GATI (Government Aviation Training Institute) was set up in 1946 to bring about a quantum improvement in the standards of flying and ground training of commercial pilots in the Country as Orissa Flying Club. It was merged with the Orissa government Aviation Department in 1974 and Government Aviation Training Institute (GATI) came into being. Since then, the institute has trained a large number of commercial pilots, some of whom are commanders in various airlines. GATI is a dream of Mr. Biju Patnaik, an Aeronautical Engineer, Navigator, an Ace Pilot, industrialist, an eminent freedom fighter and above all a crowning statesman of national and international repute.