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PATIALA, December 20
Declaring that the era of aviation being a playground only for the wealthy is over, Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Saturday outlined an ambitious roadmap to position Punjab as a major hub of the aviation industry in the coming years. While interacting with aircraft engineers and trainees at the Patiala Flying Club, the Chief Minister said the Punjab Government is building a robust aviation ecosystem by providing quality, affordable, and world-class training aligned with industry needs, enabling children of farmers, shopkeepers, and teachers to pursue careers once considered out of reach.
Emphasising that his government’s focus is on creating job givers rather than job seekers, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said the upcoming Aviation Museum in Patiala will not only preserve India’s flying heritage but also inspire a new generation to aim higher.
During his interaction with aircraft engineers on Saturday, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said he was delighted to engage in a dialogue session at the Patiala Flying Club with 32 trainee pilots and 72 students from the Patiala Aircraft Maintenance Engineering College. “Among the 32 trainee pilots, most belong to the first generation in their families entering the aviation sector. In private institutes, becoming a commercial pilot costs ₹40–45 lakh, while at the Patiala Flying Club, a nearly 50% subsidy reduces the fee to ₹22–25 lakh,” the Chief Minister said.
The Chief Minister noted that this reduction of nearly ₹20 lakh makes it possible for students from ordinary households—such as those of shopkeepers, teachers, farmers, clerks, and others—to dream of becoming pilots. “An Aviation Museum is being established at the Patiala Aviation Complex at a cost of ₹7 crore. This museum will showcase MiG aircraft, second-generation helicopters, simulators, and aviation heritage, providing valuable knowledge to students and the public,” he said.
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CM Mann added that the museum aims to inspire school students and youth to pursue aviation. On this occasion, the Department of Civil Aviation’s new website, dca.punjab.gov.in, was also launched.
The Chief Minister said the Patiala State Aviation Council, Punjab, aims to give every child a chance to fulfil their dream of flying high. “For decades, pilot training was accessible only to the very wealthy, but with government support and subsidies, Punjab has broken this barrier through the Patiala Flying Club. Established in 1965 and spanning 253 acres, it is one of the largest aviation training campuses in India,” he noted.
He said the Patiala Flying Club ranks seventh nationwide and currently operates seven training aircraft, including five single-engine planes, two multi-engine planes, and one newly added Tecnam P2006T (purchased from Italy for ₹5 crore). “Facilities include night landing capability at Patiala airfield and training experience at Amritsar International Airport. A career in aviation is not limited to becoming a pilot, as many students wish to work in the sector without necessarily flying,” he added.
For them, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, the Punjab Government offers affordable technical education at the Patiala Aircraft Maintenance Engineering (AME) College, which runs India’s most economical AME and B.Sc (Hons) programs.
The Chief Minister said the 3-year B.Sc (Hons) + 3-year Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA)-approved AME program costs only ₹3 lakh in total, whereas the same course in other states costs ₹5–8 lakh. “33% of seats are reserved for SC and BC students, ensuring new opportunities in this field are opened for the common man,” he stated.
CM Bhagwant Singh Mann expressed immense pride and satisfaction that more than 4,000 trained professionals from the Patiala Flying Club and College are working in major companies, earning an average starting salary of ₹1.5 lakh per month.
The Chief Minister said key Indian airlines like IndiGo, Air India, Air India Express, and SpiceJet; general aviation firms like Tecnam, Boeing, and VSR Aviation; charter companies; and MRO organisations like the Adani Group, as well as other flying clubs where they serve as flight instructors, are the main employers for graduates of this prestigious institute. “The focus of this government is to ensure that youth become job givers instead of job seekers. This is the need of the hour to build a progressive and prosperous Punjab through the proactive involvement of the youth,” he asserted.
Extending good wishes to the students for a bright and prosperous future, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann expressed hope that they will carve a niche for themselves in the coming days. He urged the youth to stay grounded and believe in hard work, as it is the sole key to success, adding that this land offers immense scope for progress and prosperity. The Chief Minister encouraged the youth to create their own identity and strive to leave their mark on society, reminding them that the sky is the limit.
On this occasion, Health Minister Dr. Balbir Singh, AAP State General Secretary Baltej Pannu, MLAs Ajitpal Singh Kohli, Chetan Singh Jauramajra, Gurdev Singh Dev Mann, PRTC Chairman Ranjodh Singh Hadana, Planning Committee Chairman Tejinder Mehta, Mayor Kundan Gogia, Deputy Mayor Jagdeep Singh Jagga, Chairman Baljinder Singh Dhillon, Civil Aviation Department Secretary Sonali Giri, Deputy Commissioner Dr. Preeti Yadav, SSP Varun Sharma, Municipal Corporation Commissioner Paramjit Singh, along with trainee pilots of Patiala Flying Club and students and instructors of the Aircraft Maintenance Engineering College, were also present.
