ASA launches B'lore operations

BANGALORE: The US-based pilot training institute American School of Aviation (ASA) has launched recruitment and consultancy operations in Bangalore. Currently, it has a similar facility in Gurgaon. ASA has also appointed Avomats, an aviation consultancy firm, as its business associate for facilitating recruitment process in Bangalore.

Priced at around Rs 25 lakh, the 12-14 months Indian Special Flight Training Program (ISFTP) course is open for all aged above 17. This course will include preliminary training at ASA’s Gurgaon centre, followed by academic and flight training at Atwater, the California facility of ASA in the US.

Reny Kozman, V-P of ASA (US), said: “Bangalore is and will continue to be the national centre for aviation activities, with major brands of the private sector in the process of making Bangalore their main hub of activities. Hence, we chose to come to Bangalore which is the Aviation Capital of India.”

With India needing more than 5,000 pilots in the next five-seven years, many international pilot training institutes are cashing in on the moment. According to industry estimates, India has just 900-1,000 pilots who fly more than 250 aircraft. The scheduled airline sector alone needs more than 400 pilots a year but gets only 100 new pilots.

Meanwhile, ASA has tied up with Kingfisher Airlines for offering 8-10 months Kingfisher Airlines Programme (KFA) in the US. ASA India does the psychometric testing for the aspiring candidates and successful candidates are then referred to Kingfisher Airlines for an interview. The selected candidates also get a provisional letter of appointment from the Kingfisher Airlines.