KEY QUESTIONS TO ASK ABOUT FLIGHT TRAINING

  
  Aviation is the most challenging profession that mankind has known. It provides immense professional satisfaction, a sense of accomplishment and enormous financial stability.

In order to enter this challenging and rewarding field, the first step is acquiring a Commercial Pilot License.

There are a large number of institutions, both in India and abroad, who provide the required training. Many of these institutions have poor infrastructure, inadequate training programmes, and lack basic facilities like proper accommodation, good and hygienic food, and so on. A non aviator, irrespective of his/her financial status as well as profession, has very little basic knowledge about the nitty-gritty of aviation. Hence he or she is often taken for a ride.

Before deciding to join any institution, you must ask the following questions of the CEO and CFI of that institution. You must not believe the information listed on websites/brochures. Instead, visit the facility physically and see for yourself the infrastructure and other facilities.

Remember, seeing is believing.		  
 
 
  Q 1. What type of aeroplanes are used for training?  
  Q 2. What is the advantage of flying a Glass Cockpit Aeroplane?  
  Q 3. Do you have a proper, modern, well lit and ventilated and fully owned hangar for parking the aeroplanes?  
  Q 4. Do you have a proper airconditioned crew/rest room for trainee pilots?  
  Q 5. Who imparts ground training to the trainee pilots? What is the duration of ground classes?  
  Q 6. Do you  have the list of professional training material that is given to each trainee pilot?  
  Q 7. Is the use of head set mandatory while flying?  
  Q 8. Do you have a proper Air Traffic Control( at private airports)?  
  Q 9. Do you have safety services viz Crash Fire Tender, Ambulance and Search and Rescue vehicles ( at private airports)?  
  Q 10. Do you have a dedicated R/T frequency allotted for operational use(for private airport)?  
  Q 11. Do you have a license for storing fuel?  
  Q 12. Do you have a proper fuel storage building approved by IOC?  
  Q 13. What kind of boarding and lodging facilities are provided to trainee pilots?  
  Q 14. As  parents can we stay in the accommodation for few days to check the facilities?  
  Q 15. Does your airport (for private airports) have a proper perimeter fencing and guards?  
  Q 16. Do you have night flying facilities viz electrical runway lights, rotating beacon etc (for private airports)?  
  Q 17. What are the navigational aids available at the airport (for private airports)?  
  Q 18. In case my ward or I decide to discontinue the training in your institution, will you refund the balance amount without any delay?  
  Q 19. Can you give a written undertaking about the  refund of balance?  
  Q 20. How long will you take to forward my documents  viz FTPR etc to my new institution?  
  Q 21. How many aeroplanes does your institution have and what type?  
  Q 22. Has your institute  laid down maximum number of students vis-a vis the number of aeroplanes on strength?  
  Q 23. Has your institute laid down any limit for number of students being trained by each instructor?  
  Q 24. Does your CEO/Accountable Manager have an aviation background?  
  Q 25. What is the core strength of your institution?  
  Q 26. What are the facilities at your Academy/ Flying Club?  
  Q 27. What is the duration of training?  
  Q 28. I have been told that CPL training abroad can be completed in nine months. Is that correct?  
  Q 29. What is the cost of training at SVKM and what does it cover?  
       
 
 
  Q 1. What type of aeroplanes are used for training?  
  A 1. We impart the entire flying training on the latest 2009 model CESSNA-172R (GLASS COCKPIT) equipped with Garmin-1000 system. A large number of institutions are imparting training on vintage and outdated Cessna-152/172s, which may be 30-50 years old.  
   
 
 
 
  Q 2. What is the advantage of flying a Glass Cockpit Aeroplane?  
  A 2. All modern airliners viz Boeing-757,767,777 and Airbus 300,310,320,321 etc. are glass cockpit aeroplanes. Hence, exposure at initial stage of training prepares him/her better. Flying a 30-40 year old analog aeroplane has lost its relevance.  
   
 
 
 
  Q 3. Do you have a proper, modern, well lit and ventilated and fully owned hangar for parking the aeroplanes?  
  A 3. Yes, we have a modern hangar at Shirpur entirely for the Academy.  
   
 
 
 
  Q 4. Do you have a proper airconditioned crew/rest room for trainee pilots?  
  A 4. We have a fully airconditioned crew room for trainee pilots. In addition to two separate air-conditioned rest rooms for boys and girls.  
   
