Report file

Submitted by- Garvit Srivastava (1618748007)

Submitted to-

Mrs. Ekta Sharma

(Assistant Professor Aero department)

 Table of contents

1. Introduction

2. History

3. Infrastructure

4. Organisation

5. Ground Training

6. Simulator

7. Engineering

8. Flying Operations

9. Future Plans
INTRODUCTION

Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Uran Akademi (IGRUA) is a pilot

training institute located at Fursatganj Airfield, in Amethi
district of Uttar Pradesh, India. Established in 1985, it was the
first such institute in India.
It is an autonomous institution and comes under the Ministry of
Civil Aviation, Government of India.
In August 2013 the Ministry of Civil Aviation announced that a
National Aviation University would be established on the IGRUA
site.
IGRUA is managed by CAE, Canada to scale up the standards at
par with international Standards since 1st Mar 2008 in
pursuance to the management contract between the Ministry
of Civil Aviation and CAE, Canada.

The foundation stone of Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Uran Akademi,

commonly called IGRUA, was laid by the then Hon’ble Prime
Minister of India, Late Capt Rajiv Gandhi on 07 November 1985.
OBJECTIVES
The objective of the Akademi is to conduct airline oriented
flying training courses to the level of contemporary
international standards. The courses offered are:
a) Ab-Initio to CPL Course on fixed wing aircraft. Instrument
rating and multi engine endorsement is part of this course.
b) Three years Graduation programme leading to award of
B.Sc. (Aviation) degree through Chhattrapati Shahuji Maharaj
University, Kanpur
c) CRM & Multi Crew Conversion Course on DA 42 aircraft.
d) Refresher Course for Certified Flying Instructors and Pilot
Instructors of Flying Training Institutes.
e) Courses for Assistant Flight Instructor Rating (A) and Flight
Instructor Rating (A).
f) Skill Tests for renewal of Licence for Ex-students of IGRUA on
requirement basis.
g) To provide Simulator training & checks and other facilities to
outside aviation agencies for their Pilots Selection & Interview.
h) Practical Training on aircraft to Diploma Holders in
Aeronautical Engineering.
HISTORY
On April 1983, a high level committee under the aegis of the then
Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation was constituted to examine
how to bridge the yawning gap between what was required and
what was available in pilot and allied training in the civil aviation
arena. The committee, after due deliberations recommended
setting up of a civil aviation academy which would cater to not just
flying but all other industry requirements pertaining to pilots (for
fixed and rotary wings), aircraft maintenance engineers (AMEs),
aircraft radio maintenance engineers, and so on. As usual,
bureaucratic lethargy and financial crunch ensured the
recommendations remained in cold storage till 1985 when the
then Prime Minister, Rajiv Gandhi, himself an airline pilot with
considerable experience, transformed this need into reality.

Named after his mother Indira Gandhi – the previous Prime

Minister of India, assassinated in 1984 – IGRUA came into being
in September 1986 at Fursat Ganj near Rae Bareli (Uttar
Pradesh) to bring about a quantum improvement in the standards
of flying and ground training of commercial pilots in the country.
Since March 1, 2008, IGRUA is being managed by CAE, Canada
to scale up the standards further, at par with international norms
in pursuance to the management contract between the Ministry of
Civil Aviation (MoCA) and CAE. Immediately after taking over the
management responsibilities

CAE started to scout for a new Director to take over the reins of
the Academy. Air Marshal (Retd) VK Verma, an ex-Commandant
of the Air Force Academy at Dundigal, near Hyderabad, who had
just retired from the IAF as the Director General (Flight Safety &
Inspection), was chosen in 2009 to lead IGRUA into a new and
better avatar to achieve the following objectives set by the
institution:-
  Ab-initio to CPL Course on fixed wing aircraft
 Three years Graduation programme leading to award of
B.Sc. (Aviation) degree through Chhattrapati Shahuji
Maharaj University, Kanpur.
 Multi-crew Co-operation Course in a twin-engine, DA-42
aircraft.
 Multi-engine Endorsement Course.
 Instrument Rating Course.
 Refresher Course for Certified Flying Instructors and Pilot
instructors of Flying Training Institutes.
 Courses for Assistant Flying Instructor Rating (A) and Flight
Instructor Rating (A)
 Skill tests for renewal of License for ex-students of IGRUA
on as required basis.
 To provide Simulator training and checks and other facilities
to outside aviation agencies to assist them in their Pilot
Selection programs.
 To provide practical training on aircraft to Diploma Holders in
Aeronautical Engineering.

