CM Mann: Punjab's New Subsidies Make Pilot Training Affordable for All

Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann outlined an ambitious plan. He aims to position Punjab as a major Punjab aviation hub. Mann declared the era of aviation for only the wealthy is over.

He spoke at the Patiala Flying Club (PFC) on Saturday. The government is building a robust aviation ecosystem Punjab. This system offers quality, world-class, and affordable pilot training India. It targets children of farmers, shopkeepers, and teachers.

Subsidized Pilot and AME Training

The state government introduced a significant Patiala Flying Club subsidy. Private institutes charge up to ₹45 lakh for a Commercial Pilot License (CPL). PFC's fee is now reduced to ₹22–25 lakh. This represents a nearly 50% reduction in the total commercial pilot license cost India.

Mann noted that most of the 32 trainee pilots are first-generation entrants. This fee reduction opens up aviation careers to ordinary households.

Technical Education Accessibility

For technical careers, the Patiala Aircraft Maintenance Engineering College offers India’s most economical programs. Their three-year B.Sc. (Hons) plus the three-year DGCA-approved AME program costs only ₹3 lakh. This course typically costs ₹5–8 lakh in other states. The college is a government-owned institution. It provides a dual qualification and hands-on training. Furthermore, 33% of seats are reserved for SC and BC students.

Infrastructure and Industry Impact

The Patiala Flying Club was established in 1965. It is one of India's largest training campuses, spanning 253 acres. The club operates seven training aircraft. This fleet includes a new Tecnam P2006T training aircraft, purchased from Italy for ₹5 crore. Training facilities include night landing capability at the Patiala airfield. Students also gain training experience at Amritsar International Airport.

An Aviation Museum is being established at the Patiala Aviation Complex. This museum will cost ₹7 crore. It will showcase India's flying heritage, including MiG aircraft and simulators. This aims to inspire a new generation to pursue aviation.

• Opportunity: More than 4,000 trained professionals from the college and club are working in major companies.
• Benefit: Graduates earn an average starting salary of ₹1.5 lakh per month.
• Goal: The government's focus is to create job givers, not job seekers.

Challenges and Future Outlook

While the subsidies address the financial barrier, the challenge remains. India’s growing aviation sector needs a steady supply of qualified personnel. This includes both pilots and maintenance engineers. This push by Punjab is a significant step toward meeting that demand. It also diversifies the talent pool for major Indian airlines. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) standards must be strictly maintained. This ensures the quality of the subsidized training remains world-class.