 
 
 
  Q 5. Who imparts ground training to the trainee pilots? What is the duration of ground classes?  
  A 5. Ground training to trainees is imparted by highly experienced former IAF pilots/navigators/ met officer etc. At SVKM, ground classes are carried out diligently for 12 continuous weeks, during which 450 hours of instruction are imparted. The Chief Ground Instructor is a senior/experienced IAF pilot.  
   
 
 
 
  Q 6. Do you  have the list of professional training material that is given to each trainee pilot?  
  A 6. We at the SVKM provide each trainee books/publications worth nearly Rs 50,000 as part of the kit on admission.  
   
 
 
 
  Q 7. Is the use of head set mandatory while flying?  
  A 7. We at SVKM provide each trainee pilot with a US manufactured David Clarke Head Set costing  Rs 24,000/-. Head sets are mandatory to enable trainee pilots to learn and understand the entire process of Radio Telephony communication. Most of the aviation training institutes do not follow the procedure of using a top quality head set.  
   
 
 
 
  Q 8. Do you have a proper Air Traffic Control( at private airports)?  
  A 8. We at the SVKM have a proper and state of art Air Traffic Control manned by a Retired Dy GM of the Airport Authority of India.  
   
 
 
 
  Q 9. Do you have safety services viz Crash Fire Tender, Ambulance and Search and Rescue vehicles ( at private airports)?  
  A 9. Shirpur airport is equipped with all brand new safety vehicles.  
   
 
 
 
  Q 10. Do you have a dedicated R/T frequency allotted for operational use(for private airport)?  
  A 10. Shirpur airport has been allotted a dedicated R/T frequency by Min of Telecommunication.  
   
 
 
 
  Q 11. Do you have a license for storing fuel?  
  A 11. Academy at Shirpur has a proper license for storing aviation fuel of required grade.  
   
 
 
 
  Q 12. Do you have a proper fuel storage building approved by IOC?  
  A 12. Shirpur airport has a proper fuel storage shed approved by IOC.  
   
 
 
 
  Q 13. What kind of boarding and lodging facilities are provided to trainee pilots?  
  A 13. We at SVKM provide state of art five-star standard hostel accommodation to trainee pilots, as well as top class cuisine in a top class mess dining hall.  
   
 
 
 
  Q 14. As  parents can we stay in the accommodation for few days to check the facilities?  
  A 14.

Yes. At SVKM you are welcome to stay with us and dine in the same mess where your ward will stay.

  
   
 
 
 
  Q 15. Does your airport (for private airports) have a proper perimeter fencing and guards?  
  A 15. Shirpur airport has a 10 feet high barbed wire fencing manned by 6 guards and a security supervisor round the clock equipped with walkie talkie.  
   
 
 
 
  Q 16. Do you have night flying facilities viz electrical runway lights, rotating beacon etc (for private airports)?  
  A 16. At Shirpur we have a fully operational electrical runway lighting system along with a rotating beacon.  
   
 
 
 
  Q 17. What are the navigational aids available at the airport (for private airports)?  
  A 17. At Shirpur Automatic Direction Finder (ADF) is available and serviceable. Also, all aeroplanes at Shirpur are equipped with ADF.  
   
 
 
 
  Q 18. In case my ward or I decide to discontinue the training in your institution, will you refund the balance amount without any delay?  
  A 18. We undertake to refund the balance amount within a month of you deciding not to continue your training with us.  
   
 
 
 
  Q 19. Can you give a written undertaking about the  refund of balance?  
  A 19. Yes. We at SVKM will give written undertaking for the same.  
   
 
 
 
  Q 20. How long will you take to forward my documents  viz FTPR etc to my new institution?  
  A 20. Your documents as well as accounts will be settled within 30 days of receipt of your written application, stating that you do not wish to continue flying with us. We also confirm that there will be no hidden charges levied.  
   
 
 
 
  Q 21. How many aeroplanes does your institution have and what type?  
  A 21. We have three of the most modern Cessna-172 R( Glass Cockpit) aeroplanes. We have a license for nine additional aeroplanes and two twin engine aeroplanes.  
   
 
 
 
  Q 22. Has your institute  laid down maximum number of students vis-a vis the number of aeroplanes on strength?  
  A 22. We have fixed a ratio of not more than eight trainee pilots for every aeroplane on strength. Thus SVKM will not exceed the figure of 24 with current strength of three aeroplanes. Aeroplane-to-trainee ratio of more than 1:8 will not enable proper flying to every trainee.  
   
