Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Uran Akademi

{{Infobox university

| name = Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Uran Akademi

| image = Socata TB-20.jpg

| caption = IGRUA's Trinidad TB-20 aircraft taking off

| motto = "Provide wings to dreams"

| mottoeng =

| type = Public

| established = {{start date and age|df=y|1985|11|7}}

| founder =

| accreditation = Directorate General of Civil Aviation {{small|(DGCA)}}

| address = Fursatganj Airfield

| city = Amethi district

| state = Uttar Pradesh

| country = India

| postcode = 229302

| coor = {{coord|26.2505|81.3767|type:edu_globe:earth_region:IN|display=ti}}

| students = 125 (CPL, 2023)

| campus = Urban

| academic_affiliation = Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia Avadh University {{small|(B.Sc)}}

| head_label = Ex-officio chairman

| head = Rajiv Bansal {{small|(Secretary, Ministry of Civil Aviation)}}

| director = B.N Singh

| website = {{url|igrua.gov.in}}

}}

Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Uran Akademi (IGRUA) is a public pilot training institute located at Fursatganj Airfield in Uttar Pradesh, India. Established in 1985, it is an autonomous institution under the Ministry of Civil Aviation, Government of India.{{cite web | title = Govt relaxes norms for top job at IGRUA |newspaper=The Indian Express| url = http://indianexpress.com/article/business/business-others/govt-relaxes-norms-for-top-job-at-igrua/ | date=26 March 2014 |access-date = 2014-04-13 }}

History

IGRUA was established by the Government of India in 1985 at Fursatganj Airfield as an autonomous institution under the Societies Registration Act, 1860, administered by a Governing Council under the ex-officio chairmanship of Secretary, Ministry of Civil Aviation.{{cite web |author1=PIB Delhi |title=Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Uran Akademi (IGRUA) sets a new record of 19000 flying hours in 2021; |url=https://pib.gov.in/PressReleaseIframePage.aspx?PRID=1787718 |publisher=Press Information Bureau |access-date=27 March 2023 |date=5 January 2022}}

The institute initially offered training for both commercial pilot license (CPL) for fixed-wing aircraft and commercial helicopter pilot license (CHPL) for rotary-wing aircraft.{{cite web|title=Indira Gandhi Uran akademi |url=http://raebareli.nic.in/uran.htm |publisher=Raebareli district website |accessdate=2014-04-13 |url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130730160455/http://raebareli.nic.in/uran.htm |archivedate=30 July 2013 }}

Infrastructure

File:Diamond DA42 (001).jpg twin-engine aircraft taking off.]]

IGRUA's infrastructure consists of its own independent airfield and airspace, 6080 feet runway, taxiway, apron, air traffic control, navigation and landing aids, hangars, fire fighting, aviation fuel station, hostels/mess, residential campus, sports facilities, auditorium among others.

IGRUA has three flying operations bases, one is its own Fursatganj Airfield, Uttar Pradesh, one in Gondia, Maharashtra, and other at Kalaburagi Airport, Karnataka.{{cite news |last1=C. S. |first1=Hemanth |title=Flying Training school is grounded |url=https://bangaloremirror.indiatimes.com/bangalore/others/flying-training-school-is-grounded/articleshow/80756836.cms |access-date=27 March 2023 |work=Bangalore Mirror |date=9 February 2021}} Flight training base is shifted to Gondia and Kalaburagi during winter season.{{cite web|author=PIB Delhi|title=AAI issued award letters for nine FTOs to be established at five airports|url=https://pib.gov.in/PressReleaseIframePage.aspx?PRID=1811887|publisher=Press Information Bureau|access-date=27 March 2023|date=31 March 2022}}

In 2013, the Ministry of Civil Aviation proposed a National Aviation University to be set up within the IGRUA compound. Rajiv Gandhi National Aviation University opened in 2018.{{Cite web|author=Press Information Bureau|title=Setting up of National Aviation University in India|url = http://pib.nic.in/newsite/erelease.aspx?relid=97137|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20181215122408/http://pib.nic.in/newsite/erelease.aspx?relid=97137|archivedate=15 December 2018|date=11 July 2013|accessdate=20 July 2015}}

Courses

File:Zlin 242-L.jpg single-engine aircraft parked at apron.]]

