Pune gliding centre to be transferred to AAI by Dec 31

The members of the gliding institute confirmed the deadline for the complete transfer of land and assets by December 31 this year.

The information to that effect was given to GCP in July this year. According to pilots associated with the GCP, once the handover is completed, the operations may either continue under AAI or be transferred to a private entity.

Established on November 7, 1950, and spread across approximately 250 acres, the institution was inaugurated by India’s first Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru, with the vision of creating a national centre to train glider pilots and gliding instructors. It was instrumental in setting up and contributing to the gliding and flying training facilities at the National Defence Academy (NDA) in Pune. Among the 18 such centres that were once operational across India, this centre is known as the mother institute and is the only one still functioning under the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). However, the MoCA’s directive May likely affect the operations.

The RTI response highlights that the decision was taken following recommendations from a three-member committee chaired by Joint Director General Pooja Singh Mandal of the DGCA and legal advice from the Solicitor General of India. The document notes that the move addresses a potential conflict of interest, as DGCA, being the air safety regulator, should not manage operational institutions like GCP.

Sources reveal that a committee to oversee and decide the better utilisation of GCP was formed post-COVID under MoCA, comprising members such as the Joint Director General (JDG) of DGCA, Chairman AAI, and the Director of Directorate of Flying Training (DFT), DGCA. The committee then recommended that GCP would be handed over to AAI on the purpose of PPP.

“AAI may hand over the operations, management and development of GCP to a private Gliderdrome Operator (‘the Concessionaire’) on a PPP basis,” states part b of para 2 of the RTI.

Why is the GCP allegedly not performing

A senior pilot, associated with GCP since 1999, alleged that flying activities and training have been halted since around 2018 as a result Director of the Directorate of Flying Training (DFT) having revoked the instructor authorisation of the instructor in-charge at GCP, the most senior official at the centre.

He said, “The authorities are claiming that the centre is non-performing and that no training flights are taking place. How can training activities be conducted when the DFT director has withdrawn the authorisation of the senior-most official for the last five years?”

Express tried to contact the centre’s instructor in-charge but there was no response.
According to sources, there are nearly 30 registered ab-initio trainees who have been waiting since 2018 to begin their training, and around 4 to 5 trainee instructors, who have met the required qualifications, have been waiting since August to commence their instructor’s course.

GCP’s significance

The Gliding Centre Pune (GCP) had once garnered significant government attention, with as many as 10-12 gliders soaring through the skies. Despite the DGCA’s effort to procure 16 gliders in 1994, which were distributed to various gliding clubs in India, four were provided to GCP. However, GCP is now left with just two operational gliders, which remain the lifeblood for the pilots. In May 2012, GCP earned recognition in the Limca Book of Records and was documented under World Record 2013 for completing 153 takeoffs and landings within 12 hours and 52 minutes. Today the centre mainly conducts joy rides for the public.

Reflecting on his years of association with the centre, another senior pilot expressed deep concern. “What will happen next this?” he questioned, recalling his experiences since joining the institution in 2000. “There was a time when we were breaking flying records. But due to years of lack of support, the centre is now facing an existential crisis. The DGCA has asked us to stop the operations by December 31, 2024, leaving the future of this historic aero sports facility uncertain,” he said.

Additionally, the pilots claimed that the minimal charge of Rs 187 has encouraged people from across India—ranging from daily wage laborers to students—to experience the joy of flying, something that would not be possible with a private operator.

Over the years many trainees from GCP have pursued successful careers in national and international airlines, as well as the Indian Air Force. An aspiring young pilot, Ruchira Gore became the youngest pilot in India at the age of 16 years and three months to receive solo flying permission. While Gore was the youngest, Laxman Kokate from Pune was the oldest pilot to receive a glider pilot license in 2012 at the age of 61.

Reflecting on his journey, Kokate said, “It was a dream I couldn’t fulfill during my time in the Air Force as I was in the Education department. But the centre made it possible, with over 250 flights under my belt. Many aspiring young pilots are looking forward to their future at this government-owned centre, which offers minimal yet effective facilities.”

Express attempted to contact the Director General of DGCA via phone and email regarding the issue, but did not receive any response.