The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) on January 21, 2026, issued Draft Authorization of Instructors and Line Training Captains for Scheduled Commercial Operators with Fixed Wing Aircraft and for Approved Training Organisations.
The CAR is applicable to Scheduled commercial operators with fixed wing aircraft, ATOs approved under CAP 7100 for their TRI, SFI and LTC authorization. Additionally, it is also applicable to individual SFIs.
The following have been stated:
• Classification of Instructors
o Type Rating Instructor – Simulator (TRI-S). For conduct of simulator and aeroplane training and checking (other than base training).
o Type rating Instructor - Aeroplane (TRI-A). For conduct of simulator and aeroplane training and checking.
o Synthetic Flight Instructors (SFI). For conduct of simulator training by pilots who hold or have held a valid ATPL
• Type Rating Instructor – Initial Application
Operators must select instructors based on integrity, fairness, discipline, and suitability, not on seniority or pay. The number of instructors should match training needs. Candidates must undergo a defined selection process and, after training, records are submitted to DGCA for authorization and licence endorsement.
• Eligibility for TRI Authorization
Candidates must have served at least six months and 100 hours as an LTC on type, or be a FATA holder with recent TRI experience abroad. They must meet recency requirements, have no recent simulator proficiency failures, no alcohol-positive tests in three years, and no blameworthy accidents/incidents in the past three or one years respectively.
• Qualifying Experience for TRI
Minimum experience requirements are 3,500 total flying hours, 1,500 hours command time, and 1,000 hours command time on type, all to be met on the date of application.
• Training and Checking for TRI
Candidates must complete prescribed ground training and simulator/aircraft checks. Failures bar recommendation for three months. Final proficiency is checked by a DGCA Flight Operations Inspector (FOI); failure again results in a three-month waiting period.
• Change of Aircraft Type
TRIs changing aircraft type must undergo training as specified in Appendix A.
• Change of Operator on Same Type
A TRI transferring to another operator on the same type must complete prescribed training and have the new operator’s name updated on the licence via eGCA, subject to continued eligibility and currency.
• Privileges of TRI-S
TRI-S may conduct type rating training, instrument rating training, recurrent training, line training, LVO training, and training/assessment of other instructors and LTCs, subject to experience requirements when changing type or operator.
• Privileges of TRI-A
TRI-A has all TRI-S privileges plus aeroplane base training. Special operations training is permitted only after observation and supervised conduct.
• Recency and Currency Requirements
TRIs must have 10 hours PIC on type in the preceding 90 days to exercise aeroplane privileges and must have instructed within the previous six months. Lapsed currency requires progressively more extensive refresher training and simulator sessions depending on the duration of inactivity.
• Special Notes on Currency
Each FFS session is at least two hours. TRIs temporarily medically unfit may function as SFIs with notification and compliance. Recency requirements also apply before initial FOI release checks.
• Validity and Renewal of TRI Authorization
TRI authorization is valid for seven years from the last standardization check, subject to ongoing compliance. Authorization must be endorsed on the licence, specifying type and limitations, and updated upon operator change.
• Standardization Checks
TRIs must undergo an Instructor Standardization Check every two years in a simulator by an FOI or designated examiner, with records forwarded to DGCA.
• Renewal (Process)
Operators must submit renewal documents three months in advance, including licence, medical, training, and standardization records. DGCA reviews these and conducts a proficiency assessment before extending authorization for another seven years.
The comments may send to Capt. Shweta Singh, CFOI, Office of the Director General of Civil Aviation, Opp. Safdarjung Airport, Aurobindo Marg, New Delhi - 110 003 , [email protected] , latest by February 20, 2026.
