Pune gliding centre to be transferred to AAI by Dec 31 | Pune Information

The members of the gliding institute confirmed the deadline for the entire switch of land and belongings by December 31 this yr.

The knowledge to that impact was given to GCP in July this yr. In accordance with pilots related to the GCP, as soon as the handover is accomplished, the operations could both proceed beneath AAI or be transferred to a personal entity.

Established on November 7, 1950, and unfold throughout roughly 250 acres, the establishment was inaugurated by India’s first Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru, with the imaginative and prescient of making a nationwide centre to coach glider pilots and gliding instructors. It was instrumental in establishing and contributing to the gliding and flying coaching amenities on the Nationwide Defence Academy (NDA) in Pune. Among the many 18 such centres that had been as soon as operational throughout India, this centre is named the mom institute and is the one one nonetheless functioning beneath the Directorate Normal of Civil Aviation (DGCA). Nevertheless, the MoCA’s directive Might probably have an effect on the operations.

The RTI response highlights that the choice was taken following suggestions from a three-member committee chaired by Joint Director Normal Pooja Singh Mandal of the DGCA and authorized recommendation from the Solicitor Normal of India. The doc notes that the transfer addresses a possible battle of curiosity, as DGCA, being the air security regulator, shouldn’t handle operational establishments like GCP.

Sources reveal {that a} committee to supervise and determine the higher utilisation of GCP was shaped post-COVID beneath MoCA, comprising members such because the Joint Director Normal (JDG) of DGCA, Chairman AAI, and the Director of Directorate of Flying Coaching (DFT), DGCA. The committee then really useful that GCP can be handed over to AAI on the aim of PPP.

“AAI could hand over the operations, administration and growth of GCP to a personal Gliderdrome Operator (‘the Concessionaire’) on a PPP foundation,” states half b of para 2 of the RTI.

Why is the GCP allegedly not performing

A senior pilot, related to GCP since 1999, alleged that flying actions and coaching have been halted since round 2018 in consequence Director of the Directorate of Flying Coaching (DFT) having revoked the teacher authorisation of the teacher in-charge at GCP, essentially the most senior official on the centre.

He mentioned, “The authorities are claiming that the centre is non-performing and that no coaching flights are going down. How can coaching actions be performed when the DFT director has withdrawn the authorisation of the senior-most official for the final 5 years?”

Categorical tried to contact the centre’s teacher in-charge however there was no response.
In accordance with sources, there are practically 30 registered ab-initio trainees who’ve been ready since 2018 to start their coaching, and round 4 to five trainee instructors, who’ve met the required {qualifications}, have been ready since August to start their teacher’s course.

GCP’s significance

The Gliding Centre Pune (GCP) had as soon as garnered important authorities consideration, with as many as 10-12 gliders hovering by way of the skies. Regardless of the DGCA’s effort to acquire 16 gliders in 1994, which had been distributed to numerous gliding golf equipment in India, 4 had been offered to GCP. Nevertheless, GCP is now left with simply two operational gliders, which stay the lifeblood for the pilots. In Might 2012, GCP earned recognition within the Limca Ebook of Information and was documented beneath World Report 2013 for finishing 153 takeoffs and landings inside 12 hours and 52 minutes. At present the centre primarily conducts pleasure rides for the general public.

Reflecting on his years of affiliation with the centre, one other senior pilot expressed deep concern. “What is going to occur subsequent this?” he questioned, recalling his experiences since becoming a member of the establishment in 2000. “There was a time once we had been breaking flying data. However resulting from years of lack of assist, the centre is now going through an existential disaster. The DGCA has requested us to cease the operations by December 31, 2024, leaving the way forward for this historic aero sports activities facility unsure,” he mentioned.

Moreover, the pilots claimed that the minimal cost of Rs 187 has inspired folks from throughout India—starting from day by day wage laborers to college students—to expertise the enjoyment of flying, one thing that may not be potential with a personal operator.

Through the years many trainees from GCP have pursued profitable careers in nationwide and worldwide airways, in addition to the Indian Air Drive. An aspiring younger pilot, Ruchira Gore grew to become the youngest pilot in India on the age of 16 years and three months to obtain solo flying permission. Whereas Gore was the youngest, Laxman Kokate from Pune was the oldest pilot to obtain a glider pilot license in 2012 on the age of 61.

Reflecting on his journey, Kokate mentioned, “It was a dream I couldn’t fulfill throughout my time within the Air Drive as I used to be within the Schooling division. However the centre made it potential, with over 250 flights beneath my belt. Many aspiring younger pilots are trying ahead to their future at this government-owned centre, which provides minimal but efficient amenities.”

Categorical tried to contact the Director Normal of DGCA by way of telephone and e mail concerning the difficulty, however didn’t obtain any response.