At PAU, learn how to fly a drone in 7 days
2
3
Ludhiana: As the use of drones is on the rise in many fields, including agriculture, and to meet the increasing need for trained pilots, a special training has begun at
Punjab Agricultural University
to produce skilled pilots. The week-long training is being conducted by the Department of Farm Machinery and Power Engineering faculty, under the aegis of the Directorate Generate of Civil Aviation (
DGCA
).
The DGCA had approved establishment of a Remote Pilot Training Organization (RPTO) at the university, and it became the first independent RPTO to be established in Punjab solely by any government organization.
The nearly week-long training includes theoretical training , simulator training, practical flight training, Regulatory and safety training and certification required for commercial drone operation in India. This certification serves as proof of their skills and adherence to regulatory standards. The training at PAU is for the rotorcraft category of Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS) in the small class, that weight up to 25 kg.
"The qualification is matriculation and the age from 18 to 55 years. The course fee is Rs 35,000 excluding GST. The validity of the certificate is 10 years, as per the Drone Rules of 2021 of the Government of India," said a source.
Sponsored Links
Sponsored Links
Promoted Links
Promoted Links
You May Like
Google Brain Co-Founder Andrew Ng, Recommends: Read These 5 Books And Turn Your Life Around
Blinkist: Andrew Ng's Reading List
Undo
Speaking on the development, Mahesh Kumar Narang, head, Department of Farm Machinery and Power Engineering (FMPE), said, "There is a growing demand for skilled remote pilots in the agricultural sector. After obtaining a Remote Pilot Certificate (RPC), certified drone pilots in Punjab can explore numerous career opportunities in both public and private sectors."
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
NDTV
a day ago
- NDTV
Aviation Watchdog Withdraws Window Shade Rule At Air Force Airports
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) announced that the advisory requiring the lowering of window shades during aircraft operations at Indian Air Force Joint User Airports (JUAs) has been withdrawn. However, the ban on aerial and ground photography at these airports remains in effect. The DGCA emphasised on Saturday that the prohibition on aerial and ground photography continues to apply to all aircraft operations at IAF JUAs. "Advisories to Air operators on the prohibition of aerial and ground photography and the lowering of window shades were issued as per instructions from the IAF to enhance operational safety at Joint User Airports (JUAs)," the DGCA said in a statement. The statement added, "However, after receipt of revised instructions, lowering of window shades is no longer required, while the prohibition on aerial/ground photography remains in effect for all operations at IAF JUAs." Earlier this month, the DGCA took a significant step to raise the standards of pilot training in India. On July 9, the aviation regulator formally launched a national ranking framework for Flying Training Organisations (FTOs) with the aim of improving transparency, consistency, and performance across the sector. The initiative aims to ensure standardisation, safety, and accountability in India's aviation training sector. The ranking system will be implemented as of October 1, 2025, and rankings will be published twice a year, on April 1 and October 1, to provide timely and updated evaluations of FTO performance. According to the DGCA's public notice issued on July 8, the ranking framework is designed to standardise training quality across DGCA-approved institutions, enhance transparency for students and their families choosing FTOs, encourage continuous improvement and adoption of global best practices, and support regulatory decision-making, including identifying high-performing institutions for possible expansion or partnerships. FTOs will be categorised into four tiers based on their performance scores: A++ (85% and above), A+ (70% to less than 85%), A (50% to less than 70%), and B (below 50%). FTOs placed in the 'B' category will receive formal notifications from DGCA to conduct internal reviews and take corrective actions. (Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
&w=3840&q=100)
Business Standard
a day ago
- Business Standard
DGCA removes window shade advisory, photography ban remains at IAF airports
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) announced that the advisory requiring the lowering of window shades during aircraft operations at Indian Air Force Joint User Airports (JUAs) has been withdrawn. However, the ban on aerial and ground photography at these airports remains in effect. The DGCA emphasised on Saturday that the prohibition on aerial and ground photography continues to apply to all aircraft operations at IAF JUAs. "Advisories to Air operators on the prohibition of aerial and ground photography and the lowering of window shades were issued as per instructions from the IAF to enhance operational safety at Joint User Airports (JUAs)," The DGCA said in a statement. The statement added, "However, after receipt of revised instructions, lowering of window shades is no longer required, while the prohibition on aerial/ground photography remains in effect for all operations at IAF JUAs." Earlier this month, the DGCA took a significant step to raise the standards of pilot training in India. On July 9, the aviation regulator formally launched a national ranking framework for Flying Training Organisations (FTOs) with the aim of improving transparency, consistency, and performance across the sector. The initiative aims to ensure standardisation, safety, and accountability in India's aviation training sector. The ranking system will be implemented as of October 1, 2025, and rankings will be published twice a year, on April 1 and October 1, to provide timely and updated evaluations of FTO performance. According to the DGCA's public notice issued on July 8, the ranking framework is designed to standardise training quality across DGCA-approved institutions, enhance transparency for students and their families choosing FTOs, encourage continuous improvement and adoption of global best practices, and support regulatory decision-making, including identifying high-performing institutions for possible expansion or partnerships. FTOs will be categorised into four tiers based on their performance scores: A++ (85% and above), A+ (70% to less than 85%), A (50% to less than 70%), and B (below 50%). FTOs placed in the 'B' category will receive formal notifications from DGCA to conduct internal reviews and take corrective actions.
