Indian Flight Training Organisation (FTO), Redbird Flight Training Academy has entered into a contract with Airbus to provide type-rating training on the A320 for aspiring commercial pilots. 

Airbus will deliver the Jet Orientation Course and Multi-crew Cockpit Co-operation - theory and full flight simulator sessions to the students.

"This partnership with Redbird is another step forward in building  resilient and skilled professionals that will help address the growing demand for pilots in the region," said Edward Delahaye, Head of Customer Accounts, Airbus India and South Asia.

The training programme will start with Airbus-approved instructors at the Airbus India Training Centre (AITC) in Gurugram (near New Delhi), starting August 29, 2022. The duration of the training programme is 60 days. 

AITC already offers comprehensive and highly customised training programmes for pilots, maintenance crew and engineers. 

Redbird Flight Training Academy was established in 2018 and is a Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) approved FTO with a presence in the Indian states of Maharashtra, Karnataka, Assam, Madhya Pradesh & Delhi National Capital Region. Redbird operates a fleet of 20 trainer aircraft comprised of Tecnam P-2008JC, Tecnam P2006T and Cessna 172s. It plans to add six more aircraft in the next six months. 

India will need additional 34,000 pilots over the next 20 years according to Airbus’ Global Market Forecast 2022.