BANGALORE: With a shortage of nearly 500 professionally trained pilots, the country's booming aviation sector is dependent on costly imports. But the general aviation sector, which is now at a nascent stage with a handful of flying training schools and personal aircraft, could make all the difference if the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) allows it to grow with relaxed rules.

Showing the first signs of a turnaround, general aviation has just got a boost with the Bangalore-based Indus Aviation bagging a contract for supply of 10 two-seater Thorpedo T-211 aircraft from the Pune-based pilot training institute, Academy of Carver Aviation Pvt. Ltd. Six of these aircraft are now under production at the Indus facility here. But these are early days. Indus Aviation president Ram Pattisapu feels the country should have a lot more light aircraft manufacturers to cap the huge potential in general aviation. "General aviation, the field of personal aircraft, private helicopters, small aircraft for farm spraying, small business jets and recreational aircraft, is a virtually unexplored area here. The United States has 200,000 such aircraft. We have an acute shortage," he told The Hindu.

India is not so short of aviation infrastructure. "We have around 400 airports, but they are not properly used. Aviation fuel is not available everywhere. There is a need to create a network," Dr. Pattisapu said. With its obsolete rules on flying and licensing, the DGCA is not helping matters either. "Getting a DGCA certificate is tough. The examinations are tough. The regulations have to be eased," he said. For the few players in the general aviation sector today, the airports are virtually closed because of flight restrictions.

The lack of a general aviation policy and adequate infrastructure can be dangerous. With most flying clubs in the country in disarray and those functional relying on decades-old aircraft, professional training is hard to get. Moreover, there is a shortage of four-seater and six-seater aircraft.

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