A New Aircraft Maintenance Training Pathway Takes Shape Through Air India and HIET

Dr. Anand Jacob Verghese, Chairman, and Dr. Ashok George Verghese, Pro-Chancellor of Hindustan Group of Institutions, say the DGCA-approved AME Cadet Programme with Air India will train Category B1.1 and B2 licensed engineers

A Memorandum of Understanding between Air India Limited and Hindustan Institute of Engineering and Technology, part of the Hindustan Group of Institutions, has set the foundation for a new Aircraft Maintenance Engineering Cadet Programme aimed at training licensed aircraft engineers. The MoU was announced at Wings India 2026, India’s civil aviation exhibition held at Begumpet Airport in Hyderabad.
The programme is designed to address the growing requirement for licensed aircraft maintenance engineers as airline fleets expand and operations scale up. HIET, a DGCA CAR 147 Basic approved institute, will deliver structured training for Category B1.1 Aeroplane Turbine and Category B2 Avionics engineers selected by Air India.

The collaboration brings together Air India’s operational and maintenance expertise with HIET’s regulatory approved training infrastructure. According to the institutions, the programme will follow industry aligned curricula, standardised selection processes, and practical exposure linked closely to airline maintenance requirements.
The MoU was announced during the Hindustan Group of Institutions’ participation at Wings India 2026, where the Group presented its aviation education portfolio spanning pilot training, aircraft maintenance engineering, and allied disciplines. The Hindustan Group stall at the event was inaugurated by Shri B. C. Janardhan Reddy, Hon’ble Minister for Roads and Buildings, Infrastructure and Investments, Government of Andhra Pradesh.

Speaking at the event, Dr. Anand Jacob Verghese, Chairman, Hindustan Group of Institutions, said that Wings India 2026 offered a platform to demonstrate how education and industry collaboration can support the long term growth of India’s aviation sector. He said the partnership with Air India is focused on building a pipeline of skilled, licensed engineers aligned with global standards and operational needs.
Dr. Ashok George Verghese, Pro-Chancellor, Hindustan Group of Institutions, said the pace of expansion in Indian aviation has increased demand for trained pilots and licensed maintenance engineers. He said the Group’s approach centres on creating training to employment pathways that combine quality education, practical exposure, and industry relevance.

In parallel with the MoU announcement, Orient Flights Aviation Academy, the Group’s pilot training arm, outlined plans to enhance training capacity through fleet expansion. The Academy announced the induction of a new Tecnam training aircraft and shared plans to add next generation aircraft including the Tecnam P2010 and Piper Archer DX.
The Academy also highlighted its simulator based training infrastructure, including ALSIM AL250 simulators for single engine and multi engine operations, supporting DGCA approved, weather independent training. Student led drone projects and advanced avionics exposure were also presented as part of the Group’s broader focus on future ready aviation technologies.

Other institutions under the Hindustan Group, including Hindustan Institute of Technology and Science, KCG College of Technology, and Hindustan College, Mysuru, presented programmes in aeronautical engineering, aerospace engineering, aviation management, defence technology, and allied fields, reinforcing the Group’s position across aviation education and training.

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