Civil aviation sector faces pilot shortage; 12 IAF pilots join AI

New Delhi, Apr 22 (UNI) The civil aviation sector in the country faces a shortage of 1000 trained pilots even as 12 pilots from the Indian Air Force have been inducted into Air India.

Civil Aviationminister Praful Patel informed the Rajya Sabha today that while 12 IAF pilots have joined Air India, the civil aviation sector in the country faces a shortage of approximately 1000 'type rated' pilots.

''The induction of IAF pilots is on the basis of their flying experience in the Air Force and subsequently passing examnination conducted by directorate general civil aviation (DGCA) for civil licence followed by Air India's training for 'P 2' endorsement on type of their aircraft,'' he said in a written reply.

He said so far no proposal has been received from private airlines for induction of IAF pilots.

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