Pune: Affordable Pilot Training at Hadapsar Gliding Centre Under Threat Amid Privatization Plans
Hadapsar, 27th December 2024: The privatization of the Gliding Centre in Hadapsar, the only facility in the country that trains pilots, is progressing rapidly. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) is set to transfer the centre to the Airports Authority of India (AAI) on 31st December. However, neither the AAI nor the DGCA has clarified the future of this 250-acre facility. Speculation suggests that the centre will be privatized once the AAI assumes control.
If privatization occurs, aspiring pilots may face significantly higher costs. Currently, a single flight at the Gliding Centre costs only Rs 187, while private flight training institutes charge approximately Rs 14,000 per flight. The Gliding Centre provides comprehensive pilot training at an affordable fee of Rs 30,000-40,000, covering weather studies, emergency procedures, and practical experience. With courses ranging from six months to two years, the centre offers high-quality training under skilled instructors, making it a crucial and economical option for aspiring pilots.
Additionally, the gliding trips offered at Rs 187 highlight the centre’s commercial potential. The looming privatization raises concerns that this accessible and affordable avenue for pilot training may become out of reach for many.
The Airports Authority of India has not yet clarified what it will do with the land once it gets its hands on it. However, the Airports Authority is considering commercial use of the land. In this, it is considering turning it into a museum, apart from aero sports, hotels, and restaurants. However, if that happens, facilities will be available here, but more money will have to be paid for it. Pilots will be trained by a private institution. However, they will certainly have to pay more for it than they do now.
After independence, 18 gliding centres were established across the country to promote progress in the aviation sector. The goal was to make pilot training affordable, allowing individuals from ordinary backgrounds to pursue their dream of becoming pilots. Over time, 17 of these centres were shut down, leaving the Hadapsar Gliding Centre as the only operational facility in India. Since it is subsidized by the government, pilots pay just Rs. 187 for a single gliding flight.
Gliding training is a crucial step for pilots before obtaining a commercial license. It provides trainee pilots with invaluable experience in engine-less flights, helping them develop superior flying skills. However, the future of the Hadapsar Gliding Centre is uncertain, with discussions underway about converting it into a private flight training institute. While this change might bring new facilities, it could also make pilot training significantly more expensive, potentially placing it out of reach for many aspirants.
Gliding involves flying a small, engine-less aircraft weighing about 200 kg. These aircraft travel at speeds of 30-40 knots per hour, reaching altitudes of approximately 3,000 feet within a 5-nautical-mile airspace. Each flight accommodates two people, offering an exhilarating yet peaceful flying experience.
Pune MP and Union Minister of State for Civil Aviation and Cooperation, Murlidhar Mohol, stated, “The necessary facilities will be provided once the gliding centre comes under the control of the AAI. I will visit the gliding center soon. What will be done there has not been decided yet. The right decision will be taken after discussing with everyone.”