IGRUA conducts all-India entrance examinations for selection of cadets, shortlisted candidates then undergo pilot aptitude test / WOMBAT and finally a personal interview. Government's Press Information Bureau describes IGRUA as the "IIT of aviation".

The institution conducts flying training leading to the award of commercial pilot license. IGRUA also offers ancillary courses such as multi-crew cooperation and crew resource management.{{Cite web|url = http://igrua.gov.in/courses.htm|title = Courses Offered |accessdate = 21 July 2015}} IGRUA is also one of the approved institutes to carry out Certified Flying Instructors Refresher course by Ministry of Civil Aviation for Chief Flight Instructors, Flight Instructors, and Assistant Flight Instructors.

IGRUA also offers their commercial pilot license cadets the opportunity to pursue a three-year B.Sc. degree in aviation concurrently. Prior to 2021, this program was affiliated with Chhatrapati Shahu Ji Maharaj University,{{cite web|author=Ministry of Civil Aviation|title=IGRUA - Annual Report 2021-22|url=https://www.civilaviation.gov.in/sites/default/files/AR%20ENG%202021-22.pdf|publisher=Ministry of Civil Aviation|access-date=7 April 2023|page=70}} but as of 2022, the degree program is affiliated with Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia Avadh University.{{cite web|author=Ministry of Civil Aviation|title=IGRUA - Annual Report 2022-23|url=https://www.civilaviation.gov.in/sites/default/files/Annual%20Report%20of%20MoCA%202022-2023%20English.pdf|publisher=Ministry of Civil Aviation|access-date=7 April 2023|page=85}}

IGRUA also conducts drone training for RPAS pilots, and English Language Proficiency course. On-job practical training are given to students undergoing diploma in aeronautical engineering and Aircraft Maintenance Engineering.

Besides training IGRUA's own cadets, the campus also gives pilot training to cadets of Indian Air Force, Indian Navy, Indian Coast Guard, Border Security Force, and Indian airlines.{{cite news |last1=Singh |first1=Ajmer |title=Eye on polls, Rahul plans upgrade of flying school in UP |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/north/story/rahul-gandhi-plans-aviation-university-in-up-136528-2011-06-29 |access-date=27 March 2023 |work=India Today |date=30 June 2011}}

IGRUA has been a site for campus placements by various airlines, including Air India, IndiGo, and Air India Express.{{cite news |last1=Mishra |first1=Mihir |title=Sonia Gandhi takes up cause of IGRUA students; writes to government about dismal campus placement record of pilots |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/jobs/sonia-gandhi-takes-up-cause-of-igrua-students-writes-to-government-about-dismal-campus-placement-record-of-pilots/articleshow/47116374.cms |work=The Economic Times |date=1 May 2015}}{{cite news |author1=Press Trust of India |title=IndiGo to hire trainee pilots for A320s from IGRUA |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/transportation/airlines-/-aviation/indigo-to-hire-trainee-pilots-for-a320s-from-igrua/articleshow/64321261.cms |access-date=7 April 2023 |work=The Economic Times |date=25 May 2018}} In 2005, Qatar Airways made a few recruitments as part of bilateral negotiations between India and Qatar.{{cite news |last1=Mishra |first1=Mihir |title=Airline seats for LNG with Qatar may not pass muster - Indian Express |url=http://archive.indianexpress.com/news/airline-seats-for-lng-with-qatar-may-not-pass-muster/1212245/ |access-date=7 April 2023 |work=The Indian Express |date=27 December 2013}}

