Quality on mind, DGCA to rank flying schools

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has announced the introduction of a formal ranking framework for all Flying Training Organisations (FTOs) under its purview, a senior officer said here on Wednesday. It will come into effect from October 1.

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The new mechanism is part of the DGCA’s broader strategy to build a performance-driven and accountable training ecosystem to improve safety standards in aviation.

The initiative comes at a time when the aviation industry is under intense scrutiny following the Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad.

The officer said, “The ranking system is intended to help aspiring pilots make informed choices and encourage institutions to adopt best training practices. It will also aid policy decisions for international collaboration or expansion and identify institutions that require closer monitoring.”

He said the rankings would be published bi-annually on April 1 and October 1 every year, and will categorise FTOs based on an objective scoring mode like A++, A+, A and B. Organisations falling into the ‘B’ category will receive notices from the regulator to undertake self-assessment and improve performance.

The DGCA will rely on data submitted by the FTOs, which will be subject to verification through audits and inspections. Any misreporting or non-compliance will affect rankings and trigger regulatory action.

“The ranking framework is designed to instil a culture of excellence and continuous improvement in pilot training,” the officer said, adding that the initiative will play a crucial role in ensuring a steady supply of quality-trained pilots.