Does flying thousands of feet up in the air give you the thrills? Do you like traveling to new places and meeting new people? Becoming a Commercial Pilot is one way to give wings to those dreams. It’s also one of the most glamorous and well-paid careers in the aviation industry. Who doesn’t want to wear a crisp uniform and travel to new locations?
Everywhere you can find numerous articles and videos on how to become a doctor, an engineer, a CA, etc. But there are very few articles and videos that give you reliable information on how to become a pilot in India. This article is solely dedicated to providing you with the most accurate information on the same. There are two types of pilots in India, first, who joins the Indian Air Force, and the second who becomes a commercial pilot. In this article, the focus will be mainly on Commercial pilots.
Airline Commercial Pilots are trained professionals, behind this adventurous and enterprising career option, there is intensive training involved, explained below briefly is the training process involved
Different types of licenses:
Student Pilot License
Private Pilot License
Commercial Pilot License
Flight Instructor Rating
Airline Transport Pilot License.
1. Requirements to become a pilot:
Pass in 10+2 with physics and mathematics from a recognized board/university or its equivalent examination. Diploma courses equivalent to 10+2 with physics and mathematics are also eligible. In case your educational background is from other streams for E.g: – commerce, arts, etc you will have to appear for physics and mathematics separately from recognized open schools such as NIOS “National Institute of Open Schooling”
Student Pilots License: To be eligible for a student pilot certificate, you must be at least 16 years old and able to read, speak, write and understand English, as required by DGCA in aircraft rules 1937. SPL is issued by the respective flying schools.
Private Pilots License: Private pilot applicants must be at least 17 years old and be able to read, speak, write and understand English, as per CAR. In addition, you must complete the necessary ground and flight training requirements as required by the DGCA HOW TO BECOME A PILOT IN INDIA?
Commercial Pilots License and Flight Instructors Rating: Commercial pilot and . instructor applicants must be at least 18 years old, and as previous certificates require, must also be able to read, speak, write and understand English and also complete the necessary ground and flight training requirements as required by the DGCA as mentioned in the Aircraft rules 1937.
Airline Transport Pilots License: Must be at least 21 years at the time of application. Read more about the ATPL requirements in CAR. ATP License provides the privilege of acting as a PIC on aircraft more than 5700 KG.
2. Medical fitness
We need to be 100% sure that you are medically fit to fly before you invest your money in a pilot course as it’s a mandatory requirement. The medicals are a 2-step process.
Class 2 medicals: It can be carried out throughout India with doctors appointed by DGCA. Post completion you will be handed a CA – 35 assessment form as fitness certification and your reports will be sent to the office of DGCA for the issue of medical assessment later on you receive a final medical assessment from DGCA.
Class 1 medicals: Class 1 initial medical assessment can be carried out in only 4 cities (Mumbai, Banglore, Delhi, and Jorhat . Class 1 medical assessment date can only be requested post receiving class 2 assessment from DGCA.
File Number: This will get issued along with your class 2 assessment and will be mentioned on the class 2 assessment for your reference. This is a permanent and unique file number issued to each individual and all your documents sent to DGCA will be housed in relation to this file number.
3. Commercial Pilot License (CPL) Program
Cpl training comprises two elements, theoretical knowledge, and Flight Training. Let’s look at each one of them in more detail
Theory Papers
Computer number: To appear for theory papers you first need to obtain a computer number which can be done by following the guidelines given on the pariksha website. The application form along with required attested documents must reach the office of DGCA in 10 days from the time you fill out the online registration form otherwise the application will not be considered. Once the documents are received by DGCA you will get an email confirming the same on your registered email id.
Theory exams for all subjects are conducted 4 times a year. The theory papers are multi choice questions (MCQ) type and given that you have put enough work preparing for the exams you should be able to select the right answers. Theory papers you need to pass will depend primarily on the choice of your flight training school whether it is in India or abroad. The below table will simplify the same for your understanding.
