling Programme and Type Rating Programme. We have recently announced our tie up with Gulf Aviation Academy (GAA), part of Bahrain Mumtalakat Holding Company, the investment arm for the Kingdom of Bahrain, to offer our students comprehensive range of structured training programs and a competitive advantage in the aviation industry that is at par with international norms.
What are the modules likeIJ
The CPl course lasts almost a year where we provide three months of ground training in India and eight months of training with our partner training academy in Florida, US. The cadet obtains 252 hours of flying experience on single engine as well as multi-engine aircraft in US and is awarded a US Federal Aviation Authority CPl license on successfully clearing all exams.
Our A320 Type Rating course is conducted at GAA facilities in Bahrain and is as per the DGCA requirements. We cover a total of 115 hours of ground school-plus 84 Hours of Flight School in this short-duration course of 45-55 days. Our Cabin Crew course is recognised by the Civil Aviation Authority International (CAAi) of the UK and, on completion of this course, students obtain a certificate that is recognised by CAAi and other aviation regulators worldwide. We also take care of students’ stay, air tickets, visa and ground transportation for the full course duration in Bahrain (Stay includes a 3-5 star hotel accommodation with breakfast). We are the only company to offer this type of training in India.
What are the eligibility and selection criteria for each of the courseIJ
The minimum eligibility criteria for each course is as follows:
For CPl: Education-HSC with Physics & Mathematics, Age — 18 (flying can be started earlier, licence is given at 18), Medically Fit – Class 2 Medicals followed by Class 1 Medicals
For Airbus A320: Type Rating: Valid CPl license, Valid Multi-engine Instrument Rating, Valid Class 1 Medical Certification, English level 4, At least 18 years of age
Cabin crew: Education (HSC) from any recognised Board or university, At least 18 years of age, Height- 155 cm (ladies) and 170 cm (men)
Ground staff: Education (HSC) from any recognised Board or university, At least 18 years of age
What is the fee structureIJ
The fee structure for the course ranges from as low as Rs25,000 for an introductory course to Rs35 lakh for CPl training in the US.
Tell us about the facultyIJ
Our state-of-the-art course equipment and latest simulator technology enables us to offer a comprehensive and modern aviation training infrastructure and set new standards in aviation training. Students also get access to various training facilities around the world through our global affiliates and our training module caters to requirements across APAC, Middle-East and Africa.
What is the scopeIJ
The industry is on a high-growth trajectory with India likely to become the third-largest aviation market by 2020. With over 700 aircraft ordered by scheduled carriers, India will need at least 7,000 pilots and 1,500 cabin crew over the next few years. As of now, Indian airlines are reporting increased profitability, low-cost carriers have placed heavy orders for new aircraft, there are multitude of new airports coming up and FDI flows into domestic airlines have surged. All these factors combined will lead to a sharp spike in demand for trained aviation personnel.
What about pay packagesIJ
A pilot typically starts at Rs2 lakh in India and that figure goes well over Rs3.5-Rs4 lakh internationally. Cabin crew salaries start around Rs40,000-Rs50,000 in India and scales past Rs1.5 lakh for international airlines. The starting salary for ground staff is around Rs12,000-Rs15,000 in India and ranges from Rs60-Rs80,000 if you are working for an international airline.