| Pilot training is gaining a lot of interest and momentum | | | | is 17 years and an educational qualification of 10+2 |
| these days especially among the aviation enthusiasts | | | | along with a Medical Fitness Certificate issued by the |
| and hobby fliers who may wish to rent an aircraft and | | | | Armed Forces Central Medical Establishment |
| for those who own a personal aircraft. Owning an | | | | (AFCME). |
| aircraft is no longer a symbol of status among the | | | | Although there are various types of aircraft, many of |
| who’s who. Learning to fly one’s dream | | | | the principles of pilot training have common techniques. |
| machine is what completes the whole package when | | | | All pilot training courses consist of some combination |
| it comes to flaunting one’s wealth. This has resulted | | | | of theoretical learning conducted on the ground and |
| in mushrooming of many aviation academies in India | | | | practical exercises conducted in the air. Initial pilot |
| like Chimes Aviation Academy, which boasts of | | | | training is often conducted in specialized training aircraft |
| providing private pilot training on the much famed | | | | (most aviation academies use Cessna 172), which are |
| Cessna 172 and is also one of the best aviation | | | | designed for benign handling characteristics and lower |
| academies in the country. | | | | costs compared to the aircraft which the pilot |
| To become a private pilot, one has to obtain a Private | | | | concerned is ultimately aiming to fly. |
| Pilot License (PPL) which permits the holder to act as | | | | Aviation academies train an individual on the various |
| the pilot of an aircraft privately (i.e. he does not fly an | | | | skills required to fly an aircraft. It teaches a pilot the |
| aircraft for any remuneration). The requirements to | | | | process of flying an aircraft through the air with proper |
| obtain the license are determined by the International | | | | direction and control. It also teaches the students to |
| Civil Aviation Authority (ICAO), but the actual | | | | understand the weather forecasts. |
| implementation varies widely from country to country. | | | | Private pilot training program mainly require high level of |
| While undergoing training at an aviation academy, the | | | | innovative mind capabilities and great aptitude skills. |
| student is given a Student Pilot License. Student Pilot | | | | This supports the candidate to get the concept in an |
| License is given to those with 10+2 with science and | | | | easy manner. |
| aged at least 16 years should register at a flying club | | | | However, with such busy and fast paced life, many |
| which is recognized by Directorate General of Civil | | | | passionate fliers do not get time to fulfill their dream. |
| Aviation (DGCA), Government of India. | | | | Thus Chimes Aviation Academy has come up with a |
| The second step is the Private Pilot License (PPL). | | | | Cruiser (Executive PPL) programme which enables the |
| PPL training includes sixty hours of flying of which | | | | student to pursue flying with a convenient, personalized |
| about fifteen hours are dual flights, that is accompanied | | | | over the weekend schedule. The schedule is designed |
| by the flight instructor and at least 30 hours of solo | | | | to make the student a Private Pilot License holder in |
| flights apart from five hours of cross-country flying. | | | | just nine weekends. Currently, Chimes Academy has |
| This makes one eligible for the Private Pilot License | | | | Bollywood actors Kunal Kapoor and Chitrangda Singh |
| exam. The prescribed age for appearing for this exam | | | | and ace golfer Jyoti Randhawa as its students. |