India's aviation sector is growing rapidly, and so is the demand for quality pilot training. If you're wondering how to become a pilot in India, one of your first decisions will be choosing the right flying school. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), under the Ministry of Civil Aviation, periodically evaluates and ranks all approved Flight Training Organisations (FTOs) across India. These rankings help aspiring pilots and their families make informed decisions about where to pursue their Commercial Pilot Licence (CPL) training.
The 2026 FTO rankings are a significant milestone — for the first time, an Indian FTO has achieved Category A status, reflecting a measurable improvement in pilot training standards across the country. Since the ranking system launched in October 2025, training flying hours across FTOs have increased from 32% to 50%, and the time taken for cadets to complete CPL requirements has dropped significantly.
Not sure which FTO is right for you? 📞 Book a Free Consultation — Our aviation career experts will help you shortlist the best flying school based on your budget, location, and goals. Absolutely free.
What Are FTO Rankings?
FTO rankings are an official bi-annual performance assessment conducted by DGCA to evaluate flight training academies. The ranking framework uses a weighted, data-driven evaluation across five parameters:
- Operational parameters (40%) – aircraft fleet size, simulator access, and training flying hours
- Safety (20%) – accident and incident history, safety management systems
- Performance (20%) – average time taken to complete 175 flying hours for CPL
- Compliance (10%) – adherence to DGCA regulations and ATC norms
- Student Assistance (10%) – grievance redressal mechanisms and placement support
Rankings are divided into three categories — A (Top Performance), B (Good Performance), and C (Needs Improvement) — giving aspirants a clear benchmark to evaluate each institution.
Why FTO Rankings Matter for Aspiring Pilots
For anyone pursuing pilot training in India, choosing the right FTO is one of the most consequential decisions of their career. A highly ranked FTO typically means:
- Higher first-attempt pass rates in DGCA exams and skill tests
- Better placement support and airline tie-ups
- Well-maintained aircraft with fewer training disruptions
- Structured curriculum aligned with international standards
- Stronger safety culture from day one of training
Pilot training fees in India range from ₹35 to ₹80 lakhs depending on the institution — making an informed choice based on official DGCA rankings can save both time and money. Always factor in pilot training cost alongside ranking when making your final decision.
Important: The FTO ranking reflects performance over the assessment period. Always verify current fleet strength, instructor availability, and CPL completion timelines before enrolling — conditions can change between ranking cycles.
FTO Rankings 2026 – Complete Official List
🏆 Category A – Top Performance
These FTOs have demonstrated exceptional standards across all evaluation parameters and represent the gold standard of pilot training in India.
| FTO Name | Location | Category |
|---|---|---|
| Avyanna Aviation Pvt. Ltd. | India | ⭐ Category A |
Avyanna Aviation Pvt. Ltd. is the sole FTO to achieve Category A status in the 2026 rankings — a historic first across both ranking phases. This reflects its commitment to world-class training infrastructure, high DGCA exam pass rates, and a strong safety culture.
✅ Category B – Good Performance
Category B FTOs meet DGCA's quality benchmarks and offer reliable pilot training in India. These institutions have consistently demonstrated good infrastructure, trained faculty, and satisfactory student outcomes.
| FTO Name | Notable Fact |
|---|---|
| Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Uran Akademi (IGRUA) | India's premier government-run flying academy, established 1985. Upgraded from Category C in October 2025. |
| The Bombay Flying Club | One of India's oldest flying clubs, established in 1928 in Mumbai |
| Gujarat Flying School | Regional institution serving western India |
| Academy of Carver Aviation Pvt. Ltd. | Private academy with modern training aircraft |
| Chimes Aviation Academy | Top-ranked in the inaugural October 2025 DGCA FTO rankings; known for structured CPL training programs |
| Flytech Aviation Academy | Active private FTO with its own airfield in Telangana and simulator facilities |
| FSTC Flying School Pvt. Ltd. | Focused on ab-initio pilot training |
| Garg Aviations Ltd. | Established private aviation training group |
| Govt. Aviation Training Institute (Odisha) | State-run government institute |
| Indian Flying Academy | Simulation-integrated training approach |
| Ekvi Air Training Organisation Pvt. Ltd. | Emerging private aviation training organisation |
| Chetak Aviation | Established FTO with multi-engine training capability |
Notable move: IGRUA jumped from Category C (October 2025) to Category B in the April 2026 assessment — a significant improvement reflecting better operational efficiency and training outcomes at India's flagship government flying academy.
