DGCA FTO Ranking
April 2026:
Complete Analysis
The second DGCA FTO ranking is due this month. Here is what the first ranking revealed, what each parameter actually measures, and how to use this data to make a flying school decision you will not regret.
In the first-ever DGCA ranking of India's 35 flying schools, not a single one achieved a Category A+ or A grade. 22 out of 35 were placed in Category C — below 50%. The ranking is a useful signal, but it is not the only factor in your flying school decision. This article explains what it measures, what it misses, and how to use it alongside other data points.
What Is the DGCA FTO Ranking?
On 1 October 2025, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) published the first-ever performance ranking of all DGCA-approved Flying Training Organisations (FTOs) in India. This was a landmark regulatory action — prior to this, no structured, government-backed quality assessment of Indian flying schools existed.
The ranking was introduced on the direction of the Union Minister of Civil Aviation, Rammohan Naidu, and announced by DGCA Director General Faiz Ahmed Kidwai. It uses a points-based evaluation system covering five parameters, with scores aggregated into four categories.
Rankings are published bi-annually — on 1 April and 1 October each year. The second ranking is scheduled for 1 April 2026. The assessment period for the inaugural ranking covered 1 September 2024 to 31 August 2025.
The second DGCA FTO ranking was scheduled for publication on 1 April 2026. As of the publication of this article (5 April 2026), the updated ranking may have been released on the DGCA website. We will update this article with the April 2026 results as soon as they are publicly available. The analysis below covers the October 2025 baseline and explains every parameter so you can interpret the new results yourself.
The Four Categories
| Category | Score | What It Means | Consequence |
|---|---|---|---|
| A+ | 85% and above | Exceptional across all parameters | No action. Recognised as top-tier |
| A | 70% – 84% | Strong performance, minor gaps | No action. Publicly recognised |
| B | 50% – 69% | Adequate but significant room for improvement | Expected to improve before next cycle |
| C | Below 50% | Below minimum acceptable standard | Formal DGCA notice for self-analysis and corrective action |
In the October 2025 inaugural ranking: zero FTOs achieved A+ or A. 13 FTOs were placed in Category B. 22 FTOs fell into Category C. 5 FTOs were excluded because they had not completed 18 months of operations.
Category C does not mean a school is illegal or that its hours do not count. It means the FTO scored below 50% on DGCA's evaluation parameters. The FTO remains DGCA-approved and can continue training students. However, it receives a formal notice from DGCA requiring self-analysis and improvement. If the school does not improve, DGCA may increase regulatory scrutiny or take further action.
The Five Evaluation Parameters
Understanding what each parameter measures — and how much it weighs — is critical for interpreting the rankings. Here is the complete breakdown.
Operational Aspects — The Biggest Factor
This is the single largest component — 40% of the total score. It covers: student-to-aircraft ratio, student-to-instructor ratio, total fleet size and aircraft types, simulator availability, and aircraft utilisation rates. A school with a large fleet but low utilisation (aircraft sitting on the ground due to maintenance or regulatory holds) will score poorly here. This parameter directly affects how quickly you accumulate flying hours.
FTO Performance
Measures the average time students take to complete 175 flying hours. A perfect score requires completion within 12 months. Schools where students take 18-24 months due to aircraft downtime, weather, or scheduling problems score poorly. This is the parameter that matters most for your timeline and total cost.
Safety Standards
Based on the number of accidents (18 points) and incidents (2 points) in the preceding 12 months. Zero accidents and incidents earns full marks. Critically, non-reporting of any accident or incident attracts a penalty of -5 marks per case from the overall total. This incentivises transparency over concealment.
Compliance Standards
Evaluated on: the number of significant safety concerns (Level-I observations) raised during DGCA surveillance inspections (5 points), and the number of Breath Analyser positive cases involving FTO personnel (5 points). Zero Level-I observations and zero BA positives earns full marks.
Assistance to Students
Covers student grievance redressal, scholarship availability, placement support, transparent fee policies, and student feedback mechanisms. While only 10% of the total, this is the parameter that most directly affects your experience as a student — and it is the easiest for FTOs to improve quickly.
October 2025 Results: Complete List
Below is the complete list of all 35 ranked FTOs and their categories from the inaugural October 2025 assessment. The April 2026 update will show which schools have improved, remained static, or declined.
