Pawan Hans Ltd plans to make city hub for helicopter-based activities

A detailed project report by Pawan Hans Helicopters Ltd (PHHL) was accessed by Newsline to find out what will happen to the land that gave many in the city wings to fly for fun. Here is a look at what PHHL has in pipeline for GCP,founded by Jawaharlal Nehru. “Gliding activities can be maintained,improved with new inputs of equipment,technology and management. With the growing IT,auto and education sectors,there are a large number of people wanting to take joy rides. Provision for proper gliders,classrooms,instructors and equipment could boost gliding activities in Pune,” the report begins. This is arguably the last mention of ‘gliding’ in the report,which goes on to talk about the business development plan for helicopter activities at Hadapsar.

“With a growing number of helicopters in India,there is a need for proper helicopter training institute for pilots and maintenance technicians. The Hadapsar Gliding Centre is ideally located and has the potential to create such facility,” the report says. It goes on to add its business plans one after the other. “PHHL can shift its existing training institute in Mumbai for AME and technicians. PHHL can also develop the institute for purposes of pilot training under the guidance of DGCA. The training institute could be paired with Maintenance,Repair,Overhaul (MRO) to provide maintenance service centre to fleet of helicopters based in Pune,” the report says. As per the report,there are nine private helicopters and eight business jets parked at the Pune Airport. “They could be shifted in case the heliport is developed at GCP.”

According to the business model,the cost of setting up PHTI is Rs 14.6 crore,of which the DGCA is funding Rs 5 crore in the first year. As per financial projections,the average annual revenue is Rs 2.29 crore from training institute for pilots,Rs 2.34 crore from training school AME and Rs 2.52 crore from heliport. This,against an average annual expenditure of Rs 5.21 crore,is expected to generate a profit of Rs 1.94 crore when fully operational. Profits are envisaged only from the second year,the report says. Also,there are plans to start sorties between Mumbai and Pune. Nothing,however,has been mentioned about exploring sorties to locations such as Panchgani,Mahabaleshwar or Shirdi,though there are informal talks about the possibility.

DGCA officials refused to comment. An official of PHHL said,“The decision to start flying to various destinations from Pune depends upon several factors. This is yet to be finalised.”

The Airforce had objected to PHHL proposal saying that IAF clearance was not obtained before planning helicopter operations from the airfield in the operational area of Lohegaon-based 2 Wing.

The PHHL official said,“The process of obtaining IAF clearance is underway. It should not be a hassle.”