It goes to the credit of Air Marshal Verma, also known as ‘Charly’

to his friends and colleagues in the IAF that in an unbroken stint
of close to five years since 2009, using his abundant experience
accumulated in the IAF; he has metamorphosed IGRUA – by not
only optimally using its existing facilities, but, also, by continuous
improvement in all areas of infrastructure and flying operations.
The result: A world-class flying institution, unmatched by any
other in India’s civil aviation sector.
INFTACTURE
The Akademi is equipped with most modern and sophisticated
trainer aircraft, up-todate audiovisual training aids and other
facilities for effective ground training. It employs qualified flying
and ground instructors, with long experience in the field of
aviation and flying training. The aim at IGRUA is not only to
train to make a pilot but also to make him an effective systems
manager in aeronautics. The flying trainees of the Akademi
acquire the standards required for their transit with ease into
the cockpits of the airlines.
The Akademi has fantastic infrastructure that permits the
growth of a school pass level individual to a confident
commercial pilot fit to be absorbed by the airlines. It has three
hostels (including a separate Girl’s hostel) which can house 248
boys and 40 girls on a twin sharing basis. IGRUA campus also
has residential accommodation for its staff. Its ground school is
housed in the residential area. The operational area has a 6080
feet runway with a parallel taxy track, dispersal area and three
hangars. The complete area is equipped with night flying
facilities including a PAPI. IGRUA airfield has its own nav and
landing aids in terms of VOR/DME and ILS. It has its own safety
services, Fuel Storage tanks and Air Traffic Services. IGRUA also
has dedicated air space earmarked for it to enable
uninterrupted training.
ORGANISATION
The Akademi is an Autonomous Body under the control of the
Ministry of Civil Aviation. The Governing Council with Secretary,
Civil Aviation as its Chairman is the highest body of the
organization. The Akademi is headed by a Director who is
assisted by Departmental Heads.

GROUND TRAINING
(a) Basic Training
On arrival at the Akademi, the students in the initial
phase undergo Ground Training in Basic Aviation
Science subjects along with the subjects specific to
the aircrafts like Zlin, TB-20 aircraft, DA40 and DA42
Aircraft which they are likely to fly.
The Ground Training in Aviation subject comprising
505 hours of Class Room Lectures. (380 hours for CPL
and 125 hours for ATPL Course)
This sets a sound foundation for the Line Oriented
Flying Training (LOFT) which follows, thus preparing
the Pilot Trainees to adapt to fast developing needs
of Aviation Industry.
(b) Audio Visual Aids
To impart ground training effectively, the Akademi
has modern audio-visual aids including a large
 number of video training films and slides, working
and schematic models of various aircraft components
and systems and a Computer Based Training (CBT)
system.
FLYING TRAINING
(a) Pre-flying Ground Training (PFGT)
PFGT is carried out by experienced flying
instructors. Group briefing on important
exercises is carried out over and above thorough
personal briefing and debriefing prior to and
after each flight on the simulator and aircraft.
(b) Simulator Training
Single engine training is carried out on two
Diamond DA40 flight simulators with CAE visual
system having 180 degree field of view. The
Akademi also has two single engine TB-20 flight
simulator with visual system for initial flying
training and instrument rating exercises. For
multi-engine training a Diamond DA42 flight
simulator with CAE visual system having 180
degree field of view is available. :3:
(c) AIRCRAFT
(i) The Akademi has Thirteen DA40 aircraft
equipped with glass cockpit.
 (ii) The Akademi also has Five Trinidad TB-20
aircraft. TB-20 aircraft is a piston single
engine aircraft with variable pitch
propeller, retractable undercarriage and
is equipped with modern Nav Aids.
(iii) In addition, the Akademi has Four Zlin
Z242L aircraft. It is a piston single engine
aircraft with fixed under carriage and is
equipped with modern Navigational Aids.
(iv) The Akademi has Two DA 42 aircraft. The
final stage of training is carried out on
this aircraft. This is a twin-engine aircraft.
The aircraft is equipped with modern and
sophisticated radio & navigational aids.
Particular attention is paid to Line
Oriented Flying Training. The students
graduate with multi-engine endorsement
and instrument rating on their
Commercial Pilot Licence.

