India panel proposes simulator-heavy pilot licence to ease crew shortage, document shows (opens original article in a new tab)

India's pilot shortage has led a government panel to propose a simulator-heavy pilot licence to reduce manpower shortages, with training focused on simulators and some real flight hours, though concerns remain about reduced hands-on experience.

• India faces a pilot shortage, with IndiGo having 7.6 pilots per narrowbody plane, below the global average of 10.
• A government panel proposes a simulator-heavy pilot licence to ease shortages, with training conducted in commercial jet simulators.
• The proposal includes 100-120 hours of simulator training and 150 hours of actual aircraft time, but some groups oppose cutting real flight hours.