Tamil Nadu - Chennai   

Madras Flying Club permitted to offer aviation maintenance course

T.S. Shankar

Also gets nod for engine overhaul workshop

CHENNAI: The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has permitted the Madras Flying Club (MFC) to offer aviation maintenance engineering (AME) course and set up an engine overhaul workshop.

"We will make a concerted effort to see that the younger generation of economically weaker sections in the interior parts take up flying as a career. MFC is in the process of approaching the Tamil Nadu Government to provide scholarships for these students to become Commercial Pilot Licence holder," says Jacob Selvaraj, Air India pilot and chairman of the Madras Flying Club.

"We will seek the assistance of District Collectors to help create awareness among students in interior pockets of the State to encourage them to take up flying as a vocation and make it affordable to the economically weaker sections."

The MFC will make detailed presentations to Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi, Union Minister of Communications and Information Technology Dayanidhi Maran, and Union Finance Minister P. Chidambaram.

Sholavaram airstrip

The MFC will approach Tamil Nadu and Puducherry Governments to help refurbish the airstrips at Sholavaram near Chennai and Lawspet on the outskirts of the Union Territory.

Capt. Selvaraj wants the Government to stop quarrying of gravel around the Sholavaram airfield. "The Government can hand over the Sholavaram airfield to the MFC to help kick-start flying activities." At present, trainee pilots have to go to Vellore for their training.

Tourism promotion

Capt.K Sebastian Joseph, Deputy General Manager (Operations) of Indian and Honorary Secretary, says the MFC has two Cessna 152- Aerobat training aircraft. "We are planning to seek the assistance of the Tamil Nadu Government to buy a Cessna 172 and multi-engine aircraft not only to promote flying activity but also to start joy rides as part of tourism promotion."

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