In a bid to make flying training more affordable in India, the Central government has decided that the Indian Oil Corporation (IOCL) will produce AvGas under the Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan.
Aviation Gas (AvGas) is currently imported for trainer aircraft and increases operating costs for flying training organisations (FTO) and loss of foreign exchange. This, in turn, leads to higher charges for wannabe pilots.
IOC has taken an in-principle decision to produce AvGas indigenously under the Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan. They are likely to produce the same at Paradip Refinery, tentatively by March 2022.
A detailed technical analysis is currently underway. Domestic production of AvGas will help reduce the cost of flying training, improve financial sustainability of Indian FTOs and help make India a global flying training hub.