Cubex to train pilots

The booming aviation industry and shortage of pilots have caught the attention of yet another new player wanting to establish a pilot training school in India.

In collaboration with Canada-based Winnipeg Aviation flying school, Cubex India, manufacturer of mining and construction equipment and headquartered in Mumbai is planning to enter the pilot training domain in India.

The company has submitted proposals to the state governments of Gujarat, Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh for acquiring permission to use a private air-strip for the school.

Cubex India has been associated with Winnipeg Aviation for offering pilot pilot training and technical courses in aircraft maintenance and aviation management in Canada.

After overseeing the pilot training for 34 students from India in the recent times, the company has decided to take the plunge into the sector in India.

The school will offer 50 hours and 200 hours of flying training and has decided on an intake of 34 students in the first batch. After that it plans to ramp up the intake to 50 students subject to approvals.

The company has applied for required licenses with the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), which is expected to take 10 months to process.

"The school will have eight aircraft which will consist of of Cessna 152s and Cessna 172s, and one Piper Seneca," said Hemant Shah, MD, Cubex India, adding that he has initiated preliminary discussions with Cessna.

From the second batch onwards, Cubex will offer certificate courses in aircraft maintenance and aviation management similar to the ones offered at Winnipeg aviation in Canada.

For faculty, Shah plans to bring in six qualified instructors from Canada and has already appointed an NRI from Australia as the Chief instructor for the course. During the course, the students will be sent to Winnipeg Aviation for international exposure.

"There is a shortage of at least 5000 pilots in the aviation sector in India today. As more and more international airlines set up shop in the country, the number of jobs being created in this sector is huge which the Indian youth must capitalise on," said Shah.

Fees for the course has been pegged at Rs 20 lakhs per student. The company has placed Indian students from Winnipeg Aviation at various domestic and international airlines and is confident of emulating the same with its students at the school in India.