By IANS
Gondia (Maharashtra) : Make-shift pilot training arrangements were made operational at the upcoming National Flying Training Institute (NFTI) in Birsi near here for trainees of Rae Bareli pilot training academy with the arrival of six trainees along with two France made TB-20 and a King Air plane Friday.
Temporary arrangements have been made for three months in view of dense fog and generally inclement weather making solo flight training impossible at Rae Bareli Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Uran Academy (IGRUA).
Airport Authority of India (AAI) officers hope the transfer of training facility here would facilitate early completion of the institute coming up here, with nearly 50 percent of work yet to be done.
While one trainer from IGRUA has started imparting training at Birsi, trainees will come in batches from Rae Bareli even after the winter months, thus making the NFTI functional ahead of schedule, senior IGRUA administrative officer D.K. Mahesh told IANS.
Mahesh said efforts would be made to draft simulators for pilot training as per International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) norms for multi-pilot licensing system but this will be done at a later stage.
NFTI manager Jagtar Singh told reporters Friday that 100 acres of land has already been acquired for the institute and another 300 acres will be required for office, new Air Traffic Control, staff quarters, hostel and other facilities.