Flight training
The next step is where the adventure begins and you will take seat in an aircraft to start your flying lessons but choosing the right institute for flight training is of paramount importance as the Skills you develop as a pilot will largely depend on the choice of your flying school.
As the saying goes, a pilot’s license in your pocket will only get you an interview, It is the quality of your flight training that will get you your Airline pilot job.
The cost of flight training is the same in India and abroad. Some of the factors you should consider before choosing a flying school are.
Where will I get DGCA approved flying schools and quality flight training providing international standard exposure
Learning to execute precision approaches.
Correct Instrument flying exposure.
Learning communication in busy international airspaces.
A good mix of flight training exposure in uncontrolled & controlled airspaces.
Cultivating the right attitude and aptitude for a successful Airline career ahead.
If you choose a flying school abroad you will have the privilege of holding a dual pilot license which can be highly advantageous in your career ahead.
For quick reference, we have simplified the minimum flight training requirements laid down by the regulator and you can refer to the same on www.dgca.gov.in
DGCA REQUIREMENTS
(TOTAL 200 HOURS OF FLIGHT TRAINING)
100 HOURS PILOT IN COMMAND (PIC)
250 NAUTICAL MILES (NM) CHECK
40 HOURS INSTRUMENT FLIGHT OUT OF WHICH 20 ON ACTUAL AND 20 SIMULATED
50 HOURS SOLO CROSS COUNTRY
15 HOURS MULTI-ENGINE + 10 HOURS ON MULTI-ENGINE SIMULATOR
300 NAUTICAL MILES (NM) CHECK
10 TAKE OFF AND LANDING BY NIGHT
On clearing all applicable theory papers and completing flight training you will be required to undergo flying skill checks with a DGCA appointed examiner to demonstrate your flying abilities. The table covers a simplified process for flight training in India and abroad.
On successful completion of your skill checks, submit required documents with your flying logbook to DGCA for the issue of your Commercial Pilot License.
4. Cost of completing the training: Aviation is one of the most expensive fields with career prospects. CPL training cost will be around 35-40 Lakhs and type rating cost another 12-17 Lakhs. Plan your finances ahead before enrolling for a ground class.
5. ‘The Ground School’ Hunt: While there are a number of options available in the market there is a reason why there are more than one option. Find the reason, conduct a study as to which training school is better in various aspects. Create a chart with the pros and cons of the aviation field and the cost involved. Consider factors like the quality of training available, faculty experience, duration, cost involved, and the learning environment provided by the institute. Narain Aviation is India’s best ground training institute with dedicated faculty for each subject, with individual instructors having over 40 years of experience in aviation. Each student is given individual attention and exam-orientated training is provided by the associate instructors. The limited number of students are only admitted to each batch to ensure the quality of training and individual attention is maintained. Training is provided in both offline and online modes, also the recorded classes are available for reference. Mock exams are conducted weekly which ensure to monitor the student progress continuously. Narain Aviation boasts the highest pass rate in the country with 90% of our students passing the DGCA exam in the first attempt.
He had served in the Meteorological Branch of the Indian Air Force for over 25 years. He not only has had years of experience in operational weather forecasting across the country but had also served in the capacity of Joint Director involving administrative and policy matters.
He was part of IPKF in Sri Lanka and served during various operations. He was actively involved in issuing timely forecasts for cyclones over Kutch and during earthquake at Bhuj.
He has deep knowledge of Meteorology and forecasting based on years of experience having served in most parts of the country. This practical knowledge mixed with years of teaching experience is very helpful in his current assignment.
Besides all of the above, he has had the opportunity of teaching Met for over five years to young trainee pilots at flying academies in Bidar and Hakimpet. At these places, young trainees from Fighter and Helicopter stream were trained to become pilots’ in the Indian Air Force.
A Squadron Commander in the IAF, she has handled the responsibilities of a Senior Air Traffic Controller, Radar Controller and a Duty Air Traffic Controller. She was the operational and administration head for more than 70 personnel in a squadron, which included officers and airmen.