⚠️ Category C – Needs Improvement
Category C FTOs are operational but have been flagged for improvement in one or more areas — including infrastructure, DGCA exam pass rates, safety records, or regulatory compliance. Aspirants are advised to research thoroughly before enrolling.
| FTO Name | State | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Redbird Flight Training Academy Pvt. Ltd. | — | — |
| Telangana State Aviation Academy | Telangana | — |
| Haryana Institute of Civil Aviation | Haryana | Slipped from Category B |
| SVKM NMIMS Aviation Academy | Maharashtra | Slipped from Category B |
| Sha-Shib Flying Academy | — | — |
| Skynex Aero Pvt. Ltd. | — | — |
| Vision Flying Training Institute | — | — |
| Rajiv Gandhi Academy for Aviation Technology | — | Slipped from Category B |
| The Madhya Pradesh Flying Club | Madhya Pradesh | — |
| Jharkhand Aviation Training Institute | Jharkhand | — |
Important notices:
- The Government Flying Training School (Karnataka) has been excluded from the April 2026 rankings — its FTO approval status lapsed as of February 28, 2026. Do not enrol.
- Falcon Aviation Academy, previously in Category C (2025), has been removed entirely after being declared non-operational since February 2023.
- Haryana Institute of Civil Aviation, Rajiv Gandhi Academy for Aviation Technology, and SVKM NMIMS slipped from Category B to Category C in this assessment cycle.
What Changed: October 2025 vs April 2026
This is the second phase of the DGCA FTO ranking system. Here is a summary of the key movements:
| Change | Details |
|---|---|
| New Category A | Avyanna Aviation — first Indian FTO ever to achieve this |
| Upgraded to B | IGRUA moved up from Category C |
| Slipped to C | Haryana Institute of Civil Aviation, Rajiv Gandhi Academy, SVKM NMIMS, Nagpur Flying Club, Banasthali Vidyapith, Bihar Flying Institute, Patiala Aviation Club |
| Removed | Falcon Aviation Academy (non-operational since Feb 2023) |
| Excluded | Govt. Flying Training School Karnataka (approval lapsed Feb 2026) |
How to Use FTO Rankings When Choosing a Flying School
Here is a step-by-step approach to use these rankings wisely when selecting the best pilot training institute in India:
1. Start with Category A and B FTOs Prioritise your shortlist from Category A and Category B institutions. These have demonstrated the infrastructure and outcomes needed to help you succeed in DGCA examinations. Browse all DGCA-approved flying schools on Apano to compare options side by side.
2. Visit the academy in person Rankings give you a starting point — but always do an in-person visit. Check the aircraft fleet condition, simulator availability, hostel facilities, and speak to current students.
3. Ask for pass rate data A good FTO will openly share their DGCA written exam and skill test pass rates. Request batch-wise data for the last 2–3 years.
4. Check for DGCA approval status Verify the FTO's current DGCA approval at dgca.gov.in before paying any fees. Non-operational or suspended FTOs may still advertise.
5. Review the fleet size and aircraft type Ensure the academy has enough aircraft for your training hours without long waiting periods. Ask about the aircraft-to-student ratio.
6. Understand total pilot training fees and payment terms CPL training is a significant investment. Get a full cost breakdown — including ground school fees, flying hours charges, exam fees, and hostel costs — in writing before committing.
Need Help Choosing the Right FTO?
Shortlisting the best flying school from this list can still feel overwhelming — especially when ₹35–80 lakhs and 2–3 years of your life are at stake.
📞 Book a Free Consultation with Apano Aviation Experts
Get personalised advice on flying school selection, pilot training roadmap, and DGCA exam planning — absolutely free.
Conclusion
The 2026 DGCA FTO Rankings mark a turning point in India's pilot training ecosystem. With Avyanna Aviation achieving the first-ever Category A rating under the government's 'Train in India, Fly in India' vision, and 12 institutions holding Category B status, the standards of commercial pilot training in India are clearly improving.
For aspiring pilots, these rankings are an invaluable tool. Use them as a starting point, supplement them with your own research, and make a decision that aligns with your career goals, pilot training budget, and timeline.
Related Reading:
- How to Become a Pilot in India – Complete Roadmap
- DGCA CPL Exam Pattern & Syllabus 2026
- Pilot Salary in India 2026 – Complete Guide
This article is based on the official FTO Ranking 2026 (Phase 2 — April 2026) issued by the Ministry of Civil Aviation, Government of India via PIB Press Note. For the most current information, always refer to the official DGCA website at dgca.gov.in.