(d) FLYING TRAINING SYLLABI For Ab-initio toCPL

trainees Single Engine
For Ab-initio to CPL trainees

- 20.00 hrs. Simulator training on FNTP.

 - 185.00 hrs flying on TB-20/DA-40/Zlin aircraft.

Multi-Engine Training
The trainees are graduated with CPL, Instrument
Rating along
Multi-engine rating endorsement on Diamond
DA-42 type of aircraft. They fly 15:00 hrs on it. In
addition they fly 15:00 hrs. on DA-42 Simulator.
(e) CREW RESOUCE MANAGEMENT (CRM) AND
MULTI CREW CONVERSION COURSE (MCC).
In addition to the ground and training syllabus,
trainees are put through a capsule course on
CRM. They also go through a two week MCC
after completion of their CPL syllabus. This
additional training prepares them better for
absorption in the airlines.
SIMULATOR
The following flight simulators and training devices are available at
IGRUA:

 Two Simulators for DA-40 aircraft with a very reallistic Visual

system of 180 degree field of view.
 One Simulator for DA-42 multi-engine aircraft with a very reallistic
Visual system of 180 degree field of view.
 Two fixed base Cockpit Procedure Trainers for TB-20 aircraft.
 A Glass Cockpit Procedure Trainer, which simulates eight different
aircraft from light single engine to advanced jets.
 Touch Panel Trainer for Boeing 737 aircraft.
 WOMBAT Pilot Aptitude Testing Device.
 Computer Based Interactive Training System.

The simulator training

exercises have been
designed to fly 20 hrs on
Single Engine Simulator
and 10 hrs on Twin Engine
Simulator. Before
commencement of flying
training on actual aircraft, the
students are trained on
simulators. They start with
basic checks, familiarization
with instrumentation on board
and approved procedures.
The simulator flying exercises progress concurrently with actual aircraft
flying training exercises. Bad weather and Emergency conditions and
possible technical snags in actual aircraft flying can be generated on
simulators to make our students more confident to face such
eventualities. The simulators have proved to be a powerful training aid
for certain exercises which may be quite risky or not possible at all on
actual aircraft. In simulators, the students do not need to wait for bad
weather season to gain experience under such conditions. The
simulator training thoroughly covers emergency procedures and equips
with advanced professional skills as demanded by the growing industry.
Engineering
The Engineering Department has trained and dedicated staff
and well-equipped workshop for reliable and efficient
maintenance of the aircraft and its components. The
maintenance is done as per the maintenance program specified
by the manufacturer and approved by the Indian Civil Aviation
Authorities. The Engineers certify airworthiness of the aircraft
and declare them fit for flying. Two huge Hangars provide space
for housing the aircraft and for carrying out various
maintenance activities. The Hangars include the following:
Quality Control Cell
• The Cell has stringent monitoring system to ensure
compliance of all airworthiness requirements and has a fool
proof recording system to keep a track of maintenance
schedules on the aircraft, life of major components installed,
updating of aircraft logbooks and compliance of Service
Bulletins/Airworthiness Directives/ Modifications on the
aircraft. The QC cell also assists the Flight Safety Officer in the
investigation of incidents and ensuring necessary steps for
corrective action for flight safety.
Avionics Shop
• The shop has dust free environment with temperature and
humidity control. It meets the DGCA requirements for
undertaking bench check, functional check and FTD/ Repair of
VHF/HF communication systems and navigation systems such
as ADF/VOR ILS/GPS/DME/ Transponder/ Radio Altimeter and
Weather Radar. The shop is equipped with state-of-the-art test
equipment and test benches to undertake specified jobs.
Battery Shop
• Both Lead Acid and Ni-Cd batteries of aircraft are
maintained, for routine charging, capacity testing, balancing of
electrolyte and overhaul.
Instruments Shop
• It is used for servicing various aircraft instruments, flight
and engine instruments installed on our aircraft fleet.
Bonded & Tools Store
• It is air-conditioned with humidity and temperature
control. It stores aircraft spares under specified storage
conditions. It has a complete set-up for procuring aircraft
spares and maintaining record of existing inventory and its
minimum float level. It also keeps record of release notes of
received goods, their storage and shelf-life and computerized
record of issue of spares to technical personnel. The Tools Store
contains all sophisticated tools including precision measuring
instruments and special tools.
Flying Operation

