Kerala aviation academy to spread wings

Thiruvananthapuram: After lying idle for around 10 years, the Rajiv Gandhi Aviation Academy is all set to spread wings with two new aircraft next month.The state-owned institution has acquired a Cessna Nav and a Cessna Standard aircraft worth Rs 2 crore for imparting training.
The Academy which was shifted from Chakka recently owing to the construction of the new terminal for the airport is now functioning from a rented building at Enchackal.
“Airport Authority of India has allotted 2,500 square metres of land for the Academy. A new building will be constructed on the land at a cost of Rs 10 crore,” Sports and Youth Affairs Minister M.Vijayakumar told a news conference here on Wednesday.
Captain T.J.Joseph has been appointed as the Chief Flight Instructor. Training is expected to begin in February itself, the Minister said.
Twenty candidates will be admitted to the first batch. Admission will be based on a state-level entrance test, followed by an interview and a medical test. The minimum qualification for joining the course is Plus II or equivalent.
The charge for one-hour of flying is Rs 6,500. Around 200 hours of flying is required to obtain a commercial pilot licence. The candidates should remit a sum of Rs 50,000 as the fee for ground school.
10/01/08 Newindpress