The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has launched a comprehensive ranking system for Flying Training Organizations (FTOs) in India, effective from October 1, 2025. This bi-annual ranking initiative is designed to promote transparency, safety, and operational excellence within the Indian flight training sector.

The DGCA’s new ranking framework aims to provide prospective pilots and other stakeholders with a clear benchmark for evaluating the quality and performance of DGCA-approved FTOs. The system applies to all FTOs that have completed at least 18 months of operation by August 31, 2025, with subsequent rankings to be published every April and October.

Ranking Categories and Scoring

FTOs are categorized based on their overall percentage score, according to the following scale:

• A+ Category: 85% and above

• A Category: 70% to less than 85%

• B Category: 50% to less than 70%

• C Category: Below 50%

As of the first ranking published on October 1, 2025, no FTOs achieved ‘A+’ or ‘A’ status. Thirteen organizations were classified as ‘B’, including Chimes Aviation Academy, SVKM’s NMIMS Academy of Aviation Shirpur, and Bihar Flying Club. The majority—22 organizations—fell into the ‘C’ category, such as Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Uran Akademi (IGRUA), Redbird Flight Training Academy, and Ambitions Flying Club.

Category ‘A+’ FTOs

• None

Category ‘A’ FTOs

• None

Category ‘B’ FTOs

1. Chimes Aviation Academy

2. SVKM’s NMIMS Academy of Aviation Shirpur

3. Bihar Flying Club

4. Orient Flights Aviation Academy

5. Skynex Aero Pvt. Ltd.

6. FSTC Flying School Pvt Ltd

7. Patiala Aviation Club

8. Haryana Institute of Civil Aviation

9. Jet Serve Aviation Pvt. Ltd.

10. Nagpur Flying Club

11. National Flying Training Institute

12. Banasthali Vidyapith Gliding and Flying Club

13. Rajiv Gandhi Academy for Aviation Technology

Category ‘C’ FTOs

14. Dunes Aviation Academy

15. Garg Aviations Ltd.

16. The Bombay Flying Club

17. Chetak Aviation

18. Ekvi Air Training Organisation Pvt. Ltd

19. Academy of Carver Aviation Pvt. Ltd.

20. Ambitions Flying Club Pvt. Ltd

21. Flytech Aviation Academy

22. Indian Flying Academy

23. Sha –Shib Flying Academy

24. Government Aviation Training Institute

25. Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Uran Akademi (IGRUA)

26. Redbird Flight Training Academy

27. Telangana State Aviation Academy

28. Alchemist Aviation Private Limited

29. Falcon Aviation Academy

30. Wings Aviation Pvt. Ltd

31. Asia Pacific Flight Training Academy Limited

32. The Gujarat Flying Club

33. The Madhya Pradesh Flying Club Ltd.

34. Pioneer Flying Academy Pvt Ltd

35. Blue Ray Aviation Pvt Ltd

Excluded from This Ranking Phase

• Avyanna Aviation Academy (did not complete 18 months as on 31.08.2025)

• Vision Flying Training Institute

• Aviation Connectivity Infrastructure Developers Pvt. Ltd.

• Jharkard Flying Institute

• Government Flying Training School (approval not valid as on 31.08.2025)

Evaluation Criteria for FTO