TNN Dec 25, 2003, 11.59pm IST
MUMBAI: Soaring high into its 75th year, the Bombay Flying Club (BFC) at Juhu, which nurtured Indian civil aviation, aims to give wings to a larger number of youngsters by reducing the cost of training.
"We do not want aviation to remain the exclusive preserve of only the affluent.We want to cut down the cost of flying and make the skies accessible to more youngsters, who are currently unable to fly because of the exorbitant costs,'' said BFC president Neetu Gupta. The plan is in keeping with
the new aviation policy whose goal is to make air travel in India more affordable for the public. Ms Gupta explained to TNN that currently a private pilot's license costs Rs 2 lakhs for 60 hours of flying.
A commercial pilot's license would be in the realm of Rs 8.5 lakhs for the mandatory 250 hours of flying—something few people can afford.
Even after forking out this amount, there is no guarantee of immediate employment with any airline. There are at least 900 unemployed pilots in India at present.
"We are exploring the possibility of bringing down the cost for both the courses by half,'' said Ms Gupta. She said this would be possible if the Airports Authority of India (AAI) permitted the use of the club premises by outsiders to hold meetings and host social events.
Ms Gupta said that the club officials had been in regular touch with the AAI on this issue. "We have been telling them that if it is hired by outsiders it will not jeopardise safety standards,'' she said.
"We are looking into the matter,'' remarked an AAI official when contacted. At present the club has about 500 members and six planes—four Cessnas and two Pipers.
"In order to improve the cash flow to the club and also increase its membership, we are also exploring the possibility of starting new aviation-related training courses,'' she said. On Monday, a prog r amme has been organised at the club to mark its platinum jubilee.
Over the last 75 years, a number of eminent people have been trained in the club. J.R.D. Tata was the first person to secure a flying licence from the club. The institution became very popular among the elite of Mumbai because eminent personalities like Mr Tata and Mr Neville Wadia were its members.
The club faced some turbulence when air traffic restrictions were imposed on it because of the movement of commercial jets from nearby Mumbai airport. "These restrictions have now considerably eased,''Ms Gupta said.
