In a major boost to aviation skill development, the Karnataka government has announced the establishment of its first-ever Flight Training Organisation (FTO) at Rashtrakavi Kuvempu Airport in Shivamogga. The initiative, led by the Karnataka State Industrial and Infrastructure Development Corporation (KSIIDC), aims to build world-class infrastructure to train aspiring pilots within the state.

Minister for Large and Medium Industries, M B Patil, shared that the FTO will begin by training 100 cadets, with the first 50 students starting in the inaugural year. Notably, 25 per cent of seats will be reserved for Karnataka-based and women candidates, who will also benefit from subsidised training fees.

The upcoming facility, spanning 3,500 square metres, will include aircraft hangars, simulators, classrooms, briefing rooms, and a radio telephony training centre, all aligned with standards prescribed by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA), and the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS).

Operations, aircraft, and admissions will be managed by a private agency, while KSIIDC will oversee air traffic control, safety systems, and maintenance. Tenders have already been invited, with aircraft deployment expected within three months and training to commence within nine months of agreement signing.

Located in Sogane, 15 km from Shivamogga city, Rashtrakavi Kuvempu Airport was inaugurated in February 2023 and features a 3,200-metre runway, the second-longest in the state. It can accommodate aircraft ranging from ATR 72s to Airbus A320s.

This strategic move is set to transform Shivamogga into a key aviation training hub, offering new opportunities to young pilots across Karnataka and beyond.