Jakkur flying school to resume pilot training after receiving five-year DGCA approval

The Government Flying Training School at Jakkur Aerodrome in Bengaluru is set to restart its pilot training operations after receiving a five-year approval certificate from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). The fresh approval ends a period of uncertainty for the historic institution, allowing it to resume its flight training courses.

The civil aviation regulator issued the certificate of approval on July 16, which will remain valid until July 15, 2031. This approval allows the 77-year-old institution to resume various training programmes, including student pilot licences, private pilot licences, and other flight training courses.

The decision brings significant relief to the school after the DGCA had not renewed its training certification following the expiration of its previous approval in December 2023. This delay had raised serious concerns over the future of the facility, which is recognized as one of India’s oldest flying schools.

During this period of uncertainty, the Karnataka government under Chief Minister Siddaramaiah had initially considered expanding the Jakkur runway by three acres. The government later proposed to shift the entire training facility to the Mysuru aerodrome.

However, the state government had to back out of the relocation proposal following strong opposition from aviation experts and heritage conservationists. Opponents of the move alleged that the relocation plan was linked to real estate interests.

The state government had argued that shifting the school to Mysuru would enable high-rise construction around Jakkur, where building height restrictions currently apply due to aviation safety norms.

Established in 1949 on land donated by the then Maharaja of Mysore, Jayachamarajendra Wadiyar, the school is now fully authorized to train candidates for student pilot licences, private pilot licences, commercial pilot licences, flight radio telephone operator licences, single-engine and multi-engine aircraft training, and flight instructor training programmes.