• Creating Future-Ready Pilots for a Growing Industry
  • Leadership, Innovation, and AI is the Vision of Sky One

 New Delhi. 24 January 2025. In the ever-evolving world of aviation, pilot training is at the forefront of technological advancements and global connectivity. India, with its rapidly expanding aviation industry and growing demand for skilled pilots, is poised to play a pivotal role on the world stage. At the heart of this transformation is Jaideep Mirchandani, Group Chairman of Sky One, whose vision and leadership are driving innovation in pilot training and aviation education.

In this exclusive interview with Aviation & Defence Universe (ADU)  he shares his insights on the essential qualities of a successful pilot, the integration of leadership skills alongside technical training, and the role of emerging technologies like AI and VR in shaping the next generation of aviators. He also discusses the academy’s focus on fostering inclusivity, supporting women pilots, and creating global opportunities for its graduates. Join us as we delve into his vision for the future of pilot training in India and beyond.

ADU. What key skills and qualities are essential for a successful pilot, and how are these skills developed through training programs?

Jaideep Mirchandani. In my experience, a mix of both skills and character is expected of a pilot, those who master this balance have the requirements to be a successful pilot. For example, understanding the aircraft systems for the proper use of navigation and operational safety are vital skills, but other important skills like an ordinary leader who is versatile and composed in stressful situations are also crucial. While the technical aspects have training modules that get a lot of attention, the decision making and communication soft skills are equally important, which are the principles we aim to instill as well at Pier Seven Academy. The training we provide aims at producing such well rounded professionals who possess a gamut of knowledge and skills.

ADU. How does the curriculum at your academy integrate soft skills, such as leadership and decision-making, alongside technical training?

Jaideep Mirchandani. A pilot’s profession at Pier Seven Academy is understood to be more than about just operating machines and learning the procedures and rules. The teaching program and its curriculum includes team building and leadership skills, our goal is to ensure that every stage of the training includes practical cases: crisis management and improvisation techniques where we teach our students how to withstand stress and impossible situations, how to fly, but how to lead a team and know when action must be initiated. This comprehensive orientation curriculum makes our graduates stand out in an industry that is becoming more and more focused on innovativeness.

ADU. What role do technologies like flight simulators and AI-based tools play in enhancing the skills of future pilots?

Jaideep Mirchandani. Flight simulators and AI-based tools become more relevant in training for new generations of pilots. We employ simulators of high sophistication to create opportunities for students to carry out risk free practice of complex maneuvers and emergency situations. Pier Seven Aviation uses VR headsets specifically for procedures, it allows students to practice complex tasks such as checklists, takeoffs, and emergency protocols before stepping into a real simulator. This not only builds their confidence but also helps them become familiar with cockpit environments, improving their readiness and performance in actual simulator sessions and real-world flying. These tools enable pilots to go through experience that is intended to make them ready for a real life scenario. AI helps in such a way that it facilitates a means of assessing a pilot’s effectiveness, giving feedback at once and also providing the areas or strategies in which a military pilot can improve the data. In the future these technologies will grow and so will assist in training pilots that are not only good at flying but will be able to harness the future technological improvements in aviation.

ADU. How does your academy differentiate itself in terms of training quality and facilities compared to others in India and globally?

Jaideep Mirchandani. One distinguishing characteristic of Pier Seven Academy is our focus on the quality of training, responsiveness and understanding of the specifics of the aviation market. Although a large number of training centers pay attention only to the technical part of the aircraft, we do more by enhancing it with leadership training, real life situation simulation and our experienced training staff motivates the students. Also, the strong relationships we have with airlines and aviation stakeholders help students have direct opportunities for jobs, thereby giving them an advantage. We constantly upgrade our technologies and facilities so as to maintain the required quality of our training programs commensurate to international standards, positioning our academy as a key player in global pilot training.

ADU. How does international collaboration factor into your training programs, and what benefits does it provide to aspiring pilots?

Jaideep Mirchandani. The formulation of our training programs is firmly based on international cooperation in the industry. However, to be able to structure the training most effectively, we have forged strong ties with various leading airlines, regulatory bodies, and training colleges around the world. This network not only allows our students to be familiarized with international practices but also ensures internship and job opportunities to them across the world. The world of aviation is one, and it is important to bridge the gap between local aircraft training programs and global expectations. Our partnerships help in overcoming the scope restrictions of a domestic pilot, because our pilots are meant to fly all over the world, and not just in India.

