Gliding Centre Pune: Over 6,000 residents launch signature campaign against Civil Aviation ministry move

Pilots, trainees oppose move

In addition to local residents, pilots and trainees at the centre have also opposed the ministry’s decision, calling it an outright privatisation move. They have planned multiple grassroots campaigns, including preparing 2,000 postcards with the help of schoolchildren in Pune, urging the government to reconsider the decision.

“It’s been two weeks since the campaign started to save the centre from redevelopment under the PPP model,” said Yogesh Sasane, ex-corporator of Hadapsar. “If the centre comes under AAI, it will no longer be accessible to the common people. We have decided to send postcards to the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO). Additionally, from January 1, we will launch an online signature campaign and initiate a missed call service where residents can dial a toll-free (1800) number to get information about the project. Over 6,000 people have already signed the campaign,” he added. “Ultimately, the centre is going to be privatised,” Sasane said.

Concerns over rising costs

Mane Digambar, a Hadapsar resident and campaigner, clarified that the community is not opposed to redeveloping the centre but questions the necessity of transferring it to a public sector undertaking (PSU) like AAI. “The DGCA has always maintained affordable fares, making glider rides accessible to the public. After privatisation, the current fare of Rs 187 will likely increase to around Rs 5,000, similar to private flying schools,” he said.

Questioning competency

Trainees and pilots have expressed concerns about the AAI’s ability to manage the gliding centre effectively. “This is the only gliding centre in India that is truly accessible to the common man,” said Prashant Gosavi, a senior pilot at the centre since 1999. Gosavi, son of a sculptor and sculptor himself, now pilot, trains trainees and takes residents on joyrides. “This accessibility is possible only because the centre is operated under DGCA. Who would have thought that someone like me could become a pilot at such a minimal cost? This centre was inaugurated by Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru in the 1950s and remains a testament to inclusive aviation training. If anyone can revive the centre, it’s DGCA,” he said.

Centre’s training legacy

Gosavi highlighted the importance of training with gliders for aspiring pilots. “Glider training prepares pilots for any undesirable situation they might encounter, such as engine failure in powered aircraft. Many current commercial and Air Force pilots began their careers with non-motorised gliders at this centre. It’s here they learned to take off and land successfully without relying on advanced machinery,” he explained.

Next step

Supporters have vowed to escalate their protest if the government does not act on their petition. “If the government doesn’t reconsider its decision to transfer the centre, we will intensify our opposition through multiple channels,” said one of the campaigners.

With the December 31 deadline looming, the community’s collective voice grows louder, as it fights to protect a historic institution that has made aviation accessible and affordable for generations.