India’s ideaForge certified for UAV pilot training

Indian drone company ideaForge Technology has been granted  the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) certification to conduct its Remote Pilot Certificate (RPC) Training (Small Class) programme. This milestone marks a significant step in its mission to empower India’s drone ecosystem by delivering DGCA-compliant drone pilot training through its certified RPC programme. The ideaForge Remote Pilot Certificate Training (Small Class) is a five-day programme designed to meet DGCA’s regulatory standards, addressing the evolving needs of drone operators across the country. Amol Suryawanshi, Senior Director-Operations, ideaForge, said, “We are honoured to have received the certification from DGCA to conduct our RPC program. The certification marks a step forward in our mission to build best in class drone pilots who are able to efficiently utilize drone technology to achieve the desired outcomes based on drone use cases. These initiatives also support India’s goal of being a global drone hub by 2030. This initiative is designed to set the benchmark for UAV training standards. As newer technologies get introduced in drone ecosystems like BVLOS, Autonomous drone piloting, etc, ideaForge will be able to quickly build programs and training to build a pilot ecosystem.” This certification reinforces ideaForge’s mission to enable safe and responsible drone operations across India. It also plays a vital role in skill development, strengthening India’s indigenous drone piloting and operational expertise. As the country moves forward in its efforts to be self-reliant in emerging technologies, cultivating a skilled workforce is key. By training and certifying drone pilots locally, ideaForge is not only reducing dependency on foreign operators but is also creating job opportunities across multiple sectors, including defence, agriculture, mining, urban planning, and disaster management. With 200-250 pilots expected to be trained annually, the certification contributes to India’s broader efforts to build a robust, indigenous talent pool, aligning with the Atmanirbhar Bharat vision The structured training consists of two days of classroom-based ground instruction, followed by 3 days of hands-on sessions that include simulator training, basic assembly and maintenance, and supervised practical flying—both dual and solo and this is aligned with DGCA’s guidelines and is delivered by certified instructors with in-depth operational experience. The ground training covers foundational and advanced modules such as basic principles of flight, weather and meteorology, ATC procedures & Radio Telephony (non FRTOL), aerodynamics for different drone classes (fixed-wing, rotorcraft, and hybrid), risk assessment and safety protocols, drone equipment maintenance, and an introduction to drone data and analytics. Flying sessions include detailed simulator exercises, guided assembly and maintenance tasks, instrument flying, and practical flying under instructor supervision leading to solo operations. The programme is open to all Indian citizens aged between 18 and 65 years, regardless of professional background. Applicants must have completed at least Class 10 and hold any one form of valid government-issued ID—such as a Passport, Driving Licence, Voter ID, or Ration Card—and should be medically fit. For Editorial Inquiries Contact: Editor Matt Driskill at [email protected] For Advertising Inquiries Contact: Head of Sales Kay Rolland at [email protected]