Implementation of Airport procedures and enforcing field rules and regulations at diverse IAF bases with varied traffic conditions.
Successfully handled Aircraft operations as Senior Air Traffic controller at busy Air Force bases like Tezpur, Jodhpur, Bidar and Hakimpet which have complex flying environments, handling mixed traffic of defence as well as civil airplanes.
Successfully delivered results while working under challenging conditions and resource constraints. Possesses the ability to integrate and motivate diverse teams by creating positive work environment to facilitate high grade performance.
A retired fighter pilot, with versatile experience of 30 yrs. in the IAF, comprising Flying Training primarily, Operations and Flight Safety, apart from Surface to Air Missiles and Radars.
Over 17 yrs as a pilot, including second-in-command of a Flying Squadron. Total Flying of 2,350 hrs (4000 sorties), on Maruts, MiG-21s, Kirans, HT-2s and HPT-32s. Have force-landed aircraft without engine power twice, as a trainee (jet trainer aircraft) and as an Instructor (propeller trainer aircraft).
Qualified/Chief Flying Instructor twice at the Air Force Academy, 900 hrs instructional flying with trainees. Chief Ground Instructor at AF Stn Bidar, handling all Ground Training for flying
Commander of a Missile Squadron of 375 technical, operational and support personnel, for 3 yrs. Best Guided Weapons Squadron twice, 1997-98 and 1999-2000.
Director/Senior Flying Training Officer at HQ Training Command IAF, Bangalore for 5 yrs. Responsible for induction and operations of Hawk Advanced Jet Trainers and Flight Simulators at Bidar, Flying Instructors’ School at Tambaram and Surya Kiran Aerobatic Team (SKAT).
Qualified Flying Instructor, trained at Flying Instructors’ School, Tambaram, Chennai(1990) Second in Flying and fifth in overall merit at commissioning.
Air Marshal Ravinath Gururaj Burli (Retd) has a distinguished record of four decades of service. He has been an instructor at Flying Instructors School (FIS), Tactics And Combat Development Establishment (TACDE), Defence Services Staff College (DSSC).
He was Commandant at Air Force Academy (AFA), Dundigal, where he trained the young air force cadets learn flying training.
He brings his immense knowledge to train young students at our institute in Navigation, Instruments and Radio aids. His passion for teaching is amazing and fabulous.
Flight training
The next step is where the adventure begins and you will take seat in an aircraft to start your flying lessons but choosing the right institute for flight training is of paramount importance as the Skills you develop as a pilot will largely depend on the choice of your flying school.
As the saying goes, a pilot’s license in your pocket will only get you an interview, It is the quality of your flight training that will get you your Airline pilot job.
The cost of flight training is the same in India and abroad. Some of the factors you should consider before choosing a flying school are.
On successful completion of your skill checks, submit required documents with your flying logbook to DGCA for the issue of your Commercial Pilot License.
4. Cost of completing the training: Aviation is one of the most expensive fields with career prospects. CPL training cost will be around 35-40 Lakhs and type rating cost another 12-17 Lakhs. Plan your finances ahead before enrolling for a ground class.
5. ‘The Ground School’ Hunt: While there are a number of options available in the market there is a reason why there are more than one option. Find the reason, conduct a study as to which training school is better in various aspects. Create a chart with the pros and cons of the aviation field and the cost involved. Consider factors like the quality of training available, faculty experience, duration, cost involved, and the learning environment provided by the institute. Narain Aviation is India’s best ground training institute with dedicated faculty for each subject, with individual instructors having over 40 years of experience in aviation. Each student is given individual attention and exam-orientated training is provided by the associate instructors. The limited number of students are only admitted to each batch to ensure the quality of training and individual attention is maintained. Training is provided in both offline and online modes, also the recorded classes are available for reference. Mock exams are conducted weekly which ensure to monitor the student progress continuously. Narain Aviation boasts the highest pass rate in the country with 90% of our students passing the DGCA exam in the first attempt. 