DGCA Unveils Rankings of Flying Schools; No Top Ratings Achieved

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has published its inaugural rankings of flying training organisations in the country, revealing that none of the 35 assessed organisations achieved the highest ratings of ‘A+’ or ‘A’. The rankings, aimed at evaluating the quality of flight training, have garnered attention within the aviation sector.

Among the 35 Flying Training Organisations (FTOs) evaluated, thirteen received a ‘B’ rating, while twenty-two fell into the ‘C’ category. The assessment criteria included operational aspects, overall performance, safety standards, compliance measures, and the level of support provided to students.

The ranking system is structured to classify FTOs based on their scores. Organisations scoring 85 percent and above are designated as ‘A+’, while those scoring between 70 percent and less than 85 percent earn an ‘A’ rating. FTOs with scores from 50 percent to less than 70 percent are classified as ‘B’, and those scoring below 50 percent are assigned a ‘C’ rating.

This initial evaluation has led to the exclusion of five FTOs from the rankings. Four of these organisations had not yet completed the required 18 months of operational activity, while one was not approved for ranking.

The DGCA’s move to rank flying schools is part of a broader effort to enhance aviation standards and ensure that training institutions meet specific safety and operational benchmarks. This ranking initiative reflects an increasing focus on accountability and quality within the aviation training sector.

As the aviation industry continues to evolve, the DGCA’s rankings may encourage FTOs to improve their offerings and strive for higher ratings in future assessments. The absence of top-rated organisations highlights the challenges that training institutions face in meeting the rigorous standards set forth by the regulator.