Lucknow: The second phase ranking of flying training organisations (FTOs) released last week by the Union ministry of civil aviation (MoCA) has put Amethi’s Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Uran Akademi (IGRUA) at top 5th position, thereby making significant progress from its previous ranking.In Oct 2025, when the MoCA came up with the first FTO ranking, IGRUA bagged the 25th position. In all, 35 FTOs were evaluated on parameters including safety and compliance, operational efficiency and training outcomes such as trainee hours, assistance to students and instructor availability.With rank 5, IGRUA has been placed in category B, meaning the FTO scored less than 70% but above 50%. In all, 17 FTOs achieved category B while only one made it to category A, securing above 70% but less than 85%. The remaining 17 FTOs were placed in category C, securing below 50%.Director, IGRUA, Air Commodore Vipul Singh attributed an increase in aircraft utilisation rate – from 65 hours per month per aircraft to 161 hours per month per aircraft – and increase in strength of flying instructors as the top reasons for the great stride. “Between Jul and Nov last year, we increased the strength of flying instructors by 100% and ground instructors by 50%,” Singh said.He added that since Sep 1, 2025, there has been non-stop flying with only two breaks, one each on Diwali and Holi, at IGRUA. In addition, the FTO incorporated several measures to increase aircraft availability by 40% and enhance motivation and work ethics, Singh told TOI.Founded in Nov 1985 by the then PM Rajiv Gandhi, IGRUA is the oldest FTO in the country and has over 400 candidates who are undergoing training at present. Since then, the aviation regulator Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) came up with a first-ever ranking of FTOs last year.Aimed at strengthening India’s pilot training system, the ranking is being published bi-annually. While releasing the second phase, civil aviation minister Ram Mohan Naidu said that the objective in introducing an FTO ranking system in the country is to make pilot training more transparent and flying a more attractive career option for the youth.