Category B (13 FTOs — Score 50%–69%)
| # | Flying Training Organisation | Category |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chimes Aviation Academy | B |
| 2 | SVKM's NMIMS Academy of Aviation, Shirpur | B |
| 3 | Bihar Flying Club | B |
| 4 | Orient Flights Aviation Academy | B |
| 5 | Skynex Aero Pvt Ltd | B |
| 6 | FSTC Flying School Pvt Ltd | B |
| 7 | Patiala Aviation Club | B |
| 8 | Haryana Institute of Civil Aviation | B |
| 9 | Jet Serve Aviation Pvt Ltd | B |
| 10 | Nagpur Flying Club | B |
| 11 | National Flying Training Institute (CAE Gondia) | B |
| 12 | Banasthali Vidyapith Gliding and Flying Club | B |
| 13 | Rajiv Gandhi Academy for Aviation Technology | B |
Category C (22 FTOs — Score Below 50%)
| # | Flying Training Organisation | Category |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Uran Akademi (IGRUA) | C |
| 2 | Redbird Flight Training Academy | C |
| 3 | Telangana State Aviation Academy (Flytech) | C |
| 4 | The Bombay Flying Club | C |
| 5 | Asia Pacific Flight Training Academy Ltd | C |
| 6 | Alchemist Aviation Pvt Ltd | C |
| 7 | Falcon Aviation Academy | C |
| 8 | Wings Aviation Pvt Ltd | C |
| 9 | The Gujarat Flying Club | C |
| 10 | The Madhya Pradesh Flying Club Ltd | C |
| 11 | Pioneer Flying Academy Pvt Ltd | C |
| 12 | Blue Ray Aviation Pvt Ltd | C |
| 13 | Garg Aviations Ltd | C |
| 14 | Ekvi Air Training Organisation Pvt Ltd | C |
| 15 | Academy of Carver Aviation Pvt Ltd | C |
| 16 | Ambitions Flying Club Pvt Ltd | C |
| 17–22 | Six additional FTOs (see DGCA public notice for full list) | C |
Excluded from Ranking (5 FTOs)
Five FTOs were not ranked because they had not completed 18 months of operations as of 31 August 2025, or their approval was not valid at the cutoff date. These include Avyanna Aviation Academy, Vision Flying Training Institute, Aviation Connectivity Infrastructure Developers Pvt Ltd, and Jharkhand Flying Institute. These FTOs are expected to be included in the April 2026 or October 2026 rankings.
What the Ranking Does Not Tell You
The DGCA FTO ranking is a significant step forward. But it has limitations that you must understand before using it as your sole decision-making tool.
What the Ranking Covers
What the Ranking Misses
The ranking tells you how a school performed in aggregate over a 12-month period. It does not tell you how it is performing right now. A Category B school may have lost key instructors since the assessment. A Category C school may have invested in new aircraft. Always verify current conditions independently.
Why Some Students Choose to Train Abroad
The fact that no Indian FTO achieved a Category A+ or A rating — and that 63% of all FTOs fell into Category C — is a data point that many families find difficult to ignore when investing ₹40–60 lakhs in domestic training.
This is one of the reasons why an increasing number of Indian students choose to complete their CPL training at FAA Part 141, EASA ATO, or NZ CAA Part 141 approved schools abroad — in countries like the USA (Florida), Spain, Greece, and New Zealand. These schools are regulated by their respective national authorities and are not covered by the DGCA ranking.
The advantages of training abroad include: better weather consistency (especially in Florida and southern Spain), larger and newer fleets, lower student-to-aircraft ratios, faster completion timelines (8–14 months for 200+ hours), and exposure to international ATC and airspace procedures. The total cost — including training, living expenses, visa, and DGCA licence conversion upon return — ranges from ₹55 to ₹95 lakhs depending on the country.
If you train abroad, your foreign CPL (FAA, EASA, or NZ CAA) must be converted to a DGCA CPL to fly commercially in India. This requires clearing DGCA's Air Regulations and Composite exams, completing 10–25 hours of conversion flying at a DGCA-approved FTO, passing skill tests, and obtaining a DGCA Class 1 Medical. The process typically takes 3–6 months after returning to India.
How to Make Your Flying School Decision
The DGCA FTO ranking should be one input in your decision — not the only one. Here is a practical framework for evaluating any flying school, whether in India or abroad.
| Factor | What to Ask | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| Regulatory Approval | Is the school DGCA / FAA Part 141 / EASA ATO approved? | Unapproved hours do not count towards your licence |
| Fleet Serviceability | How many aircraft are currently flying vs. total fleet? | A large fleet on paper means nothing if most aircraft are grounded |
| Student-to-Aircraft Ratio | How many active students per serviceable aircraft? | Directly determines how often you fly per week |
| Completion Time | What is the average time to 200 hours for recent graduates? | Longer training = higher total cost + delayed career start |
| Instructor Quality | Are instructors full-time? What is their experience? | Part-time instructors create scheduling bottlenecks |
| Weather | How many VFR flying days per year at this location? | Monsoon, winter fog, and coastal weather halt training for months |
| Indian Student Track Record | How many Indian students completed in the last 12 months? | Schools experienced with Indian students understand DGCA logbook and conversion requirements |
| Cost Transparency | Is there a complete line-by-line fee breakdown with no hidden charges? | Schools that quote only "tuition" are hiding 20-40% of the real cost |
| Safety Record | Any accidents or incidents in the last 3 years? | Non-negotiable. Check DGCA/NTSB/EASA databases |
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