Bengaluru, India13.0728° N · 77.6026° E
Trained to command.
“Flying is done at home”
Aviation ground school, licence preparation and airline selection — taught in Bengaluru by Capt. TPS Gill, Top Gun 1989, with more than 18,000 hours in the air.
Scroll to explore
Flight log · 001
Capt. TPS Gill
47 years
Accident-free flying
Type
A320 · TRI / TRE
18,000+
hours
31
years IAF
27
variants
Next batch
Dates on request
47
Years of accident-free flying
31
Years in the Indian Air Force
18,000+
Flying hours
Next batch — Dates on requestDGCA ground school+91 74066 32888Bengaluru · 13.07° NAirline interview preparationSince 2005CPL · ATPL · RTR(A) · A320Next batch — Dates on requestDGCA ground school+91 74066 32888Bengaluru · 13.07° NAirline interview preparationSince 2005CPL · ATPL · RTR(A) · A320
01The academy
Knowledge is the only instrument that never fails.
Ground school
Jakkuru · Bengaluru
Where the flight deck is explained.
CEFAT was built on a simple conviction: a pilot is not made by hours alone, but by understanding.
For two decades, small batches of cadets have learned the DGCA syllabus here — not memorised it. Air regulations, meteorology, instruments and navigation are taught from first principles, then tested against the standard the airline expects.
The classroom is in Jakkuru, Bengaluru. The outlook is the flight deck.
“The licence is only the beginning. A pilot is a student for life.”
2005
Founded in Bengaluru
15–20
Cadets per batch
DGCA
Syllabus, taught properly
1,000+
Pilots mentored
02The captain
The standard is the captain.
Founder · Chief Instructor
Capt. TPS Gill
Top Gun · 1989
Top Gun · Indian Air Force
13.0728° N · 77.6026° E
Capt. TPS Gill has spent a working lifetime in the air — as a fighter pilot, an air force examiner, an airline captain, and now as the instructor cadets remember.
He was adjudged the Best Flying Professional of the Indian Air Force in 1989, and served 31 years in the IAF. His career spans 27 aircraft variants, an exchange with the Royal Air Force, and a master’s at the RAF College in the United Kingdom.
Today he is a current Airbus A320 instructor and examiner, a DGCA-approved CRM instructor, and an EU-certified accident investigator. Every CEFAT cohort is taught by him — not by a rotating faculty reading from a slide.
“I teach the way I was taught to fly: understand the aircraft, respect the weather, and never stop asking why.”
47
Years of accident-free flying
31
Years in the Indian Air Force
18,000+
Flying hours
27
Aircraft variants
A career in five lines
- 1985–86
Royal Air Force exchange
Served alongside the Royal Air Force; later mastered at the RAF College in the United Kingdom.
- 1989
Top Gun, Indian Air Force
Adjudged the Best Flying Professional of the Indian Air Force.
- 1990s
Air Force examiner
A-2 instructional rating; examiner at the Aircrew Examining Board and instructor at the Flying Instructors’ School.
- 2005
CEFAT founded
A ground school built around one idea: knowledge, taught properly, is the pilot’s best instrument.
- Today
A320 instructor & DGCA CRM trainer
Current Airbus A320 instructor and examiner, DGCA-approved CRM instructor, and EU-certified accident investigator.
03The flight deck
Film · Introduction
Some things are better said from the flight deck.
A short introduction to the academy, the captain, and the standard we hold cadets to — filmed at CEFAT, Bengaluru.
04Programmes
From first licence to left seat.
Small cohorts, a DGCA syllabus taught from first principles, and a captain who has examined the standard from every side of the table.
Not sure which programme fits? A 15-minute conversation usually settles it.
Talk to the academy05By the numbers
Est. 2005 · Bengaluru
47
Years of accident-free flying
Capt. TPS Gill
31
Years in the Indian Air Force
Fighter pilot, 27 variants
18,000+
Flying hours
Commercial & simulator
1,000+
Pilots mentored
Since 2005
Figures that are lived, not marketed. Every number above belongs to the captain who still teaches the first class.
06What we teach
A syllabus built around the flight deck.
From the first DGCA paper to the airline interview panel — one continuous line of instruction, not a collection of disconnected courses.
01
Airline interview preparation
Written tests, aptitude, group discussions, psychometric assessments, mock interviews and technical panels — prepared as one continuous process.
Airline selection
02
Licence & rating courses
CPL, ATPL, RTR(A), A320 technical training and cadet selection programmes, taught in small batches with material written for the DGCA syllabus.
Licences
03
DGCA ground school
Air regulations, meteorology, instruments, radio navigation and navigation — explained from first principles, with practice papers that mirror the exam.
Ground school
04
Safety & emergency procedures
DGCA-approved safety and emergency procedures training for pilots, cabin crew and ground staff, delivered by current airline instructors.
Safety
05
Simulator & type preparation
A320 simulator sessions, LOFT-style scenarios and type-rating preparation, with debriefs focused on decision-making under load.
Simulator
06
Flying school affiliations
Guidance and placement support with partner flying schools in the United States, New Zealand, South Africa and Australia.
Abroad
Airline selection01 / 06
Taught at CEFAT
Airline interview preparation
Hover a line to preview · All instruction in small batches
07Beyond Bengaluru
Training that crosses borders.
Ground school happens in Jakkuru. The flying does not have to. CEFAT works with partner schools across four continents, and guides cadets through the paperwork, medicals and check rides that follow.