Collaborations

In 2007, IGRUA signed a management contract with CAE Inc. to manage IGRUA's flight school activities, including maintenance of aircraft, flying operations, air traffic control, runway, NAV aids, fire fighting facilities, medical facilities, security, staff and student facilities, and transportation.{{cite web |author1=Canada Newswire |title=Government of India signs an MOU with CAE to provide pilot training in two schools |url=https://money.tmx.com/fr/quote/CAE/news/5605604/Government_of_India_signs_an_MOU_with_CAE_to_provide_pilot_training_in_two_schools |publisher=TMX Group |access-date=27 March 2023 |date=19 June 2007}}

Delhi-based remote pilot training organization, Drone Destination, in association with IGRUA, opened four drone pilot training schools in India situated in Gurugram, Bangalore, Gwalior, and Dharmashala.{{cite news |author1=Press Trust of India |title='Drone Destination' to establish 150 drone pilot training schools by 2025: CEO |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/transportation/airlines-/-aviation/drone-destination-to-establish-150-drone-pilot-training-schools-by-2025-ceo/articleshow/91867989.cms |access-date=5 June 2023 |work=The Economic Times |date=29 May 2022}} In 2021, IGRUA signed a memorandum of understanding with Indian Aviation Academy to "impart quality education to budding pilots and prepare them for regulatory examination".{{cite news |last1=Mishra |first1=Mihir |title=AAI's aviation institute to train IGRUA pilots |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/transportation/airlines-/-aviation/aais-aviation-institute-to-train-igrua-pilots/articleshow/80217761.cms |access-date=7 April 2023 |work=The Economic Times |date=11 January 2021}} In 2022, Boeing made a strategic collaboration with IGRUA "to further emphasize safety and quality to aspiring airline cadets".{{cite news |author1=Press Trust of India |title=Boeing explores collaboration with IGRUA to enhance flight training |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/transportation/airlines-/-aviation/boeing-explores-collaboration-with-igrua-to-enhance-flight-training/articleshow/90493514.cms |access-date=27 March 2023 |work=The Economic Times |date=28 March 2022}} In the same year, IGRUA signed MoU with the Tamil Nadu Industrial Development Corporation (TIDCO) and De Drone World Solutions, with a target to produce 2500 drone pilots a year.{{cite news|author=Press Trust of India|title=Tamil Nadu Aims To Have 2,500 Drone Pilots A Year: Report|url=https://www.ndtv.com/tamil-nadu-news/tamil-nadu-aims-to-have-2-500-drone-pilots-a-year-report-3501248|access-date=5 June 2023|work=NDTV|date=8 November 2022}}

In Aero India 2023 exhibition, IGRUA signed a MoU with Flight Simulation Technique Centre (FSTC) to give type rating training to their cadets in Airbus A320, Boeing 737, ATR 72, and Q-400 aircraft.{{cite news|author=Press Trust of India|title=UP’s flying institute ties up with Flight Simulation Technique Centre for specialised training to student pilots|url=https://travel.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/aviation/domestic/ups-flying-institute-ties-up-with-flight-simulation-technique-centre-for-specialised-training-to-student-pilots/98197539|access-date=27 March 2023|work=The Economic Times|date=24 February 2023}}

Fleet

The IGRUA fleet comprises 13 aircraft, consisting of 11 Diamond DA40 and two Diamond DA42.

In the 2021-22 academic year, IGRUA achieved its highest-ever flying hours with a fleet of 18 aircraft, totaling 19,110 hours. The per aircraft utilization also reached 1062 hours per annum. This surpassed the previous record set in 2013-14, where 18,776 flying hours were logged with 24 aircraft, resulting in an average of 782 hours per aircraft.{{cite news|last=Sharma|first=Anu|title=IGRUA completes 19,000 flying hours in 2021-22|url=https://www.cnbctv18.com/aviation/igrua-completes-19000-flying-hours-in-2021-22-13015082.htm|access-date=5 June 2023|work=CNBC TV18|date=1 April 2022}}