Orissa to get second flying training institute in Berhampur

BERHAMPUR: Plans are afoot to develop Orissa's second flying training institute at Rangeilunda airstrip (in Berhampur University campus) near Berhampur city.

The ministry of Civil Aviation wants to use Rangeilunda airstrip as a flying training institute. Binodini Devi, a senior captain from the ministry, visited the airstrip recently and discussed the project with engineers of the works department in Berhampur, Ganjam district collector V K Pandian said. It is noteworthy, Orissa's first flying training institute is in Bhubaneswar.

A senior pilot of the ministry also visited the Rangeilunda airstrip site last week and asked the works engineer to develop it as a Visual Flight Rule (VFR) airstrip and to provide at least two rooms to conduct the pilot training institute. "We have agreed to provide all necessary infrastructure facilities to the ministry to use Rangeilunda airstrip as a flying training institute," K Pandian said.
The airstrip has a 720 meter run-way facility, besides a large area for parking. The works department recently constructed the boundary wall, which is one of the components for the pilot training institute, executive engineer, Berhampur(Division-II) P K Das said.
Rangeiulinda will be the second pilot training institute in the state after Bhubaneswar. At Bhubaneswar, 80 students are currently taking pilot training.

The civil aviation ministry has mooted the second flying institute in the state because of traffic congestion at the Biju Patnaik airport in Bhubaneswar. At least 50 percent of students from the Bhubaneswar centre will be diverted to the new pilot training institute at Rangeilunda. There are now 22 airstrips in the state including Rangeilunda.
Sources: PTI & Bussiness Standard