01
United States
Flight trainingUS
02
New Zealand
Flight trainingNZ
03
South Africa
Flight trainingZA
04
Australia
Flight trainingAU
05
United Kingdom
RAF CollegeGB
Global affiliationsDrag to rotate
Origin
13.0728° N · 77.6026° E
CEFAT · BLR
Illustrative routes · Bengaluru to partner flying schools
08Life at the academy
CEFAT Study Environment.
The classroom, the conversations and the moments in between.
A closer look at the place you could learn.
“I could not have asked for better environment for the coaching.”
Auto-advance · Every 3 seconds
Photograph 1 of 6: Together at CEFAT
09Student testimonials
A shared journey. Individual voices.
“I walked into CEFAT without a clear goal, but I walked out with confidence, direction, and results.”
Student stories
Hear it in their own words.
These are just a few of their stories. Watch more on CEFAT's Instagram and YouTube.
“My CPL coaching experience with Sir was exceptional. His focused guidance and well-curated material allowed me to efficiently utilize my limited preparation time while working. The high-quality, filtered resources covered the extensive syllabus effectively. In under 20 sessions, I gained confidence to pass the CPL exams. Beyond exam success, his mentorship provides invaluable long-term benefits. I achieved scores of 82 in NAV, 76 in MET, and 82 in Air Reg. Thank you, Sir!”
DD
Capt. Dhruv Dhawan
CEFAT alumnus
01 / 15
The roll
Counselling appointments
A conversation, at a time that works for you.
Choose a weekday slot to visit the academy, or request a phone call if visiting is difficult. Appointments are confirmed after academy approval.
“Even after the batch ended, the support hasn’t stopped”
10Start here
Begin with a conversation.
Tell us where you are in your training — school, licence, hours, or none of the above. We will point you to the right next step.
General enquiries
Have a question? Send an enquiry.
Ask about courses, fees or eligibility — no appointment needed.
WhatsApp and email open a prepared message. You will still need to send it.
11Frequently asked questions
Know your next step.
From your first computer number to choosing a training route. The questions that matter before you begin.
12 questions shown
What are the age limits for learning to fly?
Student Pilot Licence (SPL): 16 years.
Private Pilot Licence (PPL): 17 years.
Commercial Pilot Licence (CPL): 18 years.
What are the requirements to become a pilot in India?
You must be at least 18 years old for a CPL to be issued.
You need 10+2 (Class 12) with Physics and Mathematics; generally, a minimum of 50% in each subject is required.
You will need DGCA Class 2 and Class 1 medical fitness, plus the ability to communicate effectively in English.
Can I receive counselling before choosing a training route?
Yes. CEFAT counselling is led by an industry expert with 47 years of flying experience.
How much does pilot training cost?
Commercial Pilot Licence (CPL): Rs. 52 lakh to Rs. 85 lakh.
Private Pilot Licence (PPL): Rs. 14 lakh.
Commercial Helicopter Pilot Licence: Rs. 71 lakh.
Private Helicopter Pilot Licence (PHPL): Rs. 30 lakh.
What salary can a pilot expect?
Trainee pilot or fresh CPL: Rs. 80,000 to Rs. 1.5 lakh per month; junior first officer: Rs. 1.5 lakh to Rs. 3.5 lakh.
Released first officer: Rs. 2 lakh to Rs. 4 lakh per month; senior first officer: Rs. 3 lakh to Rs. 5 lakh.
Captain: Rs. 6 lakh to Rs. 10 lakh per month; senior captain or wide-body: Rs. 8 lakh to Rs. 15 lakh or more. Training captains and examiners can earn more.
How much does an aircraft type rating cost?
A320: Rs. 16 lakh to Rs. 35 lakh in India, or Rs. 12 lakh to Rs. 32 lakh abroad.
ATR: Rs. 12 lakh to Rs. 18 lakh in India, or Rs. 14 lakh to Rs. 22 lakh internationally.
Boeing 737: Rs. 18 lakh to Rs. 35 lakh in India, or Rs. 15 lakh to Rs. 25 lakh abroad.
How long does it take to complete a CPL in India or abroad?
India: approximately 18 to 24 months. This includes 3 to 6 months of DGCA theory preparation, 3 to 6 months of ground school, 12 to 18 months of flying training and 2 to 4 months for examinations, skill tests and documentation.
Abroad: approximately 12 to 18 months. This includes 3 to 6 months of DGCA theory preparation, 2 to 4 months of ground school, 10 to 12 months of flying training, 1 to 3 months for examinations and 3 to 6 months for licence conversion where applicable.
How long do cadet and conventional training routes take?
Cadet programme: an estimated 20 to 24 months. Selection or admission usually takes 2 to 4 months, ground school and DGCA preparation 3 to 4 months, CPL flying training 12 to 15 months and aircraft type rating 2 months.
Conventional route: an estimated 18 to 30 months. Selection or admission usually takes 1 to 2 months, ground school and DGCA preparation 3 to 6 months, CPL flying training 12 to 18 months, DGCA licence or conversion 2 to 3 months and aircraft type rating 2 months.
Is simulator training required?
Yes. Simulator training is required for the cadet programme.
Can CEFAT help with the conventional training route?
Yes, certainly. CEFAT can support students pursuing the conventional route.
Does CEFAT have affiliations with flying schools?
Yes. CEFAT has affiliations with flying schools.
Does CEFAT offer selection training?
Yes. CEFAT offers one month of selection training.