BIT signs MoU for Flying Training Institute

Birla Institute of Technology,Mesra has signed an MOU with the Jamshedpur Cooperative Flying Club (JCFC) to establish a joint venture flying training institute that will provide the flying training required for a new three year B.Sc. (Aeronautical Sciences) degree course proposed to be offered at BIT. The MOU, which was signed by Shri Dulal Bhuiyan, Minister, Govt. of Jharkhand, on behalf of JCFC and Dr P. K. Barhai, Vice-Chancellor, BIT, Mesra is an initial step towards BIT introducing the new undergraduate degree course. The proposed new course will integrate a broad based education with the ground instruction and flying training prescribed by DGCA for the Commercial Pilots License (CPL), which is the basic license required by students aspiring to become commercial pilots.
In addition to the syllabus prescribed by DGCA for different licenses the curriculum for the proposed new course will include advanced training in the basic sciences and relevant engineering disciplines that will help students to understand how various factors affect the aircraft and its flight. Subjects like computer science, IT, environmental sciences, psychology, economics and management will be included in the curriculum with a view to develop a wide perspective and broad outlook that is required for the potential airline transport pilot to handle complex situations that he may be required to face on his own. The curriculum will give due attention to developing communication skills and honing students’ inter-personal skills and leadership qualities. A broad based education will also allow the pilots trained under BIT’s programme to take up management positions in the Aviation sector. Many leading universities in the developed countries offer such programmes but it will be the first of its kind in India.
The MOU with JCFC provides for the theoretical and laboratory classes to be conducted by BIT, Mesra and the flying training to be provided by the new joint venture flying training institute. The services of a British consultancy company are likely to be retained for advise on selection of aircraft, simulators and other equipment, recruitment of Flight Instructors, maintenance practices, logistics planning, ground operations, quality control and safety requirements.
The intake of students is proposed to be limited to 40 per year with 50% quota for students from Jharkhand and usual reservations for SC and ST categories. Additionally, students of SC /ST and BPL categories sponsored by Govt. of Jharkhand will also be admitted. Students will have two early exit options: the first after completing 2 semesters’ work including all flying training required for the Private Pilots License (PPL) and another after completing 4 semesters’ work including all flying training required for the CPL. Students who leave under the early exit options will be awarded appropriate diplomas instead of the B.Sc. degree, but they will be permitted to return within a stipulated period to complete the degree requirements.
04/09/08 Birla Institute of Technology