The institute initially offered training for both commercial pilot license (CPL) for fixed-wing aircraft and commercial helicopter pilot license (CHPL) for rotary-wing aircraft.[3]
IGRUA's infrastructure consists of its own independent airfield and airspace, 6080 feet runway, taxiway, apron, air traffic control, navigation and landing aids, hangars, fire fighting, aviation fuel station, hostels/mess, residential campus, sports facilities, auditorium among others.[2]
IGRUA's Zlín Z242 L single-engine aircraft parked at apron.
IGRUA conducts all-India entrance examinations for selection of cadets, shortlisted candidates then undergo pilot aptitude test / WOMBAT and finally a personal interview. Government's Press Information Bureau describes IGRUA as the "IIT of aviation".[2]
The institution conducts flying training leading to the award of commercial pilot license. IGRUA also offers ancillary courses such as multi-crew cooperation and crew resource management.[7] IGRUA is also one of the approved institutes to carry out Certified Flying Instructors Refresher course by Ministry of Civil Aviation for Chief Flight Instructors, Flight Instructors, and Assistant Flight Instructors.
In 2007, IGRUA signed a management contract with CAE Inc. to manage IGRUA's flight school activities, including maintenance of aircraft, flying operations, air traffic control, runway, NAV aids, fire fighting facilities, medical facilities, security, staff and student facilities, and transportation.[14]
Delhi-based remote pilot training organization, Drone Destination, in association with IGRUA, opened four drone pilot training schools in India situated in Gurugram, Bangalore, Gwalior, and Dharmashala.[15] In 2021, IGRUA signed a memorandum of understanding with Indian Aviation Academy to "impart quality education to budding pilots and prepare them for regulatory examination".[16] In 2022, Boeing made a strategic collaboration with IGRUA "to further emphasize safety and quality to aspiring airline cadets".[17] In the same year, IGRUA signed MoU with the Tamil Nadu Industrial Development Corporation (TIDCO) and De Drone World Solutions, with a target to produce 2500 drone pilots a year.[18]
In Aero India 2023 exhibition, IGRUA signed a MoU with Flight Simulation Technique Centre (FSTC) to give type rating training to their cadets in Airbus A320, Boeing 737, ATR 72, and Q-400 aircraft.[19]
In the 2021-22 academic year, IGRUA achieved its highest-ever flying hours with a fleet of 18 aircraft, totaling 19,110 hours. The per aircraft utilization also reached 1062 hours per annum. This surpassed the previous record set in 2013-14, where 18,776 flying hours were logged with 24 aircraft, resulting in an average of 782 hours per aircraft.[20]