Mahendra Singh Dhoni, the legendary cricketer, has officially elevated his commitment to Chennai-based Garuda Aerospace, a company where he already serves as both a brand ambassador and an investor. Dhoni has now successfully earned his certification as a drone pilot, completing his training at Garuda Aerospace’s DGCA-approved Remote Pilot Training Organization (RPTO) in Chennai.
Agnishwar Jayaprakash, the visionary Founder and CEO of Garuda Aerospace, shared an interesting anecdote about Dhoni’s journey. “One day, during a casual chat, I mentioned our extensive work in training drone pilots,” Jayaprakash recounted. “Dhoni’s immediate response was, ‘I wish I could be a drone pilot too!'” This conversation took place roughly eighteen months ago, and despite his incredibly demanding schedule, the former Indian captain finally made his drone piloting dream a reality just last week.
“He demonstrated remarkable aptitude, picking up the skills very quickly and displaying immense focus during his training,” Mr. Jayaprakash further elaborated. “His steadfast belief in our mission to revolutionize the drone industry is a tremendous inspiration and source of encouragement for our entire team.”
Garuda Aerospace, recognized as a DGCA-approved RPTO, boasts an impressive track record, having trained over 2,500 aspiring pilots under the expert guidance of its Master Instructors. The company emphasizes that this comprehensive training is crucial for fostering certified and secure drone operations, incorporating both in-depth theoretical ground classes and rigorous practical flying sessions, utilizing advanced simulators and actual drones.
With the drone industry experiencing rapid expansion, there’s a growing need for highly skilled and certified pilots to guarantee adherence to stringent safety protocols and regulatory standards. Garuda Aerospace currently holds six DGCA approvals, notably being the pioneering Indian drone startup to achieve dual DGCA certifications for both manufacturing and training. Furthermore, the company has obtained DGCA authorization to conduct drone pilot training for both small and medium drone categories, encompassing those under 25 kg and those above 25 kg Maximum Take-Off Weight (MTOW).