Nagpur: The Nagpur Flying Club has completed 75 years of its existence, but there are hardly any signs of any celebrations.
The Club which had remained closed for almost four years, was reopened by former State Environment Minister Aditya Thackeray just four months ago. He had also promised various facilities such as modern aircraft, hostel and simulator for the Club while re-launching the flight training.
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Friday 21 Feb. 2025
However, now four months later, the fate of Nagpur Flying Club hangs in balance following a change of guard in the State. To start training flights, five aircraft have been kept ready, but the situation of the Club, which started with one aircraft and eight trainees, is still the same. In the past four years, the Club authorities have been making excuses for not keeping it operational. As a result, recruitments were delayed and trainees have been waiting.
According to media reports, the fees were increased, but there is no initiative regarding hostel facilities and simulators. So far, there has been a severe lack of political will in relaunching Nagpur Flying Club and it needs urgent attention.
According to sources, 600 applicants will be appearing for the pilot training exam and 20 eligible candidates are to be admitted to the Flying Club through Mahajyoti scheme. However, they had been waiting for six months for this examination as the agency which will hold the test has not been finalized yet.
Now, the exam has been rescheduled for July. However, the candidates are still clueless about the admission process after they qualify the examination and when they will actually start flying.
The Flying Club needed a Chief Flying Instructor. Even after several efforts, the post remained vacant. The expert manpower required for the training as well as the Cessna owned by the club were given priority in terms of equipping all the four aircraft. The Flying Club has Cessna 152 (VT-EUK), Cessna 152 (VT-ENC), Cessna 152 (VT-EUL) and Cessna 172 R (VT-ALQ). Aviation training had come to standstill in 2017 due to several reasons. One of the reasons was the appointment of the Flying Instructor was not made.