 
 
 
  Q 23. Has your institute laid down any limit for number of students being trained by each instructor?  
  A 23. Yes. At SVKM we do not allow more than five trainees per instructor for ensuring proper monitoring, briefing and de-briefing etc.  
   
 
 
 
  Q 24. Does your CEO/Accountable Manager have an aviation background?  
  A 24. Yes, he has. Our CEO has spent nearly four decades in aviation and is himself a Qualified Flying Instructor. He is capable of monitoring the entire spectrum of flying training. He is not a “ penny Counting” CEO/Accountable Manager.  
   
 
 
 
  Q 25. What is the core strength of your institution?  
  A 25.

The core strength of SVKM’s Academy of Aviation lies in the fact that we see ourselves as professionals, not businessmen.

  
   
 
 
 
  Q 26. What are the facilities at your Academy/ Flying Club?  
  A 26. Facilities at SVKM  are as follows:-
  • Privately owned airport with unrestricted flying facility.
  • Airport cleared for night flying.
  • Electrified Runway Lighting System.
  • PAPI , Rotating Beacon and NDB available and serviceable.
  • Brand new modern aeroplanes.
  • Top class residential accommodation for trainees.
  • Excellent messing facilities.
  • Secured and guarded premises.
  • Access to Gymkhana having swimming pool, gymnasium, dining facility, sauna bath etc.
  • Modern class rooms.
  • Air conditioned rest rooms at airport.
  • Providing them with top class reading material as well as ground classes.
  • Dedicated transportation facility from hostel to airport for trainees.
  • Professionally trained manpower.
  • Continuous monitoring of each trainee’s performance.
  
   
 
 
 
  Q 27. What is the duration of training?  
  A 27. SVKM has drawn up a 15 month programme for training, which includes three months of dedicated ground training for 450 hours. If the trainee pilot clears her/his papers in two attempts (six months), 200 flying hours can be completed in six months. Commencing flying without proper ground training is not only dangerous but also professionally disastrous for future growth.  
   
 
 
 
  Q 28. I have been told that CPL training abroad can be completed in nine months. Is that correct?  
  A 28. Yes it is correct. But the quality of training imparted, specially ground training, is at best suspect. When you choose to train in India, you can inspect the facility yourself and decide. When you go abroad for training, you merely see the web-site/brochure and speak to the agent. The agent charges you for sending you there as well as gets paid by the institution for finding a candidate. The agent is least interested in the quality of the training and what problems you might face. In addition, payments are made in lump sum; hence you cannot withdraw easily. Travel and stay expenses form a huge portion of your overall expenses. The foreign license is not valid in India unless you clear DGCA papers, which also takes time. Hence it is untrue that training abroad is either cheap, better or faster. In addition, training in India allows you to visit your home and also receive visitors at intervals.  
   
 
 
 
  Q 29. What is the cost of training at SVKM and what does it cover?  
  A 29. Composite cost of training at SVKM covers the following:-
  • Cost of 200 hours single engine flying on Cessna-172R(glass cockpit).
  • Instrument Rating
  • Accommodation for 15 months in a five star facility.
  • Messing Facility for entire duration including food/snacks at airport.
  • Original Publications costing nearly Rs 40,000/-.
  • International Standard David Clarke head set costing Rs 24,000/-.
  • Transportation to/from airport as well as regular trips to town.
  • Entire DGCA Fees.
  • Simulator Training.
  • Stationery and Training Material.
  • All Flying accessories viz maps, computers etc.
  • Facility to use Swimming pool, Gymnasium, Gymkhana.
  • Sports Facility.
  • Ground Training.
  • Uniform.
  
   
 
 
 
 

The total composite cost of training at SVKM IS Rs 24.70 Lakh payable in FIVE INSTALMENTS.

  
       
 

We at the SVKM aspire for excellence in every field we enter. We have entered the field of aviation training to make a substantial difference to the quality of training imparted. Existing facilities have obviously not measured up to expectations, hence a large number of trainees go abroad with little information on what awaits them. We believe that our transparency is our strength and that the composite cost of our training is actually cheaper than similar standard facilities in India or abroad.

Your decision to chose a flying school in India or abroad based entirely on supposedly  lower training costs by couple of lakh rupees may actually result in your losing a couple of million rupees owing to poor standards of training supported by even poorer infrastructure etc.