Symbiosis-Cubex to start aviation academy in Pune

Winnipeg firm ties up with Pune's Symbiosis flight training

BY A CORRESPONDENT
February 16, 2006

An aviation academy to train pilots, maintenance engineers and technicians to bridge the shortage of skilled personnel in India's expanding aviation industry is being set up in Pune by Symbiosis Institute of Pune and Cubex India, a Winnipeg-based company. Cubex will invest $1 million in the venture, while the classes would be conducted on the premises of Symbiosis Institute.

The school will conduct its academic and ground training modules in Pune, while flying training for the commercial pilot licence (CPL) will take place in Canada. It will conduct short-term (6-14 months) courses approved by the Director General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and Transport Canada to train pilots and ground staff.

"Ground training for pilots will take place here and we are also hoping to get permission from the Ministry of Civil Aviation to conduct flying lessons for a student pilot licence course," Symbiosis joint director Vidya Yerwadekar said. She said the Symbiosis institute would obtain training aircraft if permission to conduct the student pilot course was granted.

The flying academy is planning to offer courses on aircraft maintenance and aviation management. It will also have a course for serving pilots who wish to move over to management and courses to train ground-handling staff will also be conducted.

However, the dates for starting the flying academy have not yet finalised.