ADU. What initiatives are being implemented to increase the representation of women in the Indian aviation sector, and what impact have they had so far?

Jaideep Mirchandani. The high number of women pilots is a testament to the changing landscape of the aviation industry and the change has been commendable, but still, progress needs to be made. Pier Seven Academy seeks to do so by actively supporting women pilots through mentorship programs and we create a conducive environment for learning. We envision a day when the aviation industry will no longer be directed by gender but skill. First Indian woman pilot to fly solo over the Atlantic, Aarohi Pandit, successfully completed her rigorous training on the Airbus A320 through Pier Seven Aviation and it was inspiring for us to guide her to achieve greater heights.

ADU. What challenges do aspiring female pilots face in India, and how are training facilities addressing these challenges to foster a more inclusive environment?

Jaideep Mirchandani. India’s women aviators have fewer challenges than their counterparts across the world. There are many organisations providing guidance, scholarships and the government policies support the hiring of women. DGCA recently revealed that women now constitute a remarkable 14 per cent of airline pilots in India, surpassing the global average by more than twice the margin. Training facilities like ours are ensuring that we continue the same but ensuring that there are no psychological barriers when it comes to training. We provide the highest form of training and guidance strengthening their efforts.

ADU. How do you envision the landscape of pilot training in India evolving over the next few years, especially given the rising demand for skilled pilots?

Jaideep Mirchandani. The demand for skilled pilots in India is growing rapidly due to the expanding aviation industry, according to CAE Inc. (Canadian manufacturer of simulation and modeling technologies) the next decade will require 284,000 new pilots, which cannot be accomplished without strategic planning. As the country’s aviation sector continues to thrive, the need for qualified pilots as well as aeronautical engineers only intensifies. My vision for the future is one where India becomes a global hub for pilot training and education. To achieve this, we need to invest in advanced training technologies, enhance the quality of training, and provide our students with real-world exposure through international partnerships. The future is bright for aspiring pilots, and the industry is ripe for growth.

ADU. With the increasing presence of automation and AI in aviation, how is pilot training adapting to equip trainees with future-ready skills?

Jaideep Mirchandani. The advent of automation in aviation and the role of AI is changing the landscape, therefore there is a need to redefine pilot training actively. Modern training programs are integrating advanced technologies such as AI-based flight simulators, Virtual Reality (VR), and automated systems training, helping pilots understand how to interact with and manage these systems effectively. However, one of the challenges we face is the regulatory framework, which currently limits the extent to which automation can be integrated into type ratings.  The technology employed is already present; we are deploying AI-powered technologies to analyze pilot activity and perform analysis to fine-tune the training processes. At the same time, practices are underway to prepare the aviators to operate in automation-powered environments, emphasizing decision-making and situational understanding. With the advancement of automation, we envision an increasing reliance on human pilots to supervise automated systems, as well as provide solutions in ambiguous situations. That is why our training programs are formulated in such a way as to be relevant to the needs of the contemporary future pilots.

ADU. What are your thoughts on India’s potential as a global hub for pilot training, and what steps can be taken to realize this goal? How is your academy leveraging partnerships with airlines and other stakeholders to enhance training outcomes and job placements for graduates?

Jaideep Mirchandani. With India’s aviation industry expanding, a large and growing middle class, the country has every potential to become a global leadership hub for the training of pilots. The government’s efforts, like the UDAN scheme, are helping create an environment where aviation can thrive. And we are ready to be part of this shift. Along with this to realize India’s potential we need to keep building world-class infrastructure, enhance international partnerships, and provide the globally required skill sets for pilots in this era. At Pier Seven Academy, we’re working toward that vision through building relationships in the industry and providing best training in the industry.

ADU. What investments or improvements do you believe are necessary to improve the quality and accessibility of pilot training facilities in India?

Jaideep Mirchandani. There is a need to look for more modern means such as building new simulators, potentially more training aircrafts and even advanced technologies like VR and AI so as to enhance the quality and improve the outreach of pilot training in India. On such improvements in instructional technology, the quality of instructor has to be embraced as well, such that the trainers teach what is current and use modern methods of instruction. I think that if we concentrate on these aspects, it will be possible to raise the standards of the training and expand the provision of pilot training for many more neophyte aspiring pilots.

As told to Sangeeta Saxena