CleanupBot II at 07:30, 14 August 2023

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{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2020}}
{{Use Indian English|date=August 2013}}
{{Infobox airport
| name = Jakkur Aerodrome
| image = Aircraft at Jakkur aerodrome, July 2019.jpg
| caption = View from flyover
| IATA =
| ICAO = VOJK
| type = Public
| owner = [[Government of Karnataka]]
| city-served =
| location = [[Jakkur]], [[Bangalore]], [[Karnataka]], India
| metric-elev =
| elevation-m = 917
| elevation-f = 3,010
| coordinates = {{coord|13|04|37|N|77|35|51|E|region:IN|display=inline,title}}
| website =
| pushpin_map = India Karnataka#India
| pushpin_label = '''VOJK'''
| r1-number = 08/26
| r1-length-m = 900
| r1-length-f = 2,953
| r1-surface = [[Asphalt]]
| footnotes = Source: Great Circle Mapper<ref name="gcm">{{cite web | url=http://www.gcmap.com/airport/VOJK | title=VOJK - Airport | work=Great Circle Mapper | accessdate=29 June 2016}}</ref>
}}

'''Jakkur Aerodrome''' {{Airport codes||VOJK}} is an [[airport]] located in [[Jakkur]], a suburb of [[Bangalore]], [[Karnataka]], [[India]]. It is the only dedicated [[general aviation]] field in Bangalore. The airfield is the site of the Government Flying Training School (GFTS), the only flying school in the state.<ref name="somehope">Patil, Ramu (7 August 2014). [http://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/bengaluru/Some-Hope-Still-for-Jakkur-Flying-School/2014/08/07/article2368135.ece "Some Hope Still for Jakkur Flying School"]. ''The New Indian Express''. Retrieved 8 March 2016.</ref>

The aerodrome is spread over {{convert|214|acre}}. The premises include facilities for flight training, area leased to private parties for hangars and maintenance activities and other common facilities (airstrip, fuel station etc.).<ref name = "GTFS">{{cite web |title=GTFS website |url=http://kar-gfts.org/About-Us.html |accessdate=3 January 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120317184255/http://kar-gfts.org/About-Us.html |archive-date=17 March 2012 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

==History==
The [[Maharaja of Mysore]] acquired over {{convert|200|acre}} of land to build Jakkur Aerodrome, which opened in 1948.<ref name="takesoffagain">{{cite web | url=http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/Government+flying+school+takes+off+again/1/26209.html | title=Government flying school takes off again | work=[[India Today]]| date=24 January 2009 | accessdate=29 June 2016 | author=David, Stephen}}</ref> The airfield was then transferred to the [[Government of Karnataka]] on the condition that the latter would only build a flying school at Jakkur.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.deccanherald.com/content/430770/jakkur-airport-cold-shouldered-nhai.html | title=Jakkur airport, cold-shouldered by a NHAI project | work=[[Deccan Herald]]| date=14 September 2014 | accessdate=29 June 2016 | author=Subhashchandra, N. S.}}</ref> The Government Flying Training School (GFTS) was established on 26 March 1949.<ref name="newcessna">{{cite web | url=http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2016-04-14/news/72322800_1_cessna-aircraft-first-aircraft-jakkur | title=New plane gives flying school enough tailwind | work=[[The Economic Times]] | date=14 April 2016 | accessdate=29 June 2016 | author=Bhattacharya, Arka}}</ref> It operated smoothly until 1997, when it faced a shortage of aircraft, fuel, maintenance engineers and flying instructors.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/shortage-of-aircraft-fuel-and-staff-lead-to-closure-of-flying-academies/1/277293.html | title=Caught in tailspin | work=[[India Today]]| date=31 March 1997 | accessdate=29 June 2016 | author=David, Stephen}}</ref> The school has operated sporadically since then.<ref name="takesoffagain" />

In January 2014, a [[Overpass|flyover]] was completed over [[National Highway 44 (India)|NH 44]] to improve connectivity between the city centre and the [[Kempegowda International Airport|international airport]]. The flyover, over {{convert|12|m}} high and constructed immediately west of the runway at Jakkur, presents an obstruction to aircraft landing at the aerodrome.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bengaluru/Dreams-grounded-as-Jakkur-flying-club-shuts-down/articleshow/36456119.cms | title=Dreams grounded as Jakkur flying club shuts down | work=[[The Times of India]] | date=13 June 2014 | accessdate=29 June 2016}}</ref> Although the western half of the runway had already been closed off to accommodate, the government closed Jakkur Aerodrome on 8 June. The GFTS was forced to relocate, with 18 students still undergoing training.<ref name="somehope" /> The school continued students' training at the airports in [[Hubli Airport|Hubli]] and [[Mysore Airport|Mysore]].<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.dnaindia.com/bangalore/report-bangalore-hal-of-a-nightmare-for-jakkur-flying-school-1967107 | title=Bangalore: HAL of a nightmare for Jakkur flying school | work=[[Daily News and Analysis]] | date=5 March 2014 | accessdate=29 June 2016 | author=C. S., Hemanth}}</ref> However, by October 2014 the school had resumed operations.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.bangaloremirror.com/bangalore/others/Flying-training-school-at-Jakkur-reopens/articleshow/43917392.cms | title=Flying training school at Jakkur reopens | work=[[Bangalore Mirror]] | date=1 October 2014 | accessdate=29 June 2016 | author=S., Kushala}}</ref> The western portion of the runway remains closed, but a {{convert|170|m}} extension is planned.<ref name="western">{{cite web | url=http://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/bengaluru/Jakkur-Flying-School-Stays-Gets-Bigger-Runway/2015/04/28/article2786808.ece | title=Jakkur Flying School Stays, Gets Bigger Runway | work=[[The New Indian Express]] | date=28 April 2015 | accessdate=29 June 2016 | author=Patil, Ramu}}</ref>