The Operational Area houses ATC cum Flight Operations ,

Simulators, three Hangars and Refuelling Station. IGRUA has its
own fire fighting facilities, Medical facilities, Night flying
facilities, independent Runway (1722m ), equipped with PAPI,
VOR / DME, ILS , own ATC , independent local flying area and
does not depend upon other airports for availability of modern
aids for training purposes.

During first 3 months the trainees are with the Ground Training
Faculty where they are taught and exposed to subjects like Air
Navigation, Principles of Flight, Technical (General & Specific),
Aviation Meteorology, Air Regulations and Radio Telephony
Restricted (A). There after they are routed to Flight Operations
for Flying Training.

Before commencement of flying training on actual aircraft, the

students are trained on simulators. They start with basic
checks, familiarization with instrumentation on board and
approved procedures. The simulator flying exercises progress
concurrently with actual aircraft flying training exercises. Bad
weather and Emergency conditions and possible technical
snags in actual aircraft flying can be generated on simulators to
make our students more confident to face such eventualities on
actual aircraft.

The Flying Training at IGRUA initially commenced with 8 TB –

20 aircraft. To cater for large number of aspirants, IGRUA has
inducted additional state-of-the-art fleet with glass cockpits It
has now grown up with fleet as below

Single Engine Fleet:

Diamond DA-40 with GARMIN 1000 Glass Cockpit 13

Zlin Z242 L 4
TB-20 5
Twin Engine Fleet:

Diamond DA-42 2

Total 24
The trainees, finally, graduate as CPL holders with Instrument
Rating on both Multi and Single Engine aircraft as per DGCA
requirements.

Trainees get the right kind of exposure to different NAV AIDS,

with NDB, ILS, VOR, DME installation on the airfield together
with precision Approach Path Indicator (PAPI).
Future Plans
So what are the future plans for IGRUA? In the current 5-year
Plan Period, MoCA has planned to establish an ‘Air University’
at Fursat Ganj – only one of its kind in India. During a tour of
the two sites, the Director showed me the construction work
that has already commenced. The VOR DME site was also in the
process of being shifted to make room for the Administration
Building of the proposed University. In the meantime, the work
of additional land acquisition for the University is also being
progressed. MoCA also has plans to establish MRO and Cargo
hubs at Fursat Ganj, besides reintroduction of CHPL
(Commercial Helicopter Pilot Licence) courses in IGRUA.

What about the financial aspects of running such an

establishment, which calls for heavy investment in
infrastructure and training aids? IGRUA gets an annual
grant/subsidy from MoCA to complement what it earns as
training fees from the enrolled students to meet its overall
financial needs. “Self-reliance in financial terms is contingent on
the volume of output”, explains Verma. According to him
enhancement of Pilot Trainee intake from 100 to 200 per year
is on the anvil, while establishment of an AME School is also on
the cards.
But, the trainee intake can only increase if the present policy
quagmire with regard to the civil aviation in India is sorted out
in its entirety – Airlines, General aviation, MRO, tax regimes, et
al. It is hoped the new government at the Centre will take
necessary steps to pull out the sector from the deep abyss of
losses and debts it has sunk into, and make it realise its true
potential in the coming decades. Simultaneously, it would need
to look at the HRD aspects to ensure availability of adequate
quality manpower that the civil aviation sector will need after
the policy reforms have been put in place to spur the inevitable
growth in the civil aviation sector. Even though another flying
training facility had been set up at Gondia in Maharashtra by
the previous government, it may become necessary to open
two more civil flying academies to cater to the eastern and
southern zones of the country in tune with the rising demands.

IGRUA on its part – while remaining the ‘Crown Jewel’ of civil

aviation training in India – could play the role of a ‘Torch
Bearer’ for the new facilities.