About
Chimes Aviation Academy (CAA), commonly known as Chimes Aviation Academy, is a private Flying Training Organisation located at Dhana in the Sagar district of Madhya Pradesh. The academy was established in 2008 with the objective of providing professional flying and aviation training to aspiring pilots. It operates as part of the Chimes Group/Chimes Aviation Pvt. Ltd. and focuses on developing skilled, disciplined and safety-conscious aviation professionals. Since its establishment, the academy has developed specialised training programmes for students aspiring to obtain pilot licences and build careers in commercial and general aviation. CAA provides both ground-based and practical flying training and has expanded its operations to multiple bases in Madhya Pradesh. The academy states that it has trained more than 1,000 pilots and has more than 18 years of operational experience.
Chimes Aviation Academy's Dhana base is situated at Dhana Airstrip, Dhana, Sagar District, Madhya Pradesh – 470228. The academy's principal flying base is located in an aviation-focused environment that provides students with direct access to aircraft, airfield operations and practical flight training. Dhana Airstrip has a 995-metre runway, and the academy operates a dedicated hangar, radio control room and on-campus hostel at the Dhana base. Historical Airports Authority of India information records approximately 110 acres of land for Dhana Airport; this should not be treated as the academy's exclusive campus area. The location provides an appropriate setting for pilot training, with an airfield environment integrated directly into the academy's training operations. CAA also operates from a second base at Neemuch, creating a broader flying-training ecosystem.
Chimes Aviation Academy is approved by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), Government of India, as a Flying Training Organisation. Its current DGCA approval number is FTO 04/2015, with the approval listed as valid until 20 April 2029. The academy is privately owned and operates from Dhana and Neemuch airbases. DGCA's April 2026 Flying Training Organisation assessment placed Chimes Aviation Academy in Category B; the published ranking document lists it among the Category B FTOs. The academy also highlights its association with airline-linked training, including its IndiGo Cadet Pilot Program. CAA's official certification information records its regulatory status, aircraft fleet and training operations.
Chimes Aviation Academy functions as a specialised aviation training institution rather than a conventional multidisciplinary college. Its training ecosystem includes the Dhana Airbase in Sagar district and the Neemuch Airbase in Madhya Pradesh, supported by ground-training and flying-training facilities. The academy has dedicated instructors, flying trainers, operational personnel and technical/maintenance teams involved in pilot education and aircraft operations. The Dhana facility includes a hangar, radio control room, operations and maintenance offices, ground-training facilities and an on-campus hostel. The academy's training environment combines classroom-based aviation theory with practical aircraft training so that students can progressively develop aviation knowledge, flight skills, operational discipline and safety awareness.
Chimes Aviation Academy primarily focuses on pilot training and aviation-related professional programmes. Its major programmes include the Commercial Pilot Licence (CPL IR-ME) programme, CAA-IndiGo Cadet Pilot Program, Chimes Flying Program, Private Pilot Licence (PPL), Cruiser PPL, Multi-Engine Endorsement and Instrument Rating (ME-IR), Foreign Licence Conversion and Renewal, Assistant Flight Instructor/Flying Instructor Rating (AFI & FI) and Aviation English Language Proficiency (AELP) Training and Testing. Eligibility varies according to the programme and applicable DGCA requirements. For commercial pilot training, candidates generally need to satisfy the prescribed DGCA requirements, including the required educational qualifications and Physics and Mathematics at the qualifying level. The academy's individual programme requirements should be checked before admission because age, medical fitness, examination requirements and licence-related conditions can differ by course. Admission may involve academic eligibility, medical requirements, DGCA-related examinations and, for cadet programmes, additional airline selection procedures. Specific scholarship details are not prominently stated on the academy's main course information pages, so students should confirm any current scholarship, financing or fee-support options directly with the academy.
Chimes Aviation Academy provides infrastructure designed specifically for aviation and pilot training. The Dhana Airbase includes a 13,500-square-foot hangar capable of housing aircraft, along with operations and maintenance offices and a dedicated Radio Control Room. The Dhana airstrip has a 995-metre runway and is equipped to support night flying. The academy also provides an on-campus hostel for students and operates dedicated ground-training facilities. Its training fleet includes single-engine and multi-engine aircraft equipped with modern avionics, while the academy also maintains in-house aviation maintenance and operational facilities. The academy's facilities are intended to provide students with an integrated learning environment where classroom instruction, simulator/ground preparation, aircraft operations, flight practice, safety procedures and aviation communication can be connected to practical training.
Chimes Aviation Academy focuses on preparing students for careers in the aviation industry, particularly as commercial pilots and other qualified aviation professionals. The academy states that its alumni are working in aviation sectors in India and internationally and highlights its airline partnerships and cadet-pilot pathways. Its IndiGo Cadet Pilot Program provides a structured route for selected candidates pursuing an airline pilot career. Depending on the programme completed and the licences and ratings obtained, graduates can explore opportunities with airlines, charter operators, corporate aviation companies, flight training organisations and other aviation-related employers. The academy's training programmes also include instructor-rating and licence-conversion options, allowing qualified aviation professionals to pursue additional career pathways. Placement or airline selection should be understood separately from training admission, as employment depends on licence completion, regulatory requirements, medical fitness, airline selection criteria and individual performance.
Chimes Aviation Academy, Sagar, is a specialised aviation training institution offering structured flying and ground-training programmes for aspiring pilots. With its Dhana base in Sagar, additional operations at Neemuch, DGCA-approved FTO status, dedicated aircraft fleet, aviation infrastructure, experienced training personnel and industry-linked programmes, the academy provides an aviation-focused learning environment. Its range of programmes covers commercial pilot training, private pilot training, multi-engine and instrument training, instructor ratings, licence conversion and aviation English. The academy's emphasis on regulatory compliance, practical flying experience, modern aircraft and safety-oriented training makes it an important aviation-training institution in Madhya Pradesh. Students considering admission should review the latest DGCA requirements, programme eligibility, medical criteria, fees, training duration and current admission conditions before making a decision.