== Runway ==
Jakkur Aerodrome has a single runway, oriented 08/26 with dimensions {{convert|900|x|20|m}}.<ref name="gcm" /> However, the runway threshold on the 08 side has been [[displaced threshold|displaced]] to the east because of the obstructing flyover on the western side of the airfield.<ref name="western" /> A taxiway runs parallel to the runway on its north side.

==Government Flying Training School==
The Government of Karnataka has been operating a flying school at Jakkur Aerodrome since 1949. The Government Flying Training School (GFTS) houses [[aircraft maintenance]] facilities, an aircraft and storage [[hangar]], a library and other facilities.<ref name="infrastructure">{{cite web | url=http://gfts.kar.nic.in/Infrastructure.html | title=Infrastructure | work=Government Flying Training School, Jakkur, Bangalore | accessdate=29 June 2016}}</ref> It has a fleet of two [[Cessna 152]]s and two [[Cessna 172]]s.<ref name="newcessna" /> The school also operates [[air traffic control]] at the airfield.<ref name="infrastructure" />

== 1 (Kar) Air Squadron NCC ==
1 ([[Karnataka]]) Air Squadron [[National Cadet Corps (India)|NCC]] is a premier NCC Air Squadron of [[India]] and operates from Jakkur Aerodrome. The Unit was raised on 1 June 1954 as 1 (Mysore) Air Sqn NCC and in 1973 was designated 1 ([[Karnataka]]) Air Sqn [[National Cadet Corps (India)|NCC]]. This Unit imparts flying and institutional training to Air Wing Cadets of the NCC.
[[File:1 Kar Air Sqn NCC - Flypast.jpg|thumb|257x257px|1 (Kar) Air Sqn NCC, Unit Hq located at Jakkur Aerodrome, Bengaluru, India. In picture is the flypast over the Unit HQ during a closing ceremony of All India Vayu Sainik Camp.]]

== Other operators ==
Jakkur serves as a base for several private aviation companies, including Confident Airlines,<ref>[https://www.confident-group.com/proud-moment-confident-airlines-ltd/ Confident Airlines Maiden Flight from Jakkur Aerodrome]</ref> Jupiter Aviation Services,<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.bangaloremirror.com/bangalore/others/Rentals-down-at-airstrip-but-pvt-operators-still-unhappy/articleshow/45624743.cms | title=Rentals down at airstrip, but pvt operators still unhappy | work=[[Bangalore Mirror]] | date=24 December 2014 | accessdate=29 June 2016 | author=S., Kushala}}</ref> Agni Aviation<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/bengaluru/Govt-Flying-School-to-be-Shifted-to-HAL-Airport/2014/06/23/article2295165.ece | title=Govt Flying School to be Shifted to HAL Airport | work=[[The New Indian Express]] | date=23 June 2014 | accessdate=29 June 2016 | quote=Capt Arvind Sharma of Agni Aviation that operates from Jakkur had approached the High Court raising security concerns over the elevated road.}}</ref> and Bangalore Aerosports, which have popularised [[ultralight aviation|microlight flying]] from the airfield.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.dnaindia.com/bangalore/report-the-new-rage-in-bangalore-is-microlight-1837039 | title=The new rage in Bangalore is microlight | work=[[Daily News and Analysis]] | date=20 May 2013 | accessdate=29 June 2016 | author=C. S., Hemanth}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.deccanchronicle.com/lifestyle/viral-and-trending/290216/incredible-lite-ness-of-being.html | title=Incredible 'LITE'ness of being | work=[[Deccan Chronicle]]| date=29 February 2016 | accessdate=29 June 2016 | author=Sukumar, Sneha}}</ref>

== See also ==

* [[List of airports in Karnataka]]
{{clear}}

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

==External links==
* [http://gfts.kar.nic.in/index.html Government Flying Training School official website]

[[Category:Airports in Karnataka]]
[[Category:Airports in Bangalore]]
[[Category:1948 establishments in India]]
[[Category:Airports established in 1948]]

Jakkur Aerodrome - Revision history

CleanupBot II at 07:30, 14 August 2023