Hindustan Times
a day ago
- Hindustan Times
Nearly half of technical posts in DGCA vacant
India's aviation safety regulator is operating with only 50% of its technical strength, with just 553 officials overseeing operations in one of the world's fastest-growing aviation markets, according to an internal document reviewed by HT. The regulator's sweeping remit includes airline operations oversight to airport certification, with the technical posts crucial from safety perspective — these teams are tasked to carry out airworthiness assessments and operational surveillance. (PTI File) The regulator's sweeping remit includes airline operations oversight to airport certification, with the technical posts crucial from safety perspective — these teams are tasked to carry out airworthiness assessments and operational surveillance. According to documents seen by HT, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has48%of its 1,063 technical posts vacant, hampering its ability to enforce regulations and conduct safety audits effectively in the world's third-largest aviation market. Of these, 400 posts were sanctioned and added in 2022 but remain to be filled. The staffing shortage comes at a time of close scrutiny of Indian aviation safety following the crash of Air India Flight 171 crash that killed 260 people in June. The sector has been booming, with India becoming the third largest domestic market after the US and China post the pandemic. The regulator's technical posts vacant include flight operations inspectors, who oversee airline safety compliance, airworthiness officers who ensure aircraft meet safety standards, air safety officers who investigate incidents, and aeronautical engineers who provide technical oversight. Chief flight operations inspectors (FOI) and senior FOIs lead these critical safety functions. The crisis extends to senior leadership levels. Currently, all 18 deputy director general posts in DGCA are vacant—some for over five years. 'The last promotions for some of the posts were filled three years ago. This delay is affecting not just current operations but also the next tier of leadership,' said a former DGCA official on condition of anonymity. Of the vacant deputy director general (DDG) posts, six are from the airworthiness directorate, six from operations, two from air safety and four from other directorates including flying training and regulation information. The former official quoted above added that the vacancies have a cascading effect. 'Since DDG posts are empty, there's no one eligible for promotion to joint director general (JDG) post, which requires at least three years of DDG experience,' he added. 'The regulator at present has one vacant JDG post and 'if the backlog continues, we risk having a stage with no JDG officers in the coming years,' he added. A former bureaucrat stressed on the sweeping nature of the regulator's work. 'These officers are required in safety oversight in their respective areas, grant approval as assigned to them and contribute to policy making,' said this person, asking not to be named. 'If you remove one link, it no more remains a chain to bind any organisation. It's like removing all DCPs from Delhi police and then thinking that it can function with commissioners and inspectors.' 'The shortage of staff not only impacts safety but also the efficiency of the country's aviation regulator,' said another former bureaucrat, asking not to be named. 'The DGCA is undermanned and requires more specialists.' These issues were discussed at a July 9 meeting on civil aviation safety by the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Transport, Tourism and Culture. Despite repeated attempts, the DGCA did not respond to queries. The ministry of civil aviation did not respond to requests for a comment. The second former DGCA official cited above added that the problem has existed for years due to 'slow recruitment procedures and lack of budget,' calling the shortage of trained personnel a major concern. The staffing crisis affects the regulator's core functions at a time when India is attempting to improve its International Civil Aviation Organization safety rankings. Despite being the third largest domestic market by volume, the country ranks 48, albeit an improvement from 102 in 2018. In other countries, regulators work with far larger workforces. The US FAA employs 46,170 people, although 14,000 of these are air traffic controllers, while the UK's Civil Aviation Authority has about 1,000-1,100 staff. The DGCA relies on around 70 contract consultants to bridge gaps, although it does not employ air traffic controllers (unlike the FAA), who are on rolls of the Airports Authority of India. Former joint director general JS Rawat said the government needs to attract qualified personnel from industry by making pay competitive with market standards. 'With the rate at which Indian aviation is growing, it is essential to keep up the pace. Manpower shortages lead to delays in the functioning of the regulator, such as granting airline approvals and conducting checks,' he added. Parliamentary discussions also touched on the DGCA's lack of independence. The regulator functions as a statutory body under the ministry of civil aviation with limited financial and staffing powers. In contrast, the FAA has moderate autonomy under the US Department of Transportation, while the UK's CAA and EU's EASA operate as highly autonomous entities. 'This lack of independence impacts DGCA's ability to make swift policy decisions and allocate resources effectively,' said an official aware of the discussions. 'Considering the country's growth trajectory, it's not just autonomy but also a long-term plan that is essential. The government must come up with a forward-looking strategy, including a structure that supports the sector's growth over the next 30 years,' the official concluded.
