Wind Chasers

Wind Chasers is a pilot training academy in Bangalore, India. It teaches ground classes for aspiring pilots at its own campus in Bengaluru. Flight training for the commercial pilot licence takes place at partner flight training organisations in India and abroad.

The company began when a mother, Sumaiya Ali, searched for a path for her daughter who wanted to fly. She found that many parents had the same questions. This grew into an academy that guides students and families through the steps to a pilot licence.

The site shows a six step path. It starts with eligibility, which is a pass in 12th grade with Physics and Maths. Next come the Class 1 medical and the DGCA computer number. Then students take six DGCA theory papers in class: Air Navigation, Aviation Meteorology, Air Regulations, Aircraft Technical General, Aircraft Technical Specific and Radio Telephony. Flight training needs at least 200 hours at DGCA approved partner schools in India, the USA, Canada, New Zealand or Australia. Final checks include RTR(A), English proficiency and the CPL flight test.

The academy covers airplane routes (PPL, CPL and ATPL) and helicopter routes (PHPL and CHPL). The helicopter licence programme lasts one year, with 3 to 6 months of ground classes and 150 flying hours. Applicants must be at least 17 years old.

Support services include help with educational loans, enrolment, visa papers, immigration and accommodation. The site offers demo classes, a short pilot assessment test and a phone line, with office hours from 10:30 in the morning to 7:30 in the evening.