Now a year later, the couple has moved a step closer towards realising their dream, after developing the country’s first mobile flight training simulator, which will be used to train the students.

“While some consciously strive to fly and serve the nation, aviation for many others is fantasy. Even though everyone may not seek entry into an aviation school, they would want to learn about the intricacies of a cockpit. The simulator will offer them basic cockpit familiarisation and flight orientation, thus ensuring the same thrill experienced during a real aircraft operation,” said Kavita.

The flight simulator was developed in Bangalore by a team of experts from RealiSim Ltd and Tata Motors had donated a truck chassis for mobile platform fabricated by ARCO engineers of Pune.

“It is essentially an indigenous simulator with its own supply of water, fuel and electricity. Measuring 8 ft by 8 ft in width and height, it is 20 ft long and consumes 10 KVA electricity,” said Capt Gadgil. The simulator comprises a two-pilot cockpit with a curved screen to facilitate visuals and a full flat panel CRT displays as found in a modern jet liner.

“While on one hand, newer aircraft are being acquired for the service, new pilots are trained using the old planes. This simulator is generic, which means that it has not been modelled on any one particular aircraft and the cockpit has been modelled on the cockpits that the modern aircraft possess,” said Capt Gadgil. “Knobs and dials are passé!” he said.

The Gadgils reiterated the simulator is also open for those pilots who are already undergoing formal training. “Though training on an actual aircraft gives a real feel of flying, some exercises like control locking, mode of action during emergencies like fire or an engine burst and structural failure cannot be duplicated. The simulator will be able to give a first hand experience of these situations as well, and what’s more the student will be able to practise till they’re perfect,” he said. “It will act as a bridge between ground training and the actual flight environment,” said Kavita.

Touted to be just the first phase of the institute, the simulator will be formally inaugurated by the Union Civil Aviation Minister Praful Patel on November 2. “We needed something unique and eye-catching to elucidate that our motive is to give wings to the desires of those who dream to fly. The mobile simulator is just the beginning and we also plan to acquire a fixed base simulator as soon as funds permit,” she added.

While 40 per cent of the Rs 3.5-crore has been contributed by the family, they’re looking forward to private sources for funding, the Gadgils said.