Redbird Flight Training Academy has announced the successful completion of its maintenance approval recertification process. This announcement comes after the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) suspended the academy’s operations in October 2023 following two crash-landings involving its aircraft.
The first incident, which occurred on October 19, involved a Tecnam P2008JC single-engine aircraft with registration VT-RBC. The aircraft, piloted by a certified flight instructor, experienced an engine-related issue shortly after takeoff from Runway 11 at Baramati. The pilot made a quick decision to abort the sortie and executed a crash-landing just outside the perimeter fence of the airfield. While the pilot sustained minor injuries, the aircraft suffered significant damage.
The second incident took place on October 22, involving another Tecnam P2008JC aircraft with registration VT-RBT. This aircraft, carrying an instructor and a trainee, experienced a loss of power while climbing to an altitude of 2,500 feet during a routine training flight. The instructor executed a forced landing, resulting in the aircraft overturning and sustaining damage to various components including the landing gear, propeller, wings, and fuselage.
Following these incidents, the DGCA suspended Redbird Flight Training Academy’s operations nationwide, citing concerns regarding maintenance and operational practices. This suspension left the future of enrolled trainee pilots uncertain as they awaited clarification from both the DGCA and the flight school.
Now, after nearly four months of suspension, Redbird Flight Training Academy has announced the resumption of its flying training operations. This news comes as a relief to cadets and aspiring pilots who were affected by the interruption in their training programs.
The academy, with six operating bases across India and Sri Lanka, is strategically located to serve aspiring pilots from various regions. These bases include Baramati in Pune district, Maharashtra; Lilabari in Lakhimpur district, Assam; Gulbarga, situated 12 km east of Kalaburagi in Karnataka; Belgaum (or Belagavi), a city in southwest Karnataka; Seoni in Madhya Pradesh; and Colombo, Sri Lanka, at the Dehiwala-Mount Lavinia.
Redbird Flight Training Academy boasts a fleet of 24 aircraft, comprising 22 single-engine and 2 multi-engine planes, according to information available on the academy’s website.
