SPPU sees potential take-off, starts BTech in aviation with 20 seats

Pune: A bachelor of technology degree in aviation, touted to be the first in the country, has rolled out from Savitribai Phule Pune University.

Students completing the four-year course would have done the required flying hours to get a commercial pilot’s licence and would also be well-versed with the technology.

“There are courses for aviation under the BSc programmes in the country. This is the first technology engineering course in aviation that has been launched. Students who graduate will have a flying licence and will also be engineers,” Aditya Abhyankar, head of technology department, said.

The admission process has started for an intake of 20 seats. The university received 51 applications for the entrance examination. The merit list is out, and admissions are in process.

“We are flexible with the intake. We want the best to come, people who are passionate about flying, because this is a niche and intensive course,” added Abhyankar.

The department has tied up with five flying institutes abroad to train students. Three institutes are in the US. The Aviation Institute of Flying in US has two outlets in New York and North Carolina.

The university has also tied up with Flying Academy based out of Miami in Florida, SSL in Germany and an institute in South Africa.

31/07/19 Ardhra